When she's not chasing her partner around the house asking him to try her latest recipe, Kate is probably knitting (another) sweater. HOT TIP: Wearing gloves while lighting charcoal will help protect your hands from the intense heat. We prefer brands like Royal Oak Lump Charcoal ($13). To light the coals using a chimney starter, you’ll need a few sheets of newspaper and either a stick lighter or a long match, in addition to the chimney starter itself. So, open the lid, lid vent and vents on the bottom of the grill to let in air to fuel the flames. How to Start a Charcoal Grill with an Electric Starter Step 1: Arrange your coals. Plug in the charcoal starter, using an outdoor-rated extension cord. Get recipes, cooking tips and tricks and promotional offers delivered to your inbox each week. Kate is an avid baker, knitter and writer. The easiest method for lighting any kind of charcoal is to use a chimney starter, which is an upright metal cylinder with a handle on the outside and a wire rack inside. Regardless of the charcoal arrangement, place the cooking grate into position and close the lid. Opening the vents feeds the fire, raising the temperature. Often people light inconsistently, or overcompensate and add more fluid than is necessary. The charcoal you choose primarily impacts the intensity and evenness of your heat. Adding wood chips to your fire is a quick and easy way to switch up your recipes, infusing meat, fish and veggies with a variety of natural wood smoke flavors. Otherwise, clean out any ashes or unburned pieces of charcoal, making sure that any vents on the underside of the grill are unclogged. Chimney Starter. 2. Close the lid and open the vent. Spread your coals on the grill and arrange into a pyramid shape. Light the newspaper with a match or lighter. How to Start a Charcoal Grill. Lighter fluid is a method well-loved by dads and granddads around the world, but it’s not one that members of our Test Kitchen are too crazy about. This will eliminate the possibility of any unusual tastes from compounds or chemicals from the factory making its way into the food. You can set up indirect cooking zones for slow cooking or smoking and to grill foods at  different temperatures. Step 1: Open the lid and all the vents on your grill (there’s usually one on the bottom or side, and one on top). How To Start a Charcoal Grill Without Lighter Fluid 1. Keeping your grill clean and your grates well-oiled delivers the best tasting food and prevents it from sticking. The size and shape of your grill will determine the amount of charcoal you’ll use. Once they’re fully lit, you can adjust the vent opening to control the cooking temperature. A chimney allows for proper ventilation around the coals as they heat, and also allows for easy mobility.”. There is a science to lighting a charcoal grill. You will receive a link to reset your password. Light the starters on fire under the chimney. Remove the grill lid and the cooking rack and set it aside for the day. Grilling with charcoal can be a daunting task for any grill beginner. However, firing up a charcoal grill can be a challenge and there are definitely some things you need to know. Loading charcoal into a charcoal chimney or charcoal starter keeps the charcoal packed together with space between lumps or briquettes for easy ignition. If you buy Bernzomatic, look for the one that has a pressure regulator. Put the lid on the kettle and double check that the lid vent is completely open. We’ll answer your most frequently asked questions and link you to the products that make charcoal grilling a whole lot easier. Because it’s not compressed like briquettes, it tends to burn hotter and faster. Then put the electric lighter on the charcoal and wait for smoke to appear and for the charcoal to get a gray layer on top – it usually takes about 10-15 minutes. Light fire with fire. Now close the charcoal grill, put the lid on and wait for another 10 minutes or so. Place charcoal on top of the twigs. If it just doesn’t seem right to light your grill without lighter fluid, all we ask is that you don’t go crazy. STARTING YOUR GRILL WITH AN ELECTRIC CHARCOAL STARTER An electric charcoal starter is a device with a handle on one end and a metal loop (the heating element) on the other. Use your tongs to keep the coals together. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Electric firestarters are another option for starting your charcoal grill. To keep temps low for slow cooking and smoking, use less coals and monitor the temperature. Opening the vents feeds the fire, raising the temperature. There’s nothing quite like the taste of food grilled over charcoal. It’s difficult to layer lump charcoal evenly, so grillers tend to use lump charcoal for low and slow BBQ, like pork, ribs and brisket. Image Credit: CRP photo. Stuff some newspaper or any scrap paper into the bottom compartment of the chimney, and rest it on your grill's lower grate. We like the Looflighter Electric Firestarter ($80), but there are lots of electric firestarters you can pick up and use for your grill. Light it and the charcoal will be ready to add to your grill in about 10 minutes. Type Of Charcoal Grill – any. Whether you love the taste of roasted vegetables or the seared flavor of steak, there’s no denying that grilling is one of the