Lighting Your Charcoal |
Starting charcoal is a right of passage to grilling. It is manly! and fun to do. But are you being safe about it? A day of grilling is better than being in the doctor's office! |
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Each newsletter, one lucky subscriber will win a free Tool Wizard Grill Brush and two Replacement pads. This is the hottest grill brush going today and you could win one! First and last names are really important so we can notify you!Lighting Your Charcoal5 Safer ways to light your charcoalOk, we all know the way most charcoal is lit. You pile 'em up, drench with lighter lighter fluid (hopefully not gasoline) and throw in the match! Not going fast enough? Grab the bottle again, aim and squeeze! Now, we're talking! Hopefully you haven't singed your eyebrows yet! There are better and safer ways! Some of the methods we will be discussing are:
Instant lighting charcoal briquettes - These are available just about everywhere the regular charcoal is located. This particular charcoal has been pre-soaked with lighter fluid. Most often you simply light the corner of the bag and the bag begins to burn and light the charcoal. As long as the charcoal is fresh, all is well and good. BUT, don't buy this for next year's cookout. The starter fluid will evaporate over time and then the charcoal becomes just like any other charcoal. Paraffin fire starters - These are really great. They are smokeless and last much longer than the instant lighting charcoal briquettes. They are wax that can be lit easily even when wet. Often they will come mixed with sawdust or other materials to give it more consistently. Gel/Paste starters - Gel/Paste fire starters are easy to use, fast and effective for starting wood and charcoal fires without flaring ups. They are non-petroleum based, usually clean ethanol alcohol. They are considered environmentally safe, burn odor-free and are smokeless. Chimney starters - You've seen these before. They are about 12 inches high and about 8 inches in diameter. You place paper or other material in the bottom, with charcoal on top. You then light the paper and the paper burns and starts the charcoal going. Real safe, real dependable. Electric starters - There are several types of these starters. They all plug into 110 volt sockets and the element heats up to start the charcoal. You have to be careful with electricity and make sure the cord is long enough to reach your barbecue pit. They don't work very well out in the country or on a picnic. |
