Lighting a BBQ ? ! ?

[B16JUS]

Well sunday was my first ever hosting of a bbq never done one myself i had a massive fright on by using petrol on coal to light a bbq ( i expected a woof but by god i st myself the noise and size of the flame ) at least everyone else had a laugh

So whats the best + easiest way to light a bbq gel, firelighters, newspaper etc

Thanks

[GingerWizard]

BBQ gel, or BBQ firelighting fluid, petrol adds nothing to the taste.

Long matches help, or a taper.

[calibrax]

Chimney starter. Best £15 you'll ever spend on BBQ equipment. Makes lighting the coals very very easy, just using some scrunched up newspaper.

[Stu R]

Get some decent kindling, arrange it in a pyramid over some newspaper, start a small fire, add bits of more quickly burning wood, make it a bigger fire, add solid fuel (I use hardwood, most use coal), let it burn, voila.

Or just use some BBQ gel / firelighters, but wood adds to the taste and smells wonderful.

Edited by Stu R on Tuesday 24th May 00:18

[GWC]

I use firelighters, petrol is a really bad idea.

[GingerWizard]

calibrax said:

Chimney starter. Best £15 you'll ever spend on BBQ equipment. Makes lighting the coals very very easy, just using some scrunched up newspaper.

actually this^

really really good.

[Flibble]

I always found firelighters a good bet - the fluid burns off too quickly before the coals get properly warm.

[cornet]

Ok here is my technique for lighting a BBQ or Fire on our narrowboat.

Note I always use briquettes for BBQ rather than charcoal. They burn for longer and produce a more consistent heat.

Start with a few firelights and place one or two rings of coal around them. Light the firelighters then start building the coal up into a pyramid. You can easily do this with your hands, just be purposeful when placing the coal.

Once you have a complete pyramid then leave it for 5min and you'll start to get glowing coals at the base. Add the amount of coal you want by either pouring it on or using a shovel.

Wait till coals are white hot then you are ready for cooking. If it's going to be a long cooking session then I'll keep adding coal all the time to keep a consistent heat.

Another good tip is if you have a large enough BBQ then to light the fire at one side. That way you can move food over to the non-lit side to keep warm/cook slowly and move it directly over the coals to finish it off.


If this still fails then it's likely you're not getting enough air underneath the BBQ. Clear out the ash and make sure the vents are clear.

[B16JUS]

Wow loads of quick replys thanks

I can deff say petrol is a BAD idea !

I will grab some firelighters and gel then for the best of both worlds

I got a Brabantia long lighter thing so keeps my hand away

Would wood give the food a smoke taste ?

Thanks

[cornet]

B16JUS said:

Wow loads of quick replys thanks

I can deff say petrol is a BAD idea !

Indeed, mostly because it'll burn off too quickly to get the coals hot.

B16JUS said:

I will grab some firelighters and gel then for the best of both worlds

I got a Brabantia long lighter thing so keeps my hand away

Firelighters are much better than gel. Most people pour loads of gel on then wonder why it goes out after 5min. Heat travels up, so coating the top of coal with gel then lighting it generally doesn't work that well.

B16JUS said:

Would wood give the food a smoke taste ?

Thanks

Yes, although if you're wanting a smokey flavour then get yourself some BBQ wood chips to sprinkle on the coals.

That said some kindling can make lighting a lot easier. Again use firelighters, add kindling , then the briquettes.

[smack]

GingerWizard said:

calibrax said:

Chimney starter. Best £15 you'll ever spend on BBQ equipment. Makes lighting the coals very very easy, just using some scrunched up newspaper.

actually this^

really really good.

+2

[Zod]

smack said:

GingerWizard said:

calibrax said:

Chimney starter. Best £15 you'll ever spend on BBQ equipment. Makes lighting the coals very very easy, just using some scrunched up newspaper.

actually this^

really really good.

+2

+eleventy million

[Disastrous]

smack said:

GingerWizard said:

calibrax said:

Chimney starter. Best £15 you'll ever spend on BBQ equipment. Makes lighting the coals very very easy, just using some scrunched up newspaper.

actually this^

really really good.

+2

X4

Really the only way to do it...

[B16JUS]

Just looked at them, so you put newspaper at the bottom then fill the top with charcoal then light the newspaper and once the charcoal is light pour into the bbq ?

[calibrax]

B16JUS said:

Just looked at them, so you put newspaper at the bottom then fill the top with charcoal then light the newspaper and once the charcoal is light pour into the bbq ?

Yep, simple as that. Easiest way ever!

[Bill]

Just ask Emsman about petrol on a BBQ...

I've been given a chimney as the guy who owned it didn't get on with it. I've only tried it once but it took forever, so are there any other tips? It is possible the briquets were a damp having spent a winter in the garage, but they light fine normally.

[zakelwe]

I ask my wife to breath on it for a couple of seconds.


Petrol is a very bad idea because it leaves a lot of petrol vapour in the air which catches fire before the liquid on the coals. At that point you realise that you spilt some on your jumper, it then flashes to your beard and before you know it it has your face off.


One thing not to use either is meths, it burns with no flame so you can't see it. Mind you it is funny if you pour some in an oven bowl and then set fire to it and then tell your daughter you can cook a sausage over a bowl of water and then procede to do it! I guess the fire brigade, local hospital and the Magic circle wouldn't like that though....

Andy

[tuffer]

Hot air paint stripper gun, just point it under the coals and leave for 5 minutes. SAFE.

[BazzaH]

GingerWizard said:

actually this^

really really good.

+1

Put coals in chimney, light, leave 20 minutes, sorted.

[Dogwatch]

Had an instant BBQ which wouldn't light (got damp in storage I think). Poured some (not a lot!)of white spirit over the cold coals and left for 10 mins or so to soak. Lit quite easily, no Whooomph though never advisable to have your face close to it anyway.
No noticeable 'taste' in the food either.