Light a Charcoal Grill
Charcoal grilling can be great fun and produce great-tasting food. But whether you are camping out, tailgating, or just grilling in the backyard, you need to know how to light a charcoal grill to ensure your event stays safe. Follow these steps to produce hot coals that will cook food evenly.
Steps
- Clean any ash or dirt on the grill before beginning.
- Remove the grill grate from the grill.
- Open vents on the bottom of the grill.
- Arrange the charcoal briquettes in a pyramid at the bottom of the grill. Wait to add the grilling grid until you are ready to cook the food.
- Add lighter fluid to the charcoal briquettes. DO NOT GET LIGHTER FLUID ON YOUR SELF!! You have added enough lighter fluid when the charcoal briquettes are slightly shiny.
- Light the charcoal. Using a long match or a long lighter, light the charcoal briquettes in the grill. You are ready for charcoal grilling when they are mostly covered in ash and glow red. In general, plan on it to take about 15 minutes for the charcoal briquettes to be hot enough for charcoal grilling.
- Spread the charcoal briquettes out on the bottom of the grill according to the type of food you are cooking. Regardless of the type of food, the briquettes should spread out on the bottom of the grill slightly wider than the width of the food, to allow for even cooking. Use tongs or a spatula to spread the charcoal.
- For thinner meat, spread the charcoal evenly on the bottom of the grill.
- For thicker meat, 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.
- Replace the grilling grate. Using grilling gloves, carefully put the grilling grate in its place.
- Cook your food. The exact steps to cook the food will depend on what you are cooking.
- Finished.
Tips
- For vegetables, use a small grilling grid and an even spread of charcoal briquettes. To heat side items, such as mashed potatoes or baked beans, use an aluminum tray and an even spread of charcoal briquettes.
- Some retailers have charcoal briquettes that do not require lighter fluid available for purchase. These briquettes are very convenient for camping and other situations in which carrying lighter fluid is not desirable.
- In cool or wet weather, use more charcoal briquettes. This will help you to keep your fire hot.
- Have patience!
Warnings
- When you are done grilling, make sure the charcoal briquettes are completely out to prevent fires. Drench all of the charcoal in water and make sure it is cool enough to touch before you leave the coals behind or dispose of them.
Things You'll Need
- Charcoal briquettes
- Lighter or matches
- Charcoal grill
- Food to cook
- Grilling grid (optional)
- Aluminum tray (optional)
- Tongs or spatula
- Grilling gloves
