The good weather is here and with it comes eating outdoors. But knowing how to light a barbecue without spending half the afternoon fighting the smoke is the difference between a great day and a headache. In this guide we explain step by step how to light a charcoal barbecue, what you need and several tricks so the coals are ready exactly when your guests arrive.
What you need before you start
Having everything to hand saves you last-minute dashes. The basics for lighting the barbecue safely are:
- Charcoal or briquettes. Lumpwood charcoal catches faster; briquettes take longer but give a longer-lasting, more even heat.
- A lighter or firelighters (or paper and thin kindling if you prefer the natural method).
- A chimney starter, the accessory that speeds the process up the most.
- Heat-resistant gloves, long tongs and a poker to move the coals around.
- A well-ventilated spot away from awnings, dry plants or anything flammable.
Before you light anything, clean the grill of last time's leftovers: lighting up with old fat gives a bad taste and more smoke. If you're short on crockery or utensils, Velia Select has a selection of kitchen and home products to help you set up a comfortable barbecue.
How to light a charcoal barbecue step by step
This is the most reliable method to light a charcoal barbecue and have coals ready in around 25-30 minutes:
- Build a pyramid. Pile the charcoal into a mound rather than spreading it out. That concentrates the heat and helps the fire spread.
- Add the firelighters. Tuck two or three firelighters into the gaps between the charcoal, or use a chimney starter with scrunched-up paper underneath.
- Light it and wait. Light the firelighters and let the flames take hold without touching anything for the first few minutes.
- Give it air. Fan it gently or open the bottom vent if your barbecue has a lid. Oxygen is the key to getting it going.
- Wait for the white ash. Don't start cooking over flames. The charcoal is ready when it's covered in a greyish-white layer and there's no live fire left.
- Spread the coals. Lay them out leaving one hotter zone and one gentler one so you can control the cooking.
Cooking straight over the flames is the most common mistake: it chars the outside of the meat and leaves the inside raw. The patience to wait for the embers is what separates an amateur barbecue from a perfect one.
How to light a barbecue without firelighters
Run out of firelighters? You can light a barbecue without firelighters using things you already have at home:
- Newspaper. Make tight balls or twisted sticks and put them under the charcoal; they catch quickly and give you the first flame.
- Egg-box cardboard. It works as a natural firelighter and burns steadily.
- Dry twigs and thin kindling. The traditional method: a base of kindling that lights the charcoal little by little.
- Used oil on a piece of kitchen paper. A couple of sheets with a little oil help keep the flame going.
Always steer clear of methylated spirits or petrol: they're dangerous, they can cause flare-ups and they leave a smell and taste in the food.
Tricks for a perfect barbecue
With the fire under control, these tricks for a perfect barbecue lift the result:
- Take the meat out of the fridge 20-30 minutes beforehand so it cooks evenly.
- Use two heat zones: a fierce one to sear and a gentle one to finish without burning.
- Don't pierce the meat; turn it with tongs so you don't lose the juices.
- Throw some herbs or rosemary onto the coals in the final minutes for extra aroma.
- Keep a tray nearby to rest the meat for a couple of minutes before serving.
Basic safety
Never leave the barbecue unattended, keep children and pets away, and have water or a fire extinguisher to hand. When you're done, let the coals go out completely before clearing them away; they can stay hot for hours.
Enjoy the summer around the fire
Lighting a barbecue is no mystery once you know the order: good charcoal, an effective firelighter, patience until the white ash appears and a couple of tricks to nail the meat. With this guide you'll get perfect coals without the stress and you can focus on what matters, which is enjoying the food. If you want to kit out your kitchen and terrace for the season, take a look at the Velia Select catalogue and go into your summer gatherings with everything ready.