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How To Start A BBQ Fire

In this article we will show you how to light your non-gas and non-electric BBQs

Mark Hoffman

Managing Editor At Ovenreview.co.uk

October 31st, 2022

3 Minute Read

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BBQs can be confusing, when you don’t have a gas or electric BBQ, how do you start the fire? There are a number of fuels and ways you can use. For example; charcoal and wood are all popular BBQ fuels (as oppose to gas) You can light the fire a number of ways, cost efficiently and expensively.

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What is the difference between coal and charcoal?

Coal is a natural material created over thousands of years. Charcoal is a man-made material created from burning wood. Coal alone is never used in cooking food or on a BBQ, charcoal is the perfect fuel for cooking. Coal is the glowing ember that remains after a charcoal or when a wood fire dies down. So should I use coal on a BBQ? No not really, coal contains a lot of coal tar and sulfur as impurities. They can be toxic and cause health issues when absorbed by food.

What is the best fuel for my BBQ?

There are many fuels you can use for a non-gas BBQ. It can also depend on what foods you like to cook. Here are the best fuels for cooking:

Charcoal – Higher quality (and more expensive) forms cook better and cleaner. They also make your food taste better too.
Binchotan – Famous in Japan, Binchotan is a form of charcoal. Binchotan is completely odorless and tasteless. Leaving your BBQ tasting pure and only of meat. Binchotan is great when you’re grilling around a group of people and don’t want smelly/thick smoke fogging everyone. But is very limited in supply and can cost a bit.
Wood – A favourite among cookers. Wood is different and it’s important to match the fuel’s flavor to the food. Pairing subtle varieties with mildly flavored seafood and vegetables. Generally when cooking with wood you will taste the wood in the foods. This is why it’s best not to cook meat.

Credit: Unsplash @unknown

How do I clean my BBQ?

Your BBQ oven is most likely a key piece of your garden. Whether it was a DIY project from bricks and mortar, or a stand alone gas powered oven. After daily, weekly and monthly use your BBQ oven may contain dirt, grease and other unhealthy bacteria which should not be in your foods.

So the question comes, how do I clean my BBQ grill oven right? Firstly you will need a strong soap or grease/oil breaker, a wet cloth, and a metal brush (to remove any sticky grease) and a grease bucket (grease should not be poured down your drain) Disinfection spray also won’t hurt anyone.

Unlike pizza ovens your standard BBQ is most likely a gas powered unit. Stones are however easier to clean because unlike metal.

How to start a BBQ

In this simple guide we will teach you how to start your normal BBQs without gas or electricity.

What do I need to start a BBQ?

Fuel – Firstly, some type of fuel needs to be burnt. Whether that be wood or charcoal. Charcoal and coal burn hotter and for longer.
Fire start – Something to actually start the fire (lighter or matches)
Food – The substance you actually want to cook.
Lighter Fluid – Something to keep the start of the fire burning well. This works well with lighter fluid.

How to start your BBQ (with lighter fluid)

Step 1

Prepare

Firstly, it is important to clean out the place where you are cooking/starting your fire. You do not want to contaminate your food or make a messy fire.
Clean out all the ash etc from your fire place or BBQ.
Once the bowl/BBQ is clean then you can move to the next step

Step 2

Prepare the coal

So to start the actual fire you will have to lay the base of charcoal in the area you are cooking.
After making a small mound with the charcoal. Now you can add abit of lighter fluid to the fuel. This will help it burn.

Credit: Unsplash @unknown

Step 3

Light the fire

After adding lighter fluid to the charcoal, now you can light the fluid using a match or a lighter

Credit: Unsplash @unknown

Step 3

Cook the meat

Now you can put your grill onto the top and lay your meat above. Most lump charcoal will burn untouched for about 2-3 hours. More expensive blocks may be up to 5. So plenty of time to cook your food.

How to start your BBQ (without lighter fluid)

Step 1

Prepare

Firstly, it is important to clean out the place where you are cooking/starting your fire. You do not want to contaminate your food or make a messy fire.
Clean out all the ash etc from your fire place or BBQ.

Step 2

Prepare the coal

Again without lighter fluid, you should set up the charcoal into a mound shape.
You can use briquettes, fire blocks (white bricks) matches or small wood sticks.
Then pile the fuel (charcoal) in and around the fire blocks.

Credit: Unsplash @unknown

Step 3

Start the actual fire

Start the fire by lighting the fire blocks or briquettes which are between the charcoal. The objective is to light the charcoal.

Credit: Unsplash @unknown

Mark Hoffman

Managing Editor At Ovenreview.co.uk

Mark Hoffman has worked as a freelancer and writer for several years. Reviewing ovens, washing machines and any other household items he can get his hands on. When he’s not sitting in-front of a computer he enjoys cycling, climbing and volunteering at charitable health organisations.