When it comes to grilling with charcoal, the beginning is often the hardest part. Most people who grill with charcoal have struggled to light it at least a few times, and it can be a real bummer when those crackling flames just won’t stay.
Here’s a key secret of BBQ pros: If you’re not using lump charcoal, you’re making things harder for yourself! In this guide, we’ll look at why you should be using lump charcoal and how to start a charcoal grill with it.
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Briquettes themselves are often the biggest obstacle to getting your charcoal lit. That’s because they have several unfavorable qualities, such as:
All in all, even if you have fond memories of grilling with briquettes, they’re best left in the past. There’s a better way forward with a higher quality type of charcoal.
Lump charcoal is the secret to a great charcoal fire. It’s a minimally processed form of charcoal that comes in big chunks. While lump charcoal does cost more than briquettes, it’s worth every penny.
Smoke, Grill, Bake and More with a Kong Kamado Grill
Before we begin, an important note: If this is the first time you’re lighting up your kamado grill, make sure you’ve seasoned the grill first. Use the technique in our guide on how to season a grill!
The best way to arrange your lump charcoal in the grill depends on your desired temperature:
Other methods, such as the snake method, can be useful if you’re headed into a particularly long cook session. The above methods, however, are the best ways to get started for newbies..
With quality lump charcoal, not only can you skip the lighter fluid, but you also won’t need tricks like using a chimney starter. Instead, just add some natural fire starters like newspaper pieces, paraffin cubes or tumbleweeds.
Arrange the fire starters between pieces of charcoal and then light them with safety matches or a grill lighter. Lump charcoal should catch shortly after the starters are lit.
You want plenty of oxygen flowing to your coals as you’re lighting them. That means it’s critical to keep your grill’s lid and bottom damper open so that air flows freely. Soon, you’ll adjust the vents to get your ideal temperature, but leave them open for now.
Let your lump charcoal burn for a few minutes after you’ve lit it. Watch to see when your charcoal is covered in a layer of gray ash and has started building up an ember bed. At that point, close the lid and shut the bottom damper most of the way. This will provide enough air to keep the fire going while regulating the temperature.
Look at the temperature gauge on your grill to determine when you’ve hit the sweet spot. Now you’re ready to get your favorite BBQ recipes on the grill!
Find Out Why Pitmasters Love Our Ceramic Grill
Learning to light your kamado grill? Watch our video on how to light a kamado grill to see our pitmasters’ tricks for doing it like a pro! We’ve also got a handy guide for choosing, using and storing lump charcoal. Finally, don’t forget to get acquainted with the Kong kamado grill itself. It’s a charcoal-grilling beast unlike any other!
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