Three Easy Ways to Light Lump Charcoal

Firstly, while choosing between charcoal or wood, we highly recommend charcoal. Lump charcoal comes in big sizes that make it easy to light and work with. We recommend three easy ways to light lump charcoal for the smoker, the grill, and the pit.

 

First method is the chimney. Using the chimney is a clean method that involves four simple steps.

Step 1: Fill the Chimney

Take old newspapers and place the crumpled pages underneath the chimney. Do not overfill, to ensure air can enter the chimney.

Step 2: Put Charcoal in the Chimney

Next, put some charcoal in the chimney. You can break pieces that are too big to fit into the chimney into smaller pieces.

Step 3: Light the Chimney

After placing the charcoal on the top and the newspapers at the bottom, light the newspapers using a small torch. You may need to light many sides to start the fire. In 15 or 20 minutes, you will have a nicely burned-down piece of charcoal that you can use to cook.

Make sure to let the charcoal finish popping and wait for the charcoal to burn down before putting food on top. This way you do not have any of the charcoal popping on your food.

Step 4: Transfer the Charcoal from the Chimney to The Pit

Once the charcoal has burned down and is hot, gray around the edges, it is time to transfer the charcoal from the chimney into the pit. For safety, use a barbecue mitt to pick up the chimney. Next, pour the charcoal into the bottom of the grill or the pit. Spread out the hot pieces evenly.

 

The second method is using a turbo flame with an extended lighter/small torch used to start the charcoal.

Step 1: Put the Charcoal onto the Grill

Put the charcoal onto the grill and then mound it, to get some air inside.

Step 2: Extend the Lighter Past the Turbo Flame

Next, use the turbo flame product together with a lighter. Extend the lighter past the nozzle of the turbo flame, to get the flame started.

As the flame gets going, it usually sparks again. You can get about 15 minutes of the turbo flame before the can runs dry.

 

The third method,  you can turn on lump charcoal using lighter fluid. This method works well and is well-loved but needs to be executed safely.

Step 1: Arrange the Charcoal

Arrange the charcoal as a mound, with a large base that will help increase the cross-section for the fire to spread quickly.

Step 2: Pour the Lighter Fluid

Pour the lighter fluid on the top or sides of the charcoal pile and light it up immediately. While pouring, remember to follow lighter fluid instructions to keep safe. Remember, not to pour the lighter fluid on flaming coals, or heated coals, to avoid igniting the fire dangerously and intensely.

Step 3: Let Charcoal Absorb the Lighter Fluid

Wait till the charcoal absorbs the lighter fluid to light. Once the lighter fluid burns off and the charcoal is covered with gray ash, it is ready to use as lump charcoal. After this 15-minute process, the charcoal can catch fire and be spread out on your grate to use in the grill.

With this information, lump charcoal is not only easy to light but also made from pure natural hardwood that leaves your food with stronger and better flavors.