How to Use a Charcoal Barbecue

Grilling with charcoal is one of the oldest forms of outdoor food preparation. Grilling can add unique flavor to a variety of meats and vegetables. Learning to use a grill is relatively easy, as long as you have the right materials and exercise caution with matches, lighter fluid and fire.

Things You'll Need

• Charcoal grill
• Charcoal briquettes or natural charcoal
• Lighter fluid
• Long matches or grill lighter
• Poker
• Food

Instructions

1. Clean out the grill, making sure there is no residual ash or other debris.

2. Ensure that the bottom and top vents of the grill are open.

3. Fill the bottom part of the grill with the amount of charcoal it will take to cover the whole bottom of the grill--but stack it in a pyramid shape.

4. Add lighter fluid, especially to the bottom layer of the pyramid. Add enough to get the coals wet but not enough so that it pools at the bottom of the grill.

5. Light the charcoal on the bottom of the pyramid using a long match or grill lighter. Make sure you light both sides of the pyramid to ensure even burning.

6. Let the coals burn until the flames die down, which usually takes about 10 minutes.

7. Take the poker, once the flames have subsided, and spread the coals out so they evenly cover the floor of the grill. After 20 minutes, the coals should be covered with a layer of grayish-white ash, which means the grill is ready for use.

8. Place meat or vegetables on the grill and cook, turning them occasionally so all sides are exposed to the flames below the grill.

9. Scrape any excess food off the grill rack when you are finished cooking, and cover it with a lid, closing the vents so the charcoals will stop burning.

Tips & Warnings

• Never add lighter fluid directly to coals that are already burning--even if there is no visible flame; once the lighter fluid vapor comes into contact with the heat, it can erupt into a dangerously large flame.

References

• The Man Cookbook
• Sizzlers Ranch