How to Grill With Charcoal

Explore Guides

Or use your email address

Create an Account Forgot Password?

Liked

Start the Guide ›

Skip the lighter fluid for a great taste.

by Liz Lufkin

158 Likes

5.4k Views

Step 1 of 10

Grilling with charcoal or mesquite instead of gas is cheap, fast and easy, especially if you use a chimney. Plus, it tastes better. Here's why.

Step 2 of 10

To start, remove the upper grill and clear ashes from bottom. Rotate the handle on bottom of your grill back and forth to disperse ashes into the catcher. Discard.

Step 3 of 10

This is what the bottom of your grill should look like. Note the open vents - this is essential for airflow. The draft lights the briquettes, which makes for a nice, hot flame.

Step 4 of 10

Next, fill chimney with briquettes. Crumple newspaper, put in bottom of chimney and light it via holes in bottom.

Step 5 of 10

More on how to light the chimney.

Step 6 of 10

Tip #1: We find the Kingsford brand briquettes burn longer and don't crumble like other charcoal. Mesquite tastes great but is hard to light. If you want the mesquite taste, just mix the two.

Step 7 of 10

Tip #2: Having problems getting the fire going? Use two chimneys! Here's how.

Step 8 of 10

Coals should be glowing red and covered in ash. This takes about 15 - 20 minutes. Keep a close eye on them for the first few minutes, and add more paper if they do not appear to be lighting.

Step 9 of 10

When the coals are ready, empty into lower grill and spread evenly. Put upper grill back on, let it heat up for a few minutes and scrape it clean. You're ready to go!

Step 10 of 10

Check out those grill marks!

You're Done!

Start over

This guide was made by:

Liz Lufkin

Following

Explore more great guides:

Lifestyle

How to Survive Black Friday 2011

by Liz Lufkin

642

Gardening

How to Make a Succulent Garden Centerpiece

by shmarz 🌵

519

Gardening

How to Make Your Own Herb Garden

by Annie Lackner

683

7.1k

How to Grill Bacon Wrapped Shrimp, Steak & Veggie Kabobs

by Donnie Simmons

Food

How to Grill Three Cheese Portobello

by Donnie Simmons

106

1.2k

Food

How to Cook Grilled Pizza With Prosciutto and Onion

by Christopher Keohane

277

4.4k

Leave a Comment

Bark! I would love to it this! I will talk to humans about this today.

Cherry The Dalmatian 11 months ago

I. Want. That. Steak.

Kiel Challen last year

Great guide! Time to BBQ!🔥

Ryan Downer last year

That was a very helpful. I just bought and put together a new smoker grill. I have never used a chimney but I am going to start today. Thanks for the tip.

Dusty Adams last year

Great guide! Thanks for the 2 chimney tip.

Moe A last year

I love the tip on using two chimneys. That is great!!

Timothy Swieter last year

Liz....yes it us a little harder to start because there is no accelerant added to the charcoal. It's pure. Chimney is a must. Place starter ( I use a wax/wood based cube like you use for starting a fireplace). You can get them anywhere especially your local supermarket and they are very cheap. $2 should last you many months because you can cut them in pieces. Place at bottom of chimney before placing lump charcoal on top. Lift chimney up and light starter from underside of chimney. There should never be any smoke at all. PLEASE don't become one of those people who balls up newspaper and makes a smokey mess. Paper will not burn long enough to start charcoal. I know....that used to be me. Good luck. I will make a video next week showing how to start it. My first Snap.

Renee Vee last year

1 Weber Grill

1 Chimney Grill Starter

Briquettes

Newspaper

Matches

1 Grill brush

1 Grilling spatula

Download
Explore Guides
Blog
About
FAQ
Contact Us
Terms
Privacy

Explore more great guides:

Sign In

Create a New Account

Join Snapguide and share what you know. Already have an account? Sign in here.