How To Light Your Charcoals

Light your charcoals without lighter fluid.

When you use charcoal lighter fluid or instant light charcoals you are actually putting toxins into your cooked or smoked food. The worse to use is charcoal lighter fluid.  When you douse your coals, you are actually splattering the fluid within the cooking chamber, and those fluids don't burn out, but rather smolder into your food.  Much the same with instant lighting charcoals.  If your coals are not completely burned (grey in color) you're putting toxins into your food.  You will also experience a slight chemical taste in your foods.  Get the most out of your barbeque grilling and smoking- toss the fluid and the instant starter charcoal.

There are many ways to light your charcoals. We're going to concentrate on the best and most reliable method. Here's how to properly light your charcoals for grilling and smoking food.

First you've got to get your hands on a charcoal chimney starter. They're inexpensive, easy to use and will start your charcoal briquettes with ease. A good charcoal chimney starter will cost under twenty dollars.

The Charcoal Chimney Starter is a cylinder tube with two chambers. One on the bottom having holes used for air circulation and holds the paper for fuel, and one on the top that holds the charcoal for lighting.

In the picture on the right you'll notice the chimney is upside down and filled with paper- the fuel used to ignite and start your charcoals.

It's always best to use a full sheet and a half of newsprint for proper lighting of charcoals. Stuffing too much paper into the chamber will prevent the fuel (paper) from burning and eventually igniting your coals.