Starting a Fire Without Lighter Fluid

Key Concepts

• Why lighter fluid can affect flavor when the fuel has not burned off completely
• Chimney starter: a practical, repeatable way to light charcoal without lighter fluid
• Fire starters: wax cubes, newspaper, and natural paraffin starters — which work best
• How long it takes: charcoal is ready when fully ashed over — not when it first starts glowing
• The hot coal transfer: how to move lit coals safely into the pit

Put It Into Practice

1. Place a fire starter or two sheets of crumpled newspaper under the chimney starter grate.
2. Fill the chimney with charcoal — full for long cooks, half-full for quick sears.
3. Light the fire starter or newspaper from below. The chimney drafts naturally and draws the flame upward.
4. Let the chimney burn for 15-20 minutes. Coals are ready when the top coals show gray ash and you can see orange glow throughout.
5. Pour the coals into the pit using the handle and heat shield. Always use heat-resistant gloves.
6. For a charcoal base setup: pour coals into one side of the pit, add wood chunks, and let the pit stabilize for 10-15 minutes before adding meat.