A chimney starter, also known as a charcoal chimney, is one of the most popular and effective ways to get your charcoal grill going. It’s easy to use and can help you to get your charcoal lit in no time. Here’s how it works.
Gather Your Supplies
The first thing you’ll need to do is gather your supplies. You’ll need a chimney starter, charcoal briquettes, newspaper, and a match. Make sure you have enough charcoal to fill your chimney starter. You should also make sure you have enough newspaper to light the charcoal. Most chimney starters come with a handle, but if yours doesn’t, make sure you have a pair of grill mitts or oven mitts to protect your hands.
Fill the Chimney Starter
Once you have all your supplies, it’s time to start. Begin by filling the chimney starter with the charcoal briquettes. Make sure the briquettes are packed tightly to ensure they will light. Once the starter is full, it’s time to light the charcoal.
Light the Charcoal
To light the charcoal, you’ll need to crumple up some newspaper and place it in the bottom of the chimney starter. Next, light the newspaper with a match. The newspaper should catch quickly, and the flames will begin to climb up the charcoal briquettes. Be careful when lighting the newspaper, as it can easily flare up and burn your hands.
Wait for the Flames
Once the newspaper is lit, you’ll need to wait for the flames to reach the top of the chimney starter. This should take about 10-15 minutes. Once the flames reach the top, the charcoal should be burning hot and ready to use.
Carefully Remove the Chimney Starter
Once the charcoal is burning hot, it’s time to remove the chimney starter. Carefully grab the handle of the starter with your grill mitts or oven mitts. Then, slowly pour the charcoal into the grill. Make sure you are pouring the charcoal away from you to avoid getting burned.
Add More Charcoal if Needed
After you’ve poured the charcoal into the grill, you may need to add more if you are cooking for a large group. If you need to add more charcoal, repeat the steps above to light the charcoal in the chimney starter.
Spread Out the Charcoal
Once all the charcoal is in the grill, you’ll need to spread it out evenly. This will help ensure that the charcoal is burning properly. Use a pair of tongs to spread out the charcoal and make sure it is evenly distributed.
Wait for the Charcoal to Turn White
Once the charcoal is spread out evenly, you’ll need to wait for it to turn white. This will indicate that the charcoal is ready to use. You should also check the temperature of the charcoal with a thermometer. If the temperature is too low, you may need to add more charcoal.
Conclusion
Using a chimney starter is an easy and effective way to get your charcoal lit for your next grill session. With just a few simple steps, you can have your charcoal lit and ready to go in no time. So, next time you’re ready to fire up your grill, don’t forget to use your chimney starter.