How to Start a Barbecue Grill Without Fuel

Use a charcoal chimney for starting a barbecue grill.

In the interest of avoiding the use of petroleum products, you may wish to start your charcoal barbecue grill without using lighter fluid. Using a charcoal chimney is a fast and reliable alternative. In addition, you will save money by not buying starter fuel. Another benefit is that you will not expose your grilled food to harsh chemicals found in starter fuel. Charcoal chimneys are metal cylinders with heat-proof handles and a screen or grate a few inches from the bottom. Charcoal chimneys are available at garden centers, grilling stores, hardware stores and home improvement centers.

Things You'll Need

• Charcoal chimney
• Charcoal briquettes
• Newspaper
• Lighter or matches
• Grill glove

Instructions

1. Fill a charcoal chimney starter loosely with charcoal briquettes, leaving a couple of inches at the top empty.

2. Wad up two or three old newspaper sheets and stick them into the bottom of the chimney below the grate. Do not pack them in. Air must be able to flow through and around them.

3. Remove the food grate from the barbecue grill and set the chimney in the middle of the bottom.

4. Light the newspaper through the holes around the bottom of the chimney with matches or a lighter. Alternatively, can tip the chimney slightly sideways and light it from the bottom.

5. Let the newspaper burn and ignite the charcoal. When the charcoal catches fire you will hear crackling. Let the charcoal burn until the fire is well established and you see glowing coals and small flames.

6. Use a fireproof grill glove to lift the chimney by the handle. Pour the lighted charcoal carefully into the bottom of the grill. Set the chimney aside on a fireproof place such as bare ground or concrete well away from flammable materials. Let it cool.

7. Add more charcoal to the top of the ignited briquettes in the grill. Wait until all the briquettes are ignited uniformly.

Tips & Warnings

• If the newspaper goes out and you hear no crackling from the charcoal, wedge another two or three pieces of newspaper into the bottom of the chimney and try again.

• Empty the charcoal chimney into the grill as soon as you see small flames. If you wait longer, a large fire will develop and burn the charcoal quickly.

• Make your own charcoal chimney starter from an empty coffee can. See the Resources section for a link to instructions.

• Use extreme caution with open flames and hot items. Have a fire extinguisher handy at all times during grilling. Do not allow children to play near a hot barbecue grill or charcoal chimney.

References

• The Firepit and Grilling Guru: The Charcoal Chimney Starter
• Your Camping Guidebook: The Charcoal Chimney

Resources

• Your Camping Guidebook: Make Your Own Charcoal Chimney Starter