If you’re looking to add some flavor to your outdoor cooking, a charcoal grill is a great option. But if you’ve never used one before, the process of starting a charcoal grill can seem daunting.
In this article, we’ll share our three favorite methods for starting a charcoal grill. With a little bit of preparation, you’ll be grilling like a pro in no time!
1. Light the charcoal with newspaper
One of the most common ways to light a charcoal grill is with newspaper. This method is quick, easy, and doesn’t require any special tools.
First, you’ll need to gather your supplies. You’ll need a grill, charcoal, newspaper, and a lighter or matches.
Next, you’ll want to make a small pile of charcoal in the center of your grill. Then, crumple up a few sheets of newspaper and place them on top of the charcoal.
Finally, use your lighter or matches to ignite the newspaper. Once the newspaper is burning, the flames will spread to the charcoal and light it.
Once the charcoal is lit, you can begin cooking! Be sure to wait until the coals are completely covered in gray ash before placing your food on the grill. This means they’re ready to cook on.
If you’re looking for an even easier way to light your charcoal grill, you can try using a chimney starter. This tool will help you get your coals lit quickly and easily with minimal effort.
2. Light the charcoal with a chimney starter
If you’re using a charcoal grill, you’ll need to light the charcoal before you can start cooking. There are several ways to do this, but we prefer using a chimney starter.
A chimney starter is a metal cylinder with a wire mesh on the bottom. You place the charcoal in the cylinder and then light it with a match or lighter. The fire will start to spread through the charcoal and up the sides of the cylinder. Once the charcoal is lit, you can dump it into your grill and start cooking.
Here are a few tips for using a chimney starter:
3. Light the charcoal with an electric or propane starter
If you’re using an electric starter, simply place it under the charcoal and turn it on. It will take about 10 minutes for the charcoal to be fully lit. If you’re using a propane starter, place it over the charcoal and light it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Once the charcoal is fully lit, you’re ready to start grilling!
If you don’t have an electric or propane starter, you can light the charcoal with a match or lighter. Simply place the charcoal in the grill and arrange it into a pyramid shape. Then, light a few pieces of newspaper and place them under the pyramid. Light the newspaper with a match or lighter and let the fire spread to the rest of the charcoal. Once the charcoal is fully lit, you’re ready to start grilling!
The Easiest Ways to Light a Charcoal Grill
There are a few different ways that you can light a charcoal grill. The easiest way is to use a chimney starter. Simply fill the chimney with charcoal, place it on the bottom grate of the grill, and light it with a match or lighter. The charcoal will start to glow and smoke after about 10 minutes. Once it is fully lit, you can dump the coal into the grill and begin cooking.
Another easy way to light a charcoal grill is to use self-lighting charcoal. This type of charcoal is infused with a chemical igniter that helps it to light more easily. Simply place the charcoal on the bottom grate of the grill and light it with a match or lighter. The charcoal will start to glow and smoke after about 10 minutes. Once it is fully lit, you can begin cooking.
If you don’t have a chimney starter or self-lighting charcoal, you can still light a charcoal grill using regular charcoal briquettes. Simply pile the briquettes onto the bottom grate of the grill and light them with a match or lighter. It may take longer for the briquettes to fully ignite, so be patient. Once they are lit, you can begin cooking.