To start a charcoal grill with a chimney, follow these steps:
- Choose a suitable location for your grill, ensuring it is away from flammable objects and well-ventilated.
- Remove the cooking grates from your grill and set them aside.
- Place a few sheets of crumpled newspaper or a paraffin fire starter in the bottom chamber of the chimney.
- Fill the top chamber with enough charcoal briquettes or lump charcoal to accommodate your cooking needs.
- Use a long lighter or matches to light the newspaper or fire starter. Ensure the flames have reached the charcoal and the edges are starting to turn gray.
- Allow the charcoal to fully ignite and burn for about 10-15 minutes. This preheating process is important to ensure even heat distribution on the grill.
- While the charcoal is preheating, clean the grill grates with a stiff wire brush to remove any excess debris or leftover residue.
- Once the charcoal is fully lit and covered with a layer of gray ash, carefully pour the hot coals onto the bottom grate of your grill. Use oven mitts or heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands during this step.
- Spread the charcoal evenly across the bottom grate, ensuring it covers the desired cooking area.
- Let the grates heat up for a few minutes to ensure they are sufficiently hot for cooking.
- Replace the cooking grates back on the grill once they are hot.
- Close the lid of the grill and adjust the vents to control the airflow and regulate the temperature.
- Allow the grill to preheat for a few more minutes, and then you're ready to start grilling!
Remember to follow all necessary safety precautions when handling fire and hot charcoal. Also, check the manufacturer's instructions for specific recommendations on lighting and operating your particular charcoal grill.
Best Charcoal Grills of November 2024
1
Rating is 5 out of 5
Royal Gourmet CC1830SC Charcoal Grill Offset Smoker with Cover, 811 Square Inches, Black, Outdoor Camping
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811 Square Inches: Includes 443 sq. in. porcelain-enameled steel wire cooking grates, 184 sq. in. chrome-plated warming rack and 184 sq. in. offset smoker.
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Tasty Smoke Flavors: The offset smoker is firmly attached to grill to ensure good circulation of heat and smoke. Easy to open side door to add charcoal and remove ashes; air vent stokes fire instantly.
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Adjustable Pan: 2-level height-adjustable charcoal pan creates better heat control and holds up to 4.4 lbs. of coal.
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Temperature Monitor: Lid-mounted thermometer gauge helps check and monitor the cooking temperature and you can cook with great confidence.
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Grill Cover Included: Made of heavy-duty fabric, the cover protects your grill from elements and withstands the harshest weather.
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Ample Space: Front and side tables offer workspace for seasonings and grilling tools. The bottom shelf provides extra storage space and holds up to only 20 lb. accessories when they are evenly distributed.
2
Rating is 4.9 out of 5
Weber Original Kettle 22-Inch Charcoal Grill
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Stay true to the modern version of the kettle that started it all—the Original Kettle, invented by Weber’s founder, and loved around the world. Its ultra-durable, porcelain-enameled lid and bowl retain heat, while the damperseasily adjust for precise temperature control. With a One-Touch cleaning system for easy cleanup after a long day of grilling, the Original Kettle will always be the grill built for everyone
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Holds up to 13 burgers made with a Weber burger press
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One-Touch cleaning system provides hassle-free ash cleanup.Removable, aluminum ash catcher
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Porcelain-enameled lid and bowl Retain heat, and won’t rust or peel
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Use the lid hook to avoid placing the lid on the ground while grilling
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Dampers allow you to easily control the temperature inside your grill
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3D interactive assembly instructions for this product are available through the free BILT app.
3
Rating is 4.8 out of 5
Char-Griller E1515 Patio Pro Charcoal Grill, Black
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CHARCOAL GRILL - Barrel style BBQ Grill with heavy duty steel construction and powder coating finish, the perfect grilling solution for small decks, backyards, and patios
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LARGE COOKING AREA - 250 square inch total cooking area delivers exceptional taste and charcoal flavor
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BARBECUE GRILL FEATURES - Thick Cast Iron Cooking Grates, Bottom Storage Rack, Heavy-Duty Steel Construction, Side Air Vent, Stay Cool Wood Handle, Wheels for Easy Mobility, and Side Shelf Workstation with Barbecue Tool Storage Hooks
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EASY TO ASSEMBLE & CLEAN - Assembles easily and quickly cleans up after use with the Easy Dump Ash Pan
4
Rating is 4.7 out of 5
Royal Gourmet CC1830 30 Barrel Charcoal Grill with Side Table, 627 Square Inches, Outdoor Backyard, Patio and Parties, Black
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627 Smoking Space: 443 sq. in. porcelain-enameled steel wire cooking grates with 184 sq. in. chrome-plated steel wire warming rack offer enough space to cook.
