5 Easy Ways, How To Light Charcoal Grill At Home For Beginners – Grilling is one of the best ways to prepare your food. Having your own cooking roasted vegetable or even the seared flavor of steak is the most interesting part in preparing your own-cooked meals.
However, as beginners, you might get confused on how to light charcoal at home. At this point, all you need to have is a simply fire and the charcoal itself. Then find the appropriate method based on your preference to ignite the fire, light the coals and start your grilling.
Before starting to light the charcoal, here are some tips for you to do to make your grilling experience perfect.
1. Clean and maintain your grill
Keeping your grill clean and your grates well-oiled delivers the best tasting food and prevents it from sticking. It will also make your grill last longer and prevent grease fires. So, before you get started, clean your grill thoroughly. Remove any ash or grease left behind from the last time you grilled and wipe down the grate(s) with fresh cooking oil.
2. Set up in an open space
Before you start grilling, set up your barbecue in an open space away from fences or trees. Have a fire extinguisher or a bucket of water nearby, and keep kids and pets well away.
3. Buy good-quality charcoal
Try and buy good-quality sustainably produced charcoal – look for coconut charcoal or lump charcoal . This lights easily, burns better and won’t taint the flavor of the food, unlike charcoals containing accelerants.
So, here you can follow our five easy ways how to light charcoal grill at home for beginners based on methods you prefer.
How to Light a Charcoal Grill with Lighter Fluid
Lighting charcoal grill with lighter fluid is a faster and easier way than others. If you are intended to start your barbeque party but getting confused of how to light the charcoal, this method is very preferable to try for beginners.
Step 1: Arrange the coals
Arrange your charcoal into a pyramid shape. Make sure you have a large base, then stack the coals into smaller and smaller layers.
Step 2: Carefully pour lighter fluid evenly over coals
Pour a generous amount of lighter fluid onto the coal.
Step 3: Wait 30 seconds
Let it soak in for 3-5 minutes so that when you light the grill, the lighter fluid doesn’t burn off the coal immediately.
Step 4: Light the coals
Using a grill lighter or match with a long nose, evenly light the coals in several places. Do not add more lighter fluid once your coals are lit. You also can use a piece of paper to make it easier to burn.
Step 5: Top with grate when coals turn white
The coals will catch fire, then turn white once they are ready to be used. Spread them evenly, then top with your grate and start grilling.
How to Light a Charcoal Grill with a Chimney
Lighting charcoal with a chimney is a simple solution to getting a stubborn charcoal fire going. You don’t have to use any lighter fluid. Just fill the chimney with coals, add your newspaper, and it does the rest.
Step 1: Add charcoal to the chimney
Fill your chimney with the amount of charcoal specified by your product. You want your charcoal to reach the top, but not overflow.
Step 2: Place starters under the chimney
You can use any items that catch the fire easily. Many people use newspaper or old paper. This will help you to lit the flame.
Step 3: Light the chimney
Light the starters on fire under the chimney. Keep an eye on the coals for the next 10 or so minutes.
Step 4: Pour coals onto the grill when you see flames
Pour the coals over the chimney thoroughly
Step 5: Top with grate when coals turn white
After a few more minutes, once the coals have turned white, spread them and cover with a grate and get to grilling.
How to Light a Charcoal Grill with a Match Light Charcoal
Another famous method to light charcoal is by using a match light charcoal. This charcoal contains just the right amount of lighter fluid and features which have more edges for faster lighting, so you can quickly light the grill with just a match.
Step 1: Choose the best match light charcoal
The best match light charcoal will give you the best result in grilling. There are some recommendation we offer you as beginners.
Step 2: Arrange the coals into a neat mound
Arrange the coals into a mound or pyramid shape. This will help increase coal-to-coal contact and help the fire spread — so you are ready to cook faster.
Step 3: Place starters under the coals
This will help you easily light the coals. You can use any easy-burned thing such as paper and stereo foam.
Step 4: Light the coals
Light it in 1-3 places the of coal and allow it to spread to another coal.
Step 5: Top with grate when coals turn white
You’re ready to start cooking once the coal is a white-gray color and glowing red at the center.
How to Start a Charcoal Grill with an Electric Starter
Step 1: Arrange your coals
Spread your coals on the grill and arrange into a pyramid shape.
Step 2: Place the nose of the starter in the middle of your coals
Plug your electric fire-starter in, then place the nose directly in your coals. It will begin heating immediately.
Step 3: When you see sparks, pull the lighter slightly away
Once the sparks begin, pull the lighter a few inches away from the pyramid.
Step 4: Keep lighting until the fire starts
Keeping the fire-starter a few inches away from the stack, move it around and heat the coals until the fire starts. Remove the starter.
Step 5: Top with grate when coals turn white
Once the coals are entirely white, spread the coals and add the grate.
Whether you prefer a lighter fluid, chimney, match light charcoal or an electric starter, once you master a method, you’ll get your perfect grilling skill.
