how do i get a good hot fire in my grill using charcoal?

Question

ol! it's summer time and i'm ready to grill. the problem is that i havent used the bbq grill in over 10 years and when i tried yesterday, the fire wasnt even hot enough to cook a hot dog yet all the charcoal was gray. i know this sounds stupid, but i need a refresher course in how to get a good fire going using charcoal. csn anyone help!!!!

Answer 1

You can check out this site:

Hints for Starting Charcoal Fires
by Kathy and Bruce Jacobs

http://www.outdoorcook.com/article1065.php

Answer 2

Charcoal grilling presents quite a challenge to the grillmaster. (That's you!) But learning about the type of charcoal to purchase, how many briquettes to light, the arrangement and cooking times is fun! Here are some tips.

The number of briquettes you use depends on the size of your gill, the amount of food you will be cooking, weather conditions and cooking time.
As a general rule, plan on using about 30 briquettes to cook 1 pound of meat. A five-pound bag contains 75 to 90 briquettes. Make sure you have enough briquettes to cover the grill pan in a single layer, extending about 2-3" beyond the area of the food on the grill. First place the briquettes in the grill pan to check for quantity, then stack them for lighting or remove to place in a chimney starter.
When the weather is cold or windy, you will need more briquettes to reach an ideal cooking temperature. More about that later. To light charcoal with the pyramid method, stack the charcoal into a rough pyramid shape. Soak the charcoal with at least 1/2 cup of lighter fluid (never use gasoline!!!). Wait a few minutes to let the chemicals soak into the briquettes, then light the charcoal with a long handled match or fire starter. As the coals begin to burn and ash forms, arrange them with long handled tons into a single layer. Don't squirt lighter fluid onto hot coals, since the fluid could catch on fire and burn back up to your hand.
I really like using a chimney starter. It looks like a coffee can with a handle, divided into two compartments by a metal disc. It lets you get a really good fire going with no chemicals.
Place crumpled newspapers in the bottom portion of the starter
Remove the rack from the grill and place the chimney starter in the bottom.
Fill the top half of the starter with charcoal.
Then light the newsletter through holes in the bottom of the starter. The fire will draw up through the starter, lighting the charcoal.
Leave the chimney starter where it is, and in about 20-30 minutes the coals will be ready.
With a heavy, long-sleeved oven mitt, carefully empty the coals into the grill pan.
Arrange the coals into an even layer with long tongs.

Answer 3

It starts with kindling; aluminum foil, something light that can burn well--like newspaper, then lighter fluid, and a long match.

Put a sheet of aluminum foil on the bottom of the grill. Line the bottom and about 2" of the sides with it. It will make clean up easier and reflect the heat back into the coals. Pour in the charcoal, put in your paper, build a ring of charcoal around the paper and soak it all in charcoal starter fluid (or lighter fluid). Ignite with a long match, a flame on the end of a stick, or a fire starter wand. Shelter the flame from any strong winds, but don't close the grill lid until the coals start to burn.

After the coals start to burn push the coals into a pile in the center. When you get ready to start cooking then spread out the coals. This will be the best way to get them hot, and keep them hot. The hottest coals will be at the bottom of your pile. You can use most kitchen tools to move the coals around. Select one that is steel with a long wood or insulated handle.

Answer 4

use a fan. an electrical one and point the wind (the lowest speed) at the burning charcoals. It spreads the fire to the next charcoal. A little bit of kerosene would do good to get the fire started. Keep replacing used up charcoals and don't be stingy with it.
Be careful.

Answer 5

Put your charcoal in a pile almost like a pyramid, cover in charcoal lighter fluid, let sit 1 minute, light, let fire burn until your charcoal gets gray and spread out! Happy grilling!

Answer 6

place the charcoal in a pile like a pyramid in your grill then soak the crap out of them with fluid and light keep the flames going for a little bit then when the coals are white spread them out. i like to put them around the grill then get a pan to put water in on the coals and cook the meat over the pan

Answer 7

B4 placing charcoals on grill, place them n a nonflammable container & pour the lighter fluid over them & let them soak 4 @ least an hour B4 placing on grill

Answer 8

go to home depot and get a gas grill you don't get the same result in taste but it is a lot more efficient and easier to control. if you insist on using your charcoal grill use lighter fluid and make sure that there is plenty of air on the fire.

Answer 9

make sure there is good ventilation around, over and if possible even under the charcoal. AIR is the key to FIRE.

Answer 10

I know this sounds weird but if you have a dryer, use the lint that comes out ot it to start it it works like a charm for me