Do you love grilled food but hate how difficult it is to keep the fire going? Well, you’re not alone. Grilling is a summer favorite for many, but it can easily turn into a disaster when the fire goes out and you have to start all over again.
Many people have trouble keeping their grill lit for the entire cooking process. In this guide about how to keep a grill lit, we will teach you helpful tricks to make sure your fire stays lit, the primary causes of grill fires, and other useful information about grilling with charcoal. Let’s get started!
How to Keep a Grill Lit
Keep Your Grill Clean
The first thing you need to do is make sure that your grill is clean from previous charcoal grilling sessions. Old ashes and grease can easily put out a fire. Ashes from previous grilling sessions could make the coals burn cooler because the ashes will obstruct the proper flow of air within the grill. It may also make it difficult to keep the grill lit if enough ash is built up. So before you start cooking, give your grill a good cleaning including the grill grates. This will help the fire stay lit for longer.
Alternative Fire Starting Method
Another trick for keeping your fire going is to use a chimney starter (charcoal chimney). A chimney starter is a device that helps you start your fire without using any lighter fluid. It’s a metal cylinder with a grate on the bottom and a wire rack on top. You put your charcoal in the cylinder, light it, and then set the chimney starter on top of your grill. The fire will start from the bottom and slowly work its way up to the charcoal. Wait for the coals to start to ash in about 15 minutes. Then spread the hot coals evenly at the bottom of the grill.
If you’re using lighter fluid to start your fire, make sure you only use a small amount. Too much lighter fluid can easily put out the fire. And never use gasoline or kerosene! They are extremely dangerous and can easily cause a fire.
Keep the bottom vents wide open when starting the fire in a charcoal grill. Keep the intake damper open throughout the fire starting process.
Stack the charcoal vertically rather than arrange flat on the bottom of the grill. This will create more airflow and help the fire stay lit. It will allow heat to be transferred from bottom coals to the top coals.
What Might Cause Fire to Go Out
There are also several things that can go wrong while you’re cooking that can cause your fire to go out. One of the most common is when the wind blows the flame out . If this happens, don’t try to re-light the fire until it has completely died out. You could end up with a dangerous flare-up.
Another thing that can put out your fire is when the coals get too cold. If this happens, you can try to reheat them by pouring a little bit of lighter fluid on top and then lighting them up again.
And finally, one of the biggest causes of grill fires is when people forget to put out the fire before they leave . Make sure you always put out your fire completely before you walk away from the grill. This includes letting the coals cool down and dousing them with water.
Frequently Asked Questions About How to Keep a Grill Lit
Do you leave the lid open on a charcoal grill when lighting?
Yes, you should leave the lid open on a charcoal grill when lighting. This will help the fire get started and stay lit.
Why does my charcoal go out so fast?
There are several reasons why your charcoal might go out. One of the most common is when the fire isn’t getting enough oxygen. Another possible reason might be that the coals aren’t burning hot enough. The quality of the charcoal could be one of the factors as well. And finally, sometimes the ventilation holes might be blocked.
Why does my gas grill not stay lit?
There are several reasons why your gas grill might not stay lit. One of the most common is when the burner isn’t getting enough oxygen . Another reason might be that the gas is leaking . And finally, sometimes the igniter might not be working properly.
Do you close the vent on a charcoal grill?
You should not close the vent on a charcoal grill. This will prevent the fire from getting enough oxygen and it will quickly die out. To increase the temperature, open the vent more to make the charcoal burn longer when grilling. Grilling on high heat is the key to getting those perfect grill marks.
Should I close the grill when lighting it?
You should not close the grill when lighting it. This will prevent the fire from getting oxygen and it will quickly die out. Leave the lid open to help the fire get started and stay lit for a long time. The more air flow, the hotter your fire will burn.
When grilling do you leave the vent open or closed?
You should leave the vent open when grilling. This will allow air to flow in and help the fire stay lit. If you have a gas grill, make sure the burners are turned on high to get those perfect grill marks.
Can I grill with wood chips?
You can grill with wood chips, but you’ll need to soak them in water for 30 minutes before using. Wood chips can be used to add a smoky flavor to your food. Just place them in a foil pouch and poke holes in the top. Place the pouch on the fire and let the smoke flow through the grill.
Do you need a drip pan for a charcoal grill?
Yes, you need a drip pan for your charcoal grill. The drip pan will help to catch the grease dripping from the food. Place the drip pan in the bottom of the grill and make sure it’s lined with aluminum foil.
When should I cover my charcoal grill?
After the fire is lit, cover the grill with the lid to help it stay hot. Preheat the charcoal grill for 10 to 15 minutes for the heat to be transferred to the cooking grate. You shall leave the grill open when you’re grilling quick-cooking foods such as burgers, fish or veggies. You can cover your charcoal grill if you’re cooking something thicker, such as thicker steak and bone-in chicken, with indirect heat.
Which is better: lump charcoal or charcoal briquettes?
Lump charcoal is better than briquettes for grilling. Lump charcoal is made of pure hardwood, so it will give your food a smoky flavor that you won’t get with briquettes. Lump charcoal light faster and burn hotter than briquettes, so they’re the perfect choice for grilling brisket and pork rib.
Briquettes, on the other hand, are better for slow cooking, so if you’re looking to grill steak or fish, then briquettes are the best way to go. Whichever type of charcoal you select, use the quality charcoal to have a better grilling experience.
How do I keep my charcoal grill hot?
You can keep your charcoal grill hot by adding more charcoal to the fire. You can add 5 to 10 pieces of unlit coals whenever the existing charcoal in the grill is reducing to half. The easiest way to increase the temperature is to open the vent more. You shall keep the top and bottom vents open to get more air to the fire.
What should I do if my fire goes out?
If your fire goes out, don’t try to re-light it until it has completely died out. You could end up with a dangerous flare-up. Wait until the coals have cooled down and then douse them with water. If the fire keeps going out, it might be due to lack of air ventilation. Less air means less oxygen which is required to keep the fire lit. Check the vent system to make sure it works properly.
How do you light a charcoal fire?
To light charcoal fire, you can use a chimney starter. This is the simplest way to get your fire started without using any lighter fluid. Fill the chimney starter with charcoal, set it on top of the grill, and light the newspapers at the bottom. The coals will start to heat up and then you can dump them into the grill.
You can also use lighter fluid to start your fire, but be sure to wait until the coals are completely covered before lighting them up. And never use gasoline to light a charcoal grill!
Last but no least, you can use an electric starter to ignite the fire. Just plug it in and place the coals on top. This fire starter will then do all the work for you.
How much charcoal should I use?
You should use about the same amount of charcoal as you would use for a Weber kettle grill. This usually works out to be around 20 to 30 briquettes. If you’re cooking something large, like a turkey, then you might need about 50 to 80 briquettes. You do not need much charcoal if you’re cooking burgers or hot dogs which only need medium heat. Add 5 to 10 pieces of charcoal briquettes whenever the existing charcoal in the grill is reducing to half.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know how to keep your fire lit, go out and start grilling! And don’t forget to share this guide with your friends so they can grill like a pro too.
