The Gas Grill Review and Gas Grill Rating Guide - Helping you choose the Best Gas Grill

How to Light a Charcoal Grill Without Lighter Fluid

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If you light a charcoal grill with lighter fluid, you risk having your food taste like...lighter fluid. Most experienced grillers and barbecuers will tell you that this is a much better way to get the job done.

Not only is lighter fluid dangerous, it makes your food taste horrible. Some of that can be offset by technique, but why bother when there are better ways to get the job done these days.

If you want to stink up your food, go for it. But, there are a number of alternatives to lighter fluid...

An Electric Charcoal Starter Wand is an effective way to light a charcoal grill if you have electricity available. All you have to do is place the heating element in your coals and let it do the work.

Electric charcoal starter wand; ignites charcoal without matches or lighter fluid
Safer, cleaner grilling without lighter-fluid taste and odor
Sturdy, heat-resistant plastic handle
120-volt, 500-watt electric heat element; UL-listed
Comes with stainless-steel sheath

Landmann Fire Starters are something I use fairly often. I sometimes used the compressed wood starters but these are just as effective. I've never noticed any smell from these so it's a much better experience than lighter fluid. I've also used them with a charcoal chimney (below) to get that going. I don't read newspapers so I had to come up with another option. I don't bother with a chimney with my Bubba Keg so I just throw one of these in with the lump charcoal.

Surest and quickest way to start fire in your charcoal grill, indoor fireplace, outdoor fireplace and campfire.
Clean, odorless and environmentally safe.
Easy to use, just light the wrapper.
Burns for 10 minutes. Low flame for more effective lighting of wood source.
High flash point for safer storing and shipping. Water resistant.

The Weber 7416 Rapidfire Chimney Starter is probably the best way to light a charcoal grill. There are cheaper units available but I like this one because there is more heat protection so you don't burn yourself. Weber always delivers quality, and it's still inexpensive.

All you need to do is load it up with your favorite charcoal, stuff some newspaper in the bottom, find a level place (like your grill) that won't combust and light the paper through the vents in the bottom.

Chimney starter system lights charcoal quickly and evenly
Made from aluminized steel with a stay-cool thermoplastic handle
Holds enough briquettes for a 22-1/2-inch kettle grill
Cone bottom ensures a fast start; eliminates need for lighter fluid
Measures 7-1/2 by 7-1/2 by 12 inches

Once you've selected the method to light a charcoal grill, here's what else you need to know. When the flame from your ignition source die out, that doesn't mean you've failed. So, don't run out and spray lighter fluid on it!

The flames will die down, but you need to be patient because those coals have definitely started to burn. You just can't see it yet. You need to give it time, sometimes 10-15 minutes is required.

Charcoal briquettes are ready when they begin to turn white with ash and are emitting light colored smoker. The same holds true with lump, although you won't see it turn ashen like briquettes. You will see the glow, however.

Once you've placed the burning charcoal into your grill, make sure you've set your vents to the full open positions. You will need to make adjustments to these once you've shut the lid and the grill starts coming up to the desired temperate. Different cooking methods require different temperatures, and each grill performs differently, so some experimentation and practice will be required before you know when to ratchet back the vent settings to maintain the proper temperature for your cook.

If you insist on lighting your charcoal grill with lighter fluid, here are two things to avoid...