How to Light Charcoal Without Lighter Fluid

You don’t have to rely on lighter fluid to light your charcoal grill. You can get a few different techniques that work great without it, and all of them are safer than using lighter fluid. But there are a few things to consider before you start your fire.

One of the best methods is to use a charcoal chimney starter, which is simply a metal tube that holds your coals in place as you ignite them. The heat from the coals rises through the chimney, and more air is sucked in from below, which helps make it easier to get a good flame. This method also works much faster than using a traditional cigarette holder, and it’s great for tailgating or on-the-go grilling.

Another method is to use a heat gun or Looftlighter, which forces superheated air into the coals, and it’s also a fast and easy way to light your coals. This method is ideal for those who want to light their charcoal quickly and have it be as safe as possible.

A second technique is to use paper kindling, which is a piece of newspaper that lights quickly. You can even add some cooking oil to the paper before you light it, which will help it burn longer and give you a better chance of getting a good flame.

The most common and easiest way to light charcoal is by building a fire. It’s more labor-intensive than some of the other options, and it’s not always reliable, but it can be a quick and simple way to light your coals.

You can build a base fire by ball-up 2-4 sheets of newspaper, and then put thin, dry sticks in a crisscross pattern over the top of it. If the kindling doesn’t catch, loosely crumple up a couple of additional pieces and place them near the sticks, or even on top of them.

Once you have enough sticks to cover the newspaper, use a stick lighter or long match to light it, making sure that you’re not touching any other flammable objects in the area. You’ll know that your fire is going well when the edges of the coals begin to turn gray and you can see them catching on fire.

If you’re looking for a more natural way to light your charcoal, try using pine cones or paper. Pine is a natural kindling and it’s also easier to catch than other kinds of wood. This will not only help your charcoal start to burn faster, but it will also be less expensive than buying lighter fluid.

A final option is to drench a few pieces of paper or paper towels in either whiskey or vodka. Alcohol can be a quick and easy way to light your coals, but it isn’t as dependable as other options.

If you have any questions about how to light your charcoal, don’t hesitate to ask! We’re happy to help! You can reach us on Facebook or Instagram.