How do I light a charcoal grill? Every time I try it extinguishes after a few seconds?

Question

I have a tabletop charcoal grill with a cover and my kids are disappointed because I can never quite seem to get it right. Please help me!

Answer 1

Buy match light, no lighter fluid needed.

Answer 2

I would recommend a chimney
pour charcoal in
stuff 1 -2 sheets of newspaper in the bottom
light newspaper
in 10-15 min charcoal will be ready

this way there is no lighter fluid taste or residue

if you must use lighter fluid
pile charcoal in a pyrimid type shape, the smaller the base the better
after charcoal ligher fluid (not zippo fluid) light in several spots at the base only, the flame will burn up, and start the higher level coals buring.

Wait until the coals are all red before redistributing

Answer 3

You could use lighter fluid, but the chemicals in it aren't really very good for you. The better choice is a charcoal chimney starter. It's a metal tube, well ventilated and available at many camping/barbecue stores, that uses paper as the starter. Amazon has 'em from 10 to 20 dollars. They work well, and when the charcoal is ready, you simply pour it into your tabletop grill.

Answer 4

I bought one of those chimney charcoal starters that look like a tube with holes on the lower sides. you lightly crumble a few single sheets of newspaper and put them on the bottom then put charcoal on top part of the chimney and light the newspaper below. By the time the newspaper burns down the coals are hot enough. Wait 15 minutes for the coals to turn a little white-ashed and then spread the glowing coals.

Answer 5

roll loose news papers up and place a layer in the bottom and then spray little starter fluid on that and then add the charcoal back in and then spray that wet and then light and leave the top off till the edges are whitish then with the vents open leave to get a cool drink and about 20 minutes the ash is gray and white on most of it use tongs to spread the charcoals to make a hot zone and a cooler pile now add the meats and so on

Answer 6

lots and lots of lighter fluid.

Make a nice pyramid of charcoal, coat with lighter fluid, toss in match, jump back (fast). It works like a charm.

I think part of the trick is the pyramid- that way the charcoal gets evenly hot.

Answer 7

Try a charcoal chimney. You can purchase these at any hardware store, I've even seen them at Lowes, or Wal-Mart. They cost about $12.00 and all you need is a good wad of newspaper to get them going. You can put as little charcoal as you want in it, and in minutes, its white-hot.

Answer 8

Buy Match Light brickettes. It only takes a match to light the coals. Also check to see if the breather(s) are open on your grill located on the sides or bottom of the grill.

Answer 9

Charcoal+copious amounts of lighter fluid+fire=mmmmmmm

Answer 10

Put in charcoal. Add lighter fluid. Toss in match.