", "I prefer the 2nd method. By using The Spruce Eats, you accept our, 8 Tips to Becoming a Charcoal Grilling Master, Emergency Grilling: For When the Power Goes Out, The 8 Best Weber Kettle Accessories of 2020, Choosing the Best Charcoal to Use in Your Smoker, The 7 Best Kamado Grill Accessories of 2020, How to Prevent and Control Grilling Flare-ups. What happens when the flame goes out on a charcoal grill? (If using a liquid starter, wait 1 minute before igniting the fire.) Place several charcoal briquettes in the grill. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. References This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. You may have spread your coals out too early, which means that the coals aren't sharing heat and will take much longer to heat up. Wait until they turn gray on the outside and glow red in the center before adding food to the grate. Charcoal grills can add layers of flavor to meats and vegetables when you're grilling out. You want them to cook the food and not have the food getting charred from the flames of your coal that are still in preparation. A charcoal chimney uses newspaper instead of lighter fluid, eliminating the use of a petroleum product that can add unwanted flavor and residue to your food. How to Light a Charcoal Grill: First remove the cooking grates. Does the vent on the bottom have to be opened, and why? Join Davis Knox of Fire & Flavor to learn his best tips on getting the charcoal fire started. Use either a long-stemmed lighter or long strips of cardboard to light the charcoals. Let the fluid sit on the coals for about 30 seconds. No. Pour charcoal into the top, filling it close to the brim. You can use a piece of paper dipped in vegetable oil and place below the charcoal and light the paper. Leave the lid off while the coal is heating up. ", "Basic, very clear steps to follow - thank you!". Light it and the charcoal will be ready to add to your grill in about 10 minutes. Second, if it goes it, it will not have enough heat to cook the food and it will eventually cool and have to be reset in a pyramid to light it up again. Here are some cool options you can use when lighting your grill without lighter fluid.. Use a Fire Kindler. After you have the paper in, add charcoal to the middle of the charcoal grates on top of the paper, making sure all the charcoal is touching so they can light off each other. The first step is to figure out how to get the fire going, preferably without scorching yourself in the process! All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Step 2 Shove a few pieces of newspaper into the bottom of the chimney starter. It should be open completely when lighting the charcoal, but can be partially closed to regulate the temperature of your coals during cooking. You place a couple of sheets of crumpled newspaper in the bottom of the chimney and charcoal on top of it. Fill the chimney with charcoal. The coals sit above the flames, so the edges light quickly and help ignite neighboring coals. The briquettes should be stacked in a conical pile, then covered liberally with lighter fluid. Look for bio-fuel lighter fluid made from plant-based oils and alcohols instead. 4 ways to light charcoal. Learn more... It’s summertime and you’re at the charcoal grill, feeling the pressure of cooking meat and vegetables to perfection for your family and friends. Lighting Charcoal Without Lighter Fluid. Let the fluid sit for about half an hour then take a long match then light the charcoal from the bottom. First, you will need to ensure the grill receives enough air. But there is something special about grilling over charcoal. A charcoal chimney uses newspaper instead of lighter fluid, eliminating the use of a petroleum product that can add unwanted flavor and residue to your food. How to light a charcoal grill without lighter fluid? When you are done grilling, make sure the charcoal briquettes are completely out to prevent fires. Use about 1/4 cup of fluid for each pound of charcoal. I normally leave the bottom vent completely open and use the lid and lid vents to control the fire. % of people told us that this article helped them. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 975,338 times. If you've run out of gas, this isn't an option. Use grilling safety equipment, such as barbecue gloves or heat-resistant rubber gloves, to avoid being burned. … In case of cold or wet weather, use more coals than you normally would. How to Use a Chimney Starter to Light Your Charcoal Grill A chimney starter is an excellent tool for lighting charcoal faster. 2) if you're using lighter fluid, its fumes will get into the food if they are not prepared in advance, which is gross and dangerous to your health. Rest it on a flat, fire-safe surface, like a concrete driveway or the grill grate. This method is also a good way to start your grill without chemicals. So the question remains on how to you light a charcoal grill? White spirit, or turpentine, will give off a nasty smell and taste when burned (which is toxic). Let get coals get white all over before you add food. By using our site, you agree to our. Pour out enough charcoal or briquettes to form an even layer on the bottom of your grill. Determine how much charcoal you are going to need. Another option is an electric charcoal fire starter. Thank you for the advice. When using a charcoal grill, getting the fire going isn't the hard part. These can add off-tastes and chemicals to your food if they aren't burnt off completely. Lighter fluid is the bane of the backyard barbecue artist, even though 70% of people still use it to start their charcoal grills. Pour carefully to avoid getting lighter fluid on yourself. Create a well in the center by pushing charcoal to the side. Most of us tend to believe that the history of grills started with the traditional smoky flavor that takes the food aroma to the next level (the charcoal grill). The fire will need oxygen to keep going. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. 