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Heat Control: Close the side air vent completely that cuts off the oxygen flow to help extinguish coals and adjust the smoke stack for extra heat control.
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Adjustable Fire Grates: 2-level height-adjustable fire pan ensures more controlled cooking and holds up to 6 lbs. of coal.
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Temperature Monitor: Lid-mounted thermometer gauge helps check heat fluctuations for confident grilling.
5
Rating is 4.6 out of 5
Royal Gourmet CD1824M 24-Inch Charcoal Grill, BBQ Smoker with Handle and Folding Table, Perfect for Outdoor Patio, Garden and Backyard Grilling, Black, Medium
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Spacious Cooking Area: 384 sq. in. porcelain-enameled steel wire cooking grates and 106 sq. in. stainless steel warming rack provide a total of 490 sq. in. cooking space respectively, serving up to 10 people.
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Height-adjustable Charcoal Pan: The crank handle controls the distance between the charcoal pan and food for fine-tuning temperature and regulating heat. The charcoal pan holds charcoal up to 4.5 lb. for each use.
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Convenient Access Door: Front charcoal access door with heat-resistant spring handle provides more convenience for adding charcoal and controls heat loss to a minimum during cooking.
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Built-in Thermometer Gauge: The lid-mounted thermometer indicates the temperature changes precisely in real-time.
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Air Flow: Two adjustable air vents control air circulation to enhance sufficient burning of charcoal for efficient smoking.
6
Rating is 4.5 out of 5
Royal Gourmet Barrel Charcoal Grill with Front Storage Basket, Backyard BBQ Party and Outdoor Cooking Grill on Clearance Prime with Wheels, Black, CC1830T
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Additional Cooking Options: The charcoal grill can meet your versatile cooking demands by slow smoking or grilling ribs, veggies, lobster tails, or other preferred ingredients.
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Ample Cooking Area: To accommodate 23 hamburgers at once, there are 443 sq. in. porcelain-enameled steel wire cooking grates and a 184 sq. in. chrome-plated steel wire warming rack as a secondary heating area.
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Impressive Storage: Store seasonings in the front basket, hang some cooking utensils on the integrated hooks, place plates and other food on the side tables, and meanwhile put your charcoal on the bottom storage shelf.
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Adjustable Charcoal Pan: Easily control the distance between food and fire with the lifting handle to regulate cooking temperature, which also saves fuel in the meantime.
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Heat Control: Customize your desired temperature by twisting the air damper and smoke stack, thus getting the best cooking results.
7
Rating is 4.4 out of 5
Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill, 22-Inch, Black
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Holds up to 13 burgers made with a Weber burger press; Built-in lid thermometer. Rust-resistant aluminum dampers
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One-Touch cleaning system with high-capacity ash catcher provides hassle-free ash cleanup
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Porcelain-enameled lid and bowl retain heat, and won’t rust or peel
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Use the lid hook to avoid placing the lid on the ground while grilling
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Cooking grate is hinged for easily adding charcoal while grilling
8
Rating is 4.3 out of 5
Royal Gourmet CC1830S 30" BBQ Charcoal Grill and Offset Smoker | 811 Square Inch cooking surface, Outdoor for Camping | Black
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811 Square Inches: Includes 443 sq. in. porcelain-enameled steel wire cooking grates, 184 sq. in. chrome-plated warming rack and 184 sq. in. offset smoker.
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Tasty Smoke Flavors: The offset smoker is firmly attached to grill to ensure good circulation of heat and smoke. Easy to open side door to add charcoal and remove ashes; air vent stokes fire instantly.
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Adjustable Pan: 2-level height-adjustable charcoal pan creates better heat control and holds up to 4.4 lbs. of coal.
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Temperature Monitor: Lid-mounted thermometer gauge helps check and monitor the cooking temperature and you can cook with great confidence.
9
Rating is 4.2 out of 5
Dyna-Glo DGN576SNC-D X-Large Premium Dual Chamber Charcoal Grill
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Removable firebox divider for single or dual cooking zone
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Primary cooking area is 576 square inches
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Secondary cooking area is 240 square inches
10
Rating is 4.1 out of 5
Royal Gourmet CC1830W 30 Barrel Charcoal Grill with Side Table, 627 Square Inches, Outdoor Backyard, Patio and Parties, Black
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Spacious Cooking Area: Includes 443 sq. in. porcelain-enameled steel wire cooking grates, 184 sq. in. chrome-plated steel wire warming rack, and 184 sq. in. offset smoker.
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Offset Smoker: Use the side fire box to get tasty and authentic smoky flavors in the main chamber. Smoking, grilling, or searing all will be your choices.