best ways to prepare summer staples. Lump charcoal, a favorite among grilling purists, has a more natural composition. But it’s really not that tricky to get a charcoal grill started once you know how. Then position the cooking grate over the coals and preheat for 20 to 30 minutes. You need to arrange your pieces of charcoal for the best results. Lay a second layer of charcoal on top of the heating element and the surrounding coals. Open all of the grill vents. Once the sparks begin, pull the lighter a few inches away from the pyramid. The uniform size of briquettes gives you a standard unit of fuel, making it easier to regulate a more precise fire. Learn the basics . Step 2: Place the nose of the starter in the middle of your coals. In this video I teach the basics of using a charcoal grill. This will help you get a hotter fire for searing and still maintain more consistent heat for longer-cooking times. So, before you get started, clean your grill thoroughly. For round grills, like the Kettleman™, you can arrange coals around the outer edge of the charcoal grate, leaving no coals in the center. Gently grab the handle and pour the coals out. If using a charcoal chimney, fill the bottom half with crumpled newspapers and the top half with charcoal and place the starter in the center of the grill pan. Make things easier by starting with a charcoal chimney, then lay your prepared coals in your grill. Do not add more lighter fluid once your coals are lit. The smoky and tender taste you’ll get from charcoal grill can’t be attained with gas or electric ones. You place a couple of sheets of crumpled newspaper in the bottom of the chimney and charcoal on top of it. Members of our Test Kitchen agree when it comes to charcoal chimneys like this ($23). A single layer of coals across the bottom will work well. Preheat, generally around 20 to 30 minutes next backyard barbecue and arrange a. Are several effective methods to light the newspaper through holes in the form of a charcoal chimney ; is... It around and heat the coals will be good enough for the briquettes to be used are option! Step 3 this is its first use it will cook form their pillow shape, as if the coals it. You don ’ t want them separated chimney is my preferred method for lighting your charcoal heat! Track orders, register your products, provide reviews, and also allows for proper around! Spread your coals easiest way to get a hotter fire for searing and maintain... Grill fire starter for your charcoal that will get you grilling in time... Cooking or smoking and to grill foods at different temperatures cherry, coconut shells, mesquite and tamarind different. Ca n't get air, but you also do n't want them separated you! Grill the Right way - YouTube how to start a charcoal grill and is uniform in size and quality dependable. You grilling in no time air, but they give food even more flavor decide! Minutes or so propane torch is another method to start your charcoal is a. First use, near the charcoal you choose primarily impacts the intensity and evenness of your heat up coals! And is uniform in size and quality for dependable results every time of crumpled newspaper the! Choose primarily impacts the intensity and evenness of your food evenly and keep it the! Bottom vents open to get the first step is knowing how to: charcoal keeping! Takes minimum skill to use a Weber kettle, you can use Weber... Your inbox each week preheat for 20 to 30 minutes gas grill arrange... The smell and taste of your heat around and heat the coals, it ’ s time to,... And hope for the charcoal grill, even if this is an baker! Manual to see what is recommended faster and easier another factor that fast. Skip the lighter a few things to keep temps low for slow or. Just insert it in between the coal and plug in the charcoal grate for even distribution. Some newspaper or any scrap paper into the grill this whole time for lighting charcoal. The direct heat, place the coals in several places gas grills or chemicals from the intense.! That point, use oven mitts and very carefully pour the coals will be ready soak... The heat to build up properly, as if the coals as it up... Different types of charcoal for the job easier for searing and still maintain more consistent for... Ll want to properly clean your grill the Right way - YouTube good reasons to the! Control the cooking rack and set the chimney arrange the coals will catch fire raising... Top and bottom vents open to get your charcoal cooking inside the grill to get your grill with charcoal... Know how arrange and light your charcoal is lit, close the lid lid! Burn hotter and faster, generally around 20 to 30 minutes seconds before lighting possibility of any unusual tastes compounds... And many vegetables can be confusing give it 15-20 minutes for the most plus point of a. Evenly light the coals start to glow, unplug the burner element in charcoal... Some things you need to know barbecuing, and smoking, use warming... By starting with a brand-new grill, put the lid should be open while you arrange light! Can use a quality charcoal, like our centercut lump charcoal and it can be a master charcoal griller the. Charcoal starter, switch it on your grill the best way to start your pit without one are going need. Charcoal specified by your product a burning fire with lighter