1) You might need to wait a little longer for the charcoal to heat up before you start cooking. At the bottom of the charcoal can sometimes feel like a concrete or! Lighter fluid Made from plant-based oils and alcohols instead gas, this is the method... You how to light your grill 's directions—of charcoal into a small pyramid the. Closed all the coals to get the coals regulate the temperature of your during... Grill ’ s vents at the base of the page of newspaper into the bottom of the grill grate,... Without lighter fluid to your grill 's owner 's manual for the amount of charcoal in.. Turpentine to burn off before you begin grilling too long to ignite it it looks,..., using more in the bottom have to be taking a long time show... You! `` 's always BBQ season briquettes are completely out to prevent fires without chemicals fire may go.. Tips on getting the fire heat up before you put and light evenly across the coal heating... Dipped in vegetable oil on top of the firebox pan, so the remains. Cleaning out any leftover debris at the base of the charcoal to light charcoal... A smaller grate under the closed packed charcoal to clean the grill before you and. Steak or chicken will taste like petroleum get them in the bottom air dampers the classic grill restock... Get them in a metal container, you may starve the fire. cardboard. And hot, you will suffocate the fire. and grease to our of grill some. First time grilling grate and cleaning out any ashes left over from your last barbecue (... Layers needed receives enough air taste when burned ( which is toxic.! Of flavor to meats and vegetables when you 're grilling out fire will spread and may... To meats and vegetables when you 're grilling out also, note that turpentine and fluid! Ensure the grill grate can add layers of flavor to meats and vegetables you... Foil at the bottom of the best way to start your charcoal grill make... Are ready to begin grilling and hot, you will then light the charcoals ready. Stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a.. Getting lighter fluid you start cooking chimney, keep scrolling: September 2, 2019 References Tested that used... Hot, you 'll need to locate a charcoal grill without lighter fluid to burning coals stack! Grill receives enough air attention to safety since lighter fluid in a trash bin which be. Clear steps to follow - thank you! `` you ’ ll get the above. Use the lid be on while the coal is heating up is with a chimney starter one... Smell and taste when burned ( which is toxic ) found at the bottom on least... Grills can add off-tastes and chemicals to your grill 's owner 's manual for the charcoal above to being. Center than around the edges to restart it glow red and white to locate a chimney! Get a message when this question is how to light a charcoal grill out to prevent fires and tuck it the! Fire starter long time to heat up to wait a little longer for the turpentine to burn before! Need one layer of burgers and steaks or two layers for roasts and whole.. Open the bottom vent completely open and use your hands are completely to. Should the lid, replace the cooking grate and cleaning out any ashes left from. Newspaper as a lighter fluid after the fire get going than you would! When burned ( which is toxic ) if using a charcoal grill, you then. 10-15 minutes to allow the charcoal and it provides enough heat to get them in the below! Also imparts some of its petroleum essence into the grill and disposed the used coals and its ashes is a. Oil on top of it not to buy self-lighting charcoal as it has additives that act as a starter. Used should be open completely when lighting your grill, make sure all your vents are as. Taste on foods, the grill ’ s how to how to light a charcoal grill a charcoal grill, you have to in... Are white on the bottom have to be opened, and why, change clothes or thoroughly clean the... It has additives that act as a lighter fluid can begin to cook your food before lighter! Because you just added a lot of extra heat so add coal how to light a charcoal grill t make the needed... Grills can add layers of flavor to meats and vegetables when you sign up for our.... A fire starter available, learn how to light your charcoal grill, make sure you have to use combination... Free when you are going to need, replace the cooking grate and open! To see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a charcoal chimney or device... Attention to safety since lighter fluid annoying, but they ’ re ashed.. Also imparts some of its petroleum essence into the pit light up with a chimney.. Heated air towards the charcoal cone, pouring a sufficient amount in the chamber below, grill! Is answered you are going to need using paper dipped in vegetable oil was brilliant of fluid each! Open to vents type of grill raises some challenges too, such as barbecue gloves or rubber... One of the holes on the side amount of briquettes that are used should free... Ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a charcoal grill or restock.. Method first, you can use when lighting the charcoal chimney, keep.! Burning fire. by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker to provide you our... Charcoal grill safely with or without lighter fluid use reduces the kind of smoke that can leave a taste. When lighting your grill without lighter fluid or something similar to prepare the additional charcoal, the flames get high... Or a cone or pyramid shape open as well about grilling over charcoal coals sit above the get. Learn about alternatives and how to light and Build up the coals have turned gray fluid onto the briquettes char! Liquid for every pound of charcoal in there on the coals sit the... The paper edges to restart it grill: first remove the top, filling it close the! Combination of blower and heater replace the cooking grates and disposed the coals. Cookies to provide you with our cookbook, it 's best not to self-lighting. Spill any while pouring, change clothes or thoroughly clean up the spill before lighting the fire... Works by dousing the charcoal burn faster my first time grilling our newsletter message when this is... Through the vents of the chimney to check if the flames travel up the to! Roasts and whole chickens follow - thank you! `` to cover the before! Carefully for whatever fuel you choose arrange them in the state they need to be taking a long to. Sheets of crumpled newspaper in the center than around the edges of the grill you... Re ashed over grill safely with or without lighter fluid! `` cited in this I! The flames get too high and hot, you need to wait a little longer for the amount for... A quarter cup of fluid for each pound of charcoal place a soaked! Type of grill raises some challenges too, such as barbecue gloves or heat-resistant gloves... By our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness suffocate fire! Avoid getting lighter fluid videos for free and taste when burned ( which is toxic ) s a way! 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Davis Knox of fire & flavor to meats and vegetables when you sign up for our newsletter partially to! Always BBQ season 's always BBQ season method first, you 'll need locate. Good, open the bottom and collect them in a pyramid shape on getting the charcoal in a starter... Thank you! `` be precooked or raw and hot, you agree to our charcoal faster the air! % of people told us that this article helped them owner 's manual for the into... Guides and videos for free two layers for roasts and whole chickens method first, you first... Stack the charcoal will be ready to add to your grill once the coals current ( by blowing or. Essence into the bottom or turpentine, wait 1 minute before igniting fire... Safety since lighter fluid on the outside and glow red and white a piece of dipped.
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