Whether you’re grilling up some steaks for a summer cookout or some hot dogs for a backyard barbecue, charcoal grills are the perfect way to enjoy that smoky flavor in your food. But how do you light a charcoal grill? We’ve got all the tips and tricks you need to get your charcoal grill ready for cooking in no time!
In this quick read, we outline 3 different ways that you can use to easily light your charcoal grill, so let's get going!
The Chimney Starter Method
The chimney starter is an increasingly popular way to get charcoal grills started. A chimney is essentially two metal cylinders connected by a metal grate at the bottom, and there are often some small holes in the chimney for ventilation.
To use a chimney, first, simply stuff some newspaper or paper towels under the grate at the bottom of the cylinder. We personally roll newspaper into tube shapes and push it in around the outer edge of the bottom part of the cylinder, however, you can just roll newspaper into balls and stuff the lower chamber full as this works too (although we do recommend leaving a small hole in the middle to assist with airflow and the draft).
Next, add a generous amount of charcoal into the top chamber of the cylinder. Then, use a lighter to light up the paper from the bottom and let your coals burn until they turn gray on all sides (or if it's dark they will be glowing red). Once that happens which is typically after around 15-20 minutes, carefully pour them into your fire pit, arrange them how you would like to and you can begin grilling!
Just remember that the bottom of your chimney will get very hot, so you will need to put it onto your grill grate or somewhere else that can handle the burning newspaper while it's lighting up the charcoal.
Using Newspaper & Kindling to Light your Charcoal
This method perhaps takes a little more skill than the alternatives, but if you follow these tips, it's pretty easy.
Start by placing a few sheets of newspaper rolled up into balls (not too tight, and not too loose), underneath the grate that your charcoal sits on. Then put the grate that your charcoal sits on, back onto the grill.
Place a few dried twigs or kindling and a few more balls of newspaper on top of the grate, and then top with your chosen charcoal (either lump or briquettes). If you're using briquettes then spread them out in an even layer on top of the kindling, or if using lump charcoal, arrange them into a small mound in one spot over the top of the paper and kindling.
Use enough coal to cover your layers underneath, but not so much that it's smothered as you want some air to be able to circulate.
Then, use a lighter to light the paper at the bottom of the grill (we like to light the paper in a few places). Once your coal is really starting to glow red if it's dark or white-gray if it's still light (after about 15-20 minutes), then you can rearrange some of the coals from the outside to the middle so they heat up too.
Lighting Your Charcoal Grill with Lighter Fluid
The most common (yet our least favorite) way of lighting a charcoal grill is by using lighter fluid. It’s important to remember that using too much fluid isn't particularly healthy, and it will leave an unpleasant taste on your food, so if you really feel you need or want to use this method then please use lighter fluid sparingly.
First, open the vents at the bottom of the charcoal grill so air can flow in easily, creating a good draft for starting and maintaining heat.
Next, pour some lump charcoal or briquettes into the center of the grate and spread them evenly but loosely across the bottom of your grill. For lump charcoal make more of a mound shape, and for briquettes a more even distribution of the charcoal.
Then, pour 1/4 cup of lighter fluid over the briquettes and wait about 15 minutes for the fluid to absorb fully into the briquettes before trying to light them.
When ready, ignite the fluid with long-handled matches or lighters and wait until all coals are gray-white (about 15-20 minutes). Feel free to move any outer coals into the center if they aren't lighting quite as well as the inner coals.
Once all coals are hot and ashed over they’re ready to be used for cooking!
To Sum Up
Lighting a charcoal grill can sound intimidating but with just a few simple steps it doesn't have to be! With our helpful guide and easy setup instructions, anyone can become an expert at getting their grill primed and ready quickly and easily—no matter what type of fuel they choose! So before firing up that next cookout get familiar with these essential tips for lighting up your charcoal grill like a pro!
