Having a barbecue is always a great way of bringing family and friends together, but lighting your barbecue the wrong way can turn a good evening into a bad one.
Each type of barbecue has it’s own method of lighting it. In this guide we will show you how to light a grill properly including propane & natural gas and charcoal .
Warning: Barbecuing and grilling can be extremely dangerous. Fire and heat can be lethal so be sure to adhere to proper operation of your grill and barbecue. Also check out our BBQ safety tips for ideas of how to keep kids and pets safe.
Consider using heat-resistant gloves , have a fire extinguisher nearby, and definitely respect your local fire laws and pay particular attention to dry season warnings.
Contents showSafety concerns: Avoid adding lighter fluid to burning wood or charcoal as it could cause a serious flare up.
SEE ALSO: Best Charcoal Grills
Some types of charcoal is easily lit by a match and newspaper, whereas certain charcoal briquettes require you to follow the instructions.
Lighter fluid may also help kick start your efforts, do not use gasoline or other fuels that are unsafe for cooking.
Using a charcoal chimney starter is one of the best ways to start your coals. The process involves giving your charcoal all the oxygen it needs to catch fire and burn hot. Here are basic steps to use a charcoal chimney starter:
Charcoal takes approximately 20-30 minutes for it to be ready. The charcoal should turn a smoky white color. with hints of glowing red embers.
Giving your charcoal fire enough oxygen will make it hotter. By placing a lid on your grill, you are reducing the amount of oxygen that it can get. Therefore you might consider leaving the lid off or cracking it open to allow air to get in.
It should be noted that if you have a deep bed of hot coals, the lower layers will have more difficulty getting oxygen unless you have vents that can be opened underneath or on the sides of your grill.
SEE ALSO: Grilling In The Rain
This is a tricky question because there are 2 main factors to consider:
Some grills and smokers can last hours (2 – 5 hours), while a simple barbecue bowl with no lid might last an hour at best.
Problem keeping your charcoal lit? It could be the following:
The solution is to buy a quality bag of charcoal, give it oxygen, and protect it from the wind.
It’s going to depend on what you’re cooking and how much you plan on cooking.
If you have a lot of food to cook for a barbecue, you may need to take a break by adding fresh coals to the hot ones and allow them to become ready before resuming your cooking.
For back yard BBQ of burgers and steaks, you should have a solid layer of charcoal covering half of your grill bowl. This will allow for direct and indirect heating options.
Before starting you should familiarize yourself with the manufacturers’ safety instructions and then:
SEE ALSO: Gas VS Electric Oven
Now you should ready to start your gas grill: