Barbecue season is here, and there’s nothing like firing up the grill for a sizzling outdoor feast. But before you start grilling, it’s important to know how to use a BBQ Firelighter safely. Some people have trouble starting a fire. We’re here to tell you that with a little know-how, you can have a fire blazing in minutes.
Easy to Light Natural Firelighters
If there is no fire, there is no smoke and therefore no BBQ. Before we dive into the safety aspects, let’s talk about choosing the right BBQ firelighters. Choose natural firelighters made from wood chips and a thin coating of natural wax. Why waste time trying to start a fire with traditional firelighters when you can use a source that is both easy to use and completely natural? Natural firelighters are an excellent way to start a wood or charcoal fire. Not only are they all natural, but they are also non-toxic, easy to use, have a long burn time, and produce a fantastic flame!
Some of the best BBQ firelighters we’ve found are those that burn for a long time (about 8-10 minutes), giving you plenty of time to ignite your charcoal or wood. These firelighters are made from wood shavings compressed into cylindrical briquettes. They are coated with a thin layer of natural wax to improve combustion. This means that they contain no synthetic materials, so there are no unpleasant odors when you light a fire.
How to Light a Barbecue
Follow these simple tips to get the most out of your grill.
- Set up in an open area. You’re starting a controlled fire, so place your BBQ in an open area away from fences and trees. Keep a fire extinguisher or a pail of water nearby and keep children and pets at a safe distance. Use long-handled tongs and properly insulated grilling equipment to avoid burning yourself.
- Know whether you need direct or indirect heat before you start cooking. How you position your coals will provide you with different heat zones and more control over your grill.
Direct heat. If you think of a grill as a stove, lighting an even layer of coals is the same as cooking everything over high heat in the hottest pan. Although this direct method may work for small pieces of meat that cook quickly (such as burgers and thinly sliced steaks), it will char anything that needs more time to cook.
Indirect heat. Push the coals to one side of the grill while leaving the other side free to achieve a variety of temperatures; use the coal-free side to cook indirectly. Hot coals on one side allow you to cook on one half while keeping food warm on the other. If you have a kettle grill, you can use this setup to cook large portions of meat indirectly and slowly.
The second method is to place an old roasting tray in the center of the barbecue and stack the coals around it before cooking the meal on the grill over the tray, which is again covered by the lid. The heat travels throughout the barbecue, creating a hot smoker/spit roast effect.
Indirect cooking is ideal for larger joints and meat on the bone, such as chicken and lamb. It’s also suitable for more fragile goods like fish fillets. It also provides direct heat where the coals are placed, which is useful for fast browning other foods. Cooking indirectly implies that food will not burn or scorch.
- Arrange the kindling. Place the firelighter in the center of the formation. Light the Firelighter and the kindling will ignite by itself. Keep an eye on your grill at all times while cooking.
Grilling Safety Tips
- Once your grill is lit, continue to make safety a priority throughout the grilling process.
- Keep children and pets away from the grill and have a fire extinguisher or bucket of sand handy.
- Keep grill lighters away from heat and moisture to keep them functional.
- Handle food with long-handled utensils to prevent burns and splatters.
- If a flare-up occurs, move the food to a cooler area of the grill or temporarily close the lid to smother the flames.
- After grilling, allow the coals to cool completely before disposing of them. Use water to extinguish any remaining embers.
Conclusion
BBQ firelