How to Light a Charcoal BBQ

HOW TO LIGHT A CHARCOAL BBQ


Simple Methods to lighting a charcoal bbq fast and easy!

HOW TO LIGHT A CHARCOAL BBQ?

Whether you love the taste of roasted vegetables or the seared flavour of steak, there’s no denying that grilling is one of the best ways to prepare summer staples. Charcoal BBQ's are arguably the perfect way to get that classic “grilled” flavour, but if you’ve never used one before, you’re probably wondering how to start a charcoal grill.

Thankfully, it’s not that hard—starting a charcoal grill definitely takes getting used to, but once you’ve mastered the process, you’ll be one step closer to that perfect hamburger. And even better, you’ll be able to show off at the next backyard barbecue.


METHOD ONE: CHARCOAL CHIMNEY

STEP ONE: FILL CHIMNEY WITH CHARCOAL

Fill the chimney with the appropriate amount of charcoal. A standard chimney holds about 100 briquets. But you may not need that many. The amount of BBQ you need will vary based on your specific BBQ and heat requirements.

STEP TWO:
ADD NEWS PAPER & LIGHT IT

Add one or two sheets of newspaper, following the instructions on the chimney. Light the newspaper in several spots. As the newspaper burns in the chamber below, the flames light the edges of the charcoal above. Peek through the vents of the chimney to check if the coals have started and the edges of the coals have turned gray.

STEP THREE:
POUR IT INTO YOUR BBQ

After about 10 minutes, you will see the coals starting to glow through the vents and flames starting to flicker over the top layer of coals. Pour them out into a pile and wait until the coals are mostly covered in ash and gray in color. Then spread the coals out. The entire process takes approximately 15 minutes.


METHOD TWO:
LIGHTER FLUID

Lighter fluid is a method well-loved by dads and granddads around the world. Although, often people light inconsistently, or overcompensate and add more fluid than is necessary. If you’re opting for lighter fluid, we recommend following these steps.

STEP ONE:
GROUP THE COALS IN A PYRAMID

Arrange your charcoal into a pyramid shape. Make sure you have a large base, then stack the coals into smaller and smaller layers.

Use more coal in cold or wet weather for a longer burn.

STEP TWO:
POUR A GENEROUS AMOUNT OF LIGHTER FLUID ON THE COALS

Generously apply lighter fluid to the stack of coals and then allow it to soak in for 3-5 minutes so that when you light the grill, the lighter fluid doesn’t burn off the coal immediately.

Pour carefully to avoid getting lighter fluid on yourself. If you spill any while pouring, change clothes or thoroughly clean up the spill before lighting the grill.

STEP THREE:
ADD A TOUCH MORE FLUID

Just a touch more light fluid just to re-wet the coals. This will help the coals light faster.

STEP FOUR:
LIGHT THE CHARCOAL WITH A LONG MATCH OR LIGHTER

Light it in 1-3 places on the moistened coal and allow it to spread to the drier coal.

STEP FIVE:
LET IT BURN FOR 10-15 MINUTE

The coal will heat up and the lighter fluid will burn off. You’re ready to start cooking once the coal is a white-grey colour and glowing red at the center.

Wait until the coals are ready to begin grilling. If you start cooking your food before the lighter fluid burns off, your steak or chicken will taste like petroleum!

Do not add more lighter fluid to your grill once the coals are burning. It won’t make the fire heat up faster and you may burn your hands.

STEP SIX:
ARANGE THE CHARCOALS & REPLACE THE GRILL

The briquettes should spread out on the bottom of the grill slightly past the area where you place your food to allow for even cooking.

To grill thicker meat like steak, make the charcoal higher on one side than the other. You will start cooking the meat on the side with more charcoal. When the outside is cooked to your preference, finish cooking the meat on the side with less charcoal.


PRODUCTS TO HELP YOU LIGHT YOUR CHARCOAL!

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1kg Beech Lump Charcoal, BBQ Accessories, LotusGrill

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HOW TO LIGHT A CHARCOAL BBQ


Simple Methods to lighting a charcoal bbq fast and easy!

HOW TO LIGHT A CHARCOAL BBQ?

Whether you love the taste of roasted vegetables or the seared flavour of steak, there’s no denying that grilling is one of the best ways to prepare summer staples. Charcoal BBQ's are arguably the perfect way to get that classic “grilled” flavour, but if you’ve never used one before, you’re probably wondering how to start a charcoal grill.

Thankfully, it’s not that hard—starting a charcoal grill definitely takes getting used to, but once you’ve mastered the process, you’ll be one step closer to that perfect hamburger. And even better, you’ll be able to show off at the next backyard barbecue.

METHOD ONE: CHARCOAL CHIMNEY

STEP ONE:
FILL THE CHIMNEY WITH CHARCOAL

Fill the chimney with the appropriate amount of charcoal. A standard chimney holds about 100 briquets. But you may not need that many. The amount of BBQ you need will vary based on your specific BBQ and heat requirements.


STEP TWO:
ADD NEWS PAPER & LIGHT IT

Add one or two sheets of newspaper, following the instructions on the chimney. Light the newspaper in several spots. As the newspaper burns in the chamber below, the flames light the edges of the charcoal above. Peek through the vents of the chimney to check if the coals have started and the edges of the coals have turned gray.


STEP THREE:
POUR IT INTO YOUR BBQ

After about 10 minutes, you will see the coals starting to glow through the vents and flames starting to flicker over the top layer of coals. Pour them out into a pile and wait until the coals are mostly covered in ash and gray in color. Then spread the coals out. The entire process takes approximately 15 minutes.

METHOD TWO: LIGHTER FLUID

Lighter fluid is a method well-loved by dads and granddads around the world. Although, often people light inconsistently, or overcompensate and add more fluid than is necessary. If you’re opting for lighter fluid, we recommend following these steps.

STEP ONE:
GROUP THE COALS IN A PYRAMID

Arrange your charcoal into a pyramid shape. Make sure you have a large base, then stack the coals into smaller and smaller layers.

Use more coal in cold or wet weather for a longer burn.


STEP TWO:
POUR A GENEROUS AMOUNT OF LIGHTER FLUID ON THE COALS

Generously apply lighter fluid to the stack of coals and then allow it to soak in for 3-5 minutes so that when you light the grill, the lighter fluid doesn’t burn off the coal immediately.

Pour carefully to avoid getting lighter fluid on yourself. If you spill any while pouring, change clothes or thoroughly clean up the spill before lighting the grill.


STEP THREE:
ADD A TOUCH MORE FLUID

Just a touch more light fluid just to re-wet the coals. This will help the coals light faster.


STEP FOUR:
LIGHT THE CHARCOAL WITH A LONG MATCH OR LIGHTER

Light it in 1-3 places on the moistened coal and allow it to spread to the drier coal.


STEP FIVE:
LET IT BURN FOR 10-15 MINUTE

The coal will heat up and the lighter fluid will burn off. You’re ready to start cooking once the coal is a white-grey colour and glowing red at the center.

Wait until the coals are ready to begin grilling. If you start cooking your food before the lighter fluid burns off, your steak or chicken will taste like petroleum!

Do not add more lighter fluid to your grill once the coals are burning. It won’t make the fire heat up faster and you may burn your hands.


STEP SIX:
ARANGE THE CHARCOALS & REPLACE THE GRILL

The briquettes should spread out on the bottom of the grill slightly past the area where you place your food to allow for even cooking.

To grill thicker meat like steak, make the charcoal higher on one side than the other. You will start cooking the meat on the side with more charcoal. When the outside is cooked to your preference, finish cooking the meat on the side with less charcoal.

 

PRODUCTS TO HELP YOU
LIGHT YOUR CHARCOAL

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