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Adjustable Charcoal Pan: 2-level height-adjustable charcoal pan ensures better heat control and holds up to 4.4 lb. of coal.
Should I remove the top grate of the grill before lighting the charcoal?
In most cases, it is recommended to remove the top grate of the grill before lighting the charcoal. This allows for better airflow and ensures that the charcoal ignites properly. Removing the top grate also prevents any residue or debris on the grate from falling onto the charcoal, which could affect the taste of your food.
What materials do I need to start a charcoal grill with a chimney?
To start a charcoal grill with a chimney, you will need the following materials:
- Charcoal: Choose high-quality charcoal briquettes or lump charcoal. Avoid self-lighting charcoal as it contains chemicals that can affect the taste of your food.
- Chimney starter: A chimney starter is a metal cylinder with a handle, holes at the bottom, and a grate inside. It helps create a strong, even heat by allowing the charcoal to ignite from the bottom up.
- Fire starters: You can use newspaper, fire starter cubes, or paraffin cubes to help light the charcoal in the chimney starter.
- Lighter or matches: You will need a lighter or matches to ignite the fire starters.
- Heat-resistant gloves: It is recommended to wear heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands from the hot chimney starter and charcoal.
- Grill or cooking grate: Once the charcoal is ready, you'll need a grill or cooking grate to place over the hot coals for cooking your food.
Optional materials:
- Long-handled tongs: Used for handling and arranging the charcoal in the grill.
- Long-handled spatula or grill brush: For cleaning and maintaining the grill.
- Aluminum foil: Handy for creating small compartments for indirect grilling or to wrap food for a more tender cook.
Remember to always follow the manufacturer's instructions and ensure proper ventilation when using a charcoal grill.
Can I use wood chips or chunks with a charcoal grill chimney?
Yes, you can use wood chips or chunks with a charcoal grill chimney. Simply place the wood chips or chunks on top of the charcoal in the chimney, ensuring they are well-distributed. When you light the charcoal in the chimney, the wood will start to smoke, infusing your food with a smoky flavor. Once the charcoal is fully lit and ashed over, you can then transfer it to your grill for cooking. It's a great way to add additional flavor to your grilled food.
Can I use a chimney to start a charcoal grill with mesquite or other flavored charcoal?
Yes, you can use a chimney to start a charcoal grill with mesquite or other flavored charcoal. A chimney is an effective and recommended tool for lighting charcoal quickly and evenly. Simply fill the chimney with the desired mesquite or flavored charcoal, place some newspaper or lighter cubes underneath, and light them. The heat and flames will rise up and ignite the charcoal within, allowing it to burn and heat up evenly. Once the charcoal is fully lit and covered with ash, you can then transfer it to your grill to begin cooking with the mesquite or flavored charcoal.
What is the best way to light the newspaper in the chimney?
To light a newspaper in a chimney, you can follow these steps:
- Gather your materials: You will need a newspaper, fire starters (such as small pieces of dry wood or commercially available fire starters), and kindling (small twigs, dried leaves, or small branches).
- Ensure proper ventilation: Open the damper or flue of your chimney to allow for proper airflow. This will help draw in fresh air and aid in the fire's combustion.
- Prepare the fireplace: Clean any ashes or debris left from previous fires, ensuring a clear area for your newspaper fire.
- Roll the newspaper: Take a single sheet of newspaper and roll it tightly from one corner to the opposite corner, creating a long, narrow tube. This rolled-up newspaper will act as your fire starter.
- Position the newspaper: Place the rolled-up newspaper in a vertical or diagonal position at the back of your fireplace, near the opening to the flue or chimney.
- Add kindling: Arrange a small amount of dry kindling, such as twigs or small branches, around and on top of the newspaper. Make sure the kindling is dry and arranged in a structured manner, allowing airflow between the pieces.
- Light the newspaper: Use a long lighter or matches to ignite the bottom end of the rolled-up newspaper. Be careful while lighting the newspaper, using caution to avoid any burns.
- Monitor the fire: Once the newspaper catches fire, carefully observe the flame to ensure it ignites the kindling. If needed, gently blow on the fire to provide extra oxygen, promoting better combustion.
- Add larger logs: As the kindling catches fire and begins to burn, gradually add larger pieces of firewood on top of the kindling. This will create a stronger, more sustained fire. Ensure the wood is properly arranged for efficient burning.
- Close the fireplace screen or door: Once the fire is established, you can close the screen or door of your fireplace for safety while still allowing necessary airflow.
Remember to always follow proper safety guidelines when dealing with fire and chimneys, such as wearing protective gloves and using a fireplace tool set. Additionally, be aware of any local regulations or safety precautions specific to your area.