How to Use a Charcoal Grill

Charcoal grills make tender, flavourful barbecue meals. Whether you’re grilling burgers, steaks, or vegetables, getting comfortable on a charcoal grill is a fun way to improve your barbecue skills. With these tips and some practice, you’ll be on your way to enjoying delicious grilled meals. You’ll also be impressing your friends and family with your new cooking skills.

Here is a guide on how to use a charcoal grill.

Choose Your Charcoal

You have a few choices for charcoal. Lump charcoal is irregularly shaped charred wood pieces. It burns hot and quickly. Briquettes are made from wood by-products and binders. They are popular because they burn evenly, making it easier to control grill cooking temperatures.

Hardwood charcoal is similar to lump charcoal but made from hardwoods like hickory or oak. It can be used to add different flavours to your food on charcoal grills.

Light the Charcoal

If you use a chimney starter, place crumpled newspaper in the bottom and fill the top portion with charcoal briquettes or lump charcoal. Light the newspaper or fire starters through the chimney holes.

Pile the charcoal into a mound on the grill in the absence of a chimney. Apply lighter fluid. Carefully light the charcoal with a long match or flashlight. Stand back as the light fluid bursts flames.

Heat Up the Charcoal

You should let the charcoal heat up until it is covered with ash, which typically takes 15-20 minutes. An uneven appearance indicates that the coals are ready for cooking.

Arrange the Coals

To grill using direct heat, spread the coals evenly along the bottom of the grill for consistent, high heat. A single layer will ensure even heat distribution and avoid hot spots. Push the coals to one side of the grill for indirect heat to create two heat zones—direct and indirect heat.

Try a charcoal ring for long, slow cooking or smoking. Arrange the coals around the grill perimeter in a ring, leaving the center clear.

Adjust the Air Vents

The air vents of your charcoal grill regulate the airflow to the coals, which directly affects the grill’s temperature. More airflow increases heat, while less airflow reduces it. Proper venting helps manage coal burn speed. Adjusting the vents can help maintain a steady temperature throughout the cooking process.

Open the bottom and top vents fully to allow maximum airflow. Partially open the vents to maintain a moderate heat level. This is suitable for cooking foods that require medium heat, such as chicken or vegetables. Or, close the vents slightly to reduce airflow and lower the grill temperature.

Preheat the Grill

Close the grill lid and let it preheat for 10-15 minutes. This ensures the grates are hot and ready for cooking. Use a built-in thermometer (if your grill has one) or an external grill thermometer to check the grill’s internal temperature. For grilling, aim for 400-450°F (200-230°C).

Oil the Grill Grates

Rub a paper towel soaked in vegetable oil over the grill grates using tongs. Oiling the grates prevents food from sticking, making turning and removing food easier. Oiled grates are also easier to clean after cooking, as they reduce residue.

Manage Flare-Ups

Managing flare-ups is essential for protecting burnt food and maintaining a safe grilling environment. If a flare-up occurs, quickly move your food to a cooler part of the grill, away from direct flames. This helps prevent burning and manage flare-ups.

Partially close air vents to reduce airflow and lower fire intensity. This can help control flare-ups and prevent spreading. Have a spray bottle filled with water close by. Spray it lightly to control the flames.

Clean Up

After cooking, let the grill cool down for 15-30 minutes. This makes cleaning safer. Use a scraper to remove food residue and charred bits from the grates. For stubborn residue, remove the grates and soak them in warm, soapy water. Use a non-abrasive scrubber to clean thoroughly, then rinse and dry completely.

Remove and empty the ash pan. Ensure the ashes are completely cool before disposal. Wipe down or wash the ash pan if needed, and let it dry before reinserting it into the grill. Cover the grill after cleaning it to protect it from the elements and keep it clean for your subsequent use.