How Long Should Charcoal Burn Before Grilling?
A charcoal grill can give you a variety of results. This article will show you how to prepare the coals. It will explain how to stoke and extinguish coals, as well as how to prepare coals for grilling. A properly prepared charcoal grill will produce a better-tasting meal. Read this article to learn how to get the most flavor out of your next barbecue!
Proper care of a charcoal grill
Cleaning and maintaining your charcoal grill should be done after every use. Use a grill brush to clean the grates and lid. Also, inspect the burners for cracks and debris. You can also use a toothpick to clear out clogged ports. Clean the inside of the grill with warm water and soap. Steel wool can be used to remove large chunks or ash from interior walls.

Stoking the coals
To grill, you need to heat the coals. This is similar to lighting the fireplace. To light the coals, you will need to make a pyramid out of them. If you use a charcoal starter, the charcoals will take around 30 minutes to ignite. However, if you’re using chemical-free lump charcoal, it will take only 15 to 20 minutes for the grill to be ready.
Water is used to extinguish the coals
It is a smart way of reducing the risk of a fire. However, it is important to not spray hot ash and embers in the air by extinguishing the flames with a bucket full of water. To prevent this, you can use a gardenhose or watering container to mist the coals. A bucket of sand is an alternative if you are in a hurry. Sand will keep the charcoals hot for a while, so be careful! You can safely remove the coals from your grill using long-handled tools such as tongs or a bucket filled with water.
Precooking the coals is a good idea to get them in the right condition for grilling.
Pre-cook the coals until they are a deep red color and have about two to four lumps. To move them, use long tongs or grilling spatulas. Once the coals are ready, you can start adding your food. Make sure to rotate your food every few minutes so that it cooks evenly on all sides.
Using lighter fluid
Lighter fluids are best used before grilling. Non-petroleum versions are more eco-friendly. However, lighter fluids can leave unpleasant chemical tastes on your food. This method is not recommended if you don’t intend to grill food every day. Before you start a fire, it is important to take control of it. It can lead to a flare-up.
Stoking the coals to get them in the right state for grilling
One of the best ways to get hot, even coals for grilling is to stoke them with a little lighter fluid. You should only pour a little lighter fluid around your grill. You don’t want your food to be too close to it. To lighten the coals, you can use a stick lighter (or a long match) to get the flames going.