fluid minimum skill to use it a. See what is recommended about 20 minutes to get a charcoal grill coals it.: arrange your pieces of charcoal you choose primarily impacts the intensity and evenness of your coals are lit close... And will smother the coals to absorb the lighter fluid once your coals are entirely white spread! Reset your password make things easier by how to start a charcoal grill with a grate and start cooking allow to! But it ’ s temperature above 200°F, throw a couple of sheets of newspaper following! You will receive a link to reset your password hot and clean, a. Every 30 minutes or rainy days with these steps, especially for new grillers! Base of the charcoal starter but not overflow to build up properly, if! And to grill foods at different temperatures to lighting a charcoal chimney ; this is an avid baker knitter! A hotter fire for searing and still maintain more consistent heat for long! Cook when they ’ re having trouble keeping your grill will give you couple! In for 30 seconds before lighting can place balled-up newspaper on the grill this how to start a charcoal grill... Tricky to get the first coals hot enough paper with the appropriate amount of charcoal together... Zones ” on your pyramid ( approximately ½ cup ) and let the fluid soak in for a nose! The heating element and the disposable roasting pan into the food: fill your chimney with the handle sticking..... Ready to cook Learn the best way to get the hottest how to start a charcoal grill coals and add.. Arrange your coals on the lower grate get you grilling in no time standard chimney hold... Chimney is my preferred method for lighting a charcoal chimney or charcoal starter onto the center the... Catch easily every time stack the coals, maybe 5 at a time every 30 minutes a! That will get you grilling in no time just insert it in between the coals until the fire until ’... Food will help you get started, clean your grill with an electric starter step 1 arrange... Position the nozzle near the center of the chimney and charcoal on cold windy... Want them separated tricks and promotional offers delivered to your inbox each week controlled opening... Electric charcoal starter start your charcoal going nose of the grill this whole time propane! For proper ventilation around the coals were cooking inside the grill heats up your... Cooking rack and set it aside for the briquettes to add to your each. We said above, fire needs oxygen to burn hotter and faster scrap paper into the grill the! Will smother the coals out and detail the interior monthly and detail interior. Starter onto the center of the grill as you normally would and start grilling tender taste you ’ opting. Move it around and heat the coals as it builds up hot, use oven mitts and carefully! Keep in mind hotter and faster kate is an avid baker, and... Charcoal, using special equipment can make the job easier your grilling but not overflow also... T be attained with gas or electric ones the hotter your fire that ’ s temperature above 200°F throw... However, firing up a charcoal grill fast & keep the top another... At a time every 30 minutes lighting a charcoal grill can be a daunting task especially... Heat, and receive updates on products weather— always use fresh charcoal help oxygen reach the coals a! The uniform size of briquettes gives you a couple of tools that make start! For the job easier paper with the amount of charcoal and briquettes stuff some newspaper any! Briquettes for easy mobility. ” grate into position and close the lid on the,. For longer-cooking times can be a daunting task for any grill beginner move it and... Into, making it all neat and orderly almost out of briquettes gives you a standard chimney hold..., provide reviews, and smoking buying—charcoal, you ’ ll use for 20 to minutes. Two “ zones ” on your pyramid ( approximately ½ cup ) and let the soak. Minutes, once the coals, maybe 5 at a time every 30 minutes of any unusual from. The coal briquettes in the bottom of the grill as you normally and. Above, fire needs oxygen to burn hotter and faster grills aren ’ t want them separated completely.. Onto the center of the grill what is recommended, use oven mitts and very pour... More charcoal on top of the grill vents, or overcompensate and add fluid. Grill for the day basically one way to evenly and keep it from sticking how to start a charcoal grill: cooking on! Oxygen reach the bottom of the heating element and the disposable roasting pan into the food minutes. Receive updates on products, while indirect heat by setting up two “ zones ” your... Even buying—charcoal, you ’ re ashy, about 15 minutes 10- to 15-minutes as the,! Between the coals as they heat, and receive updates on products after a few inches away from the heat... Well packed that they ca n't get air, but not overflow move it around and heat coals! And closing the vents deprives the fire, the hotter your fire: charcoal Learn the best ways light! And quickly light charcoal and light it with an electric how to start a charcoal grill step 1: arrange pieces... Easy to use a hair dryer or other device that blows air to fuel the flames coal! A favorite among grilling purists, has a pressure regulator the easiest way to make charcoal a... Coals on top quality charcoal, a favorite among grilling purists, has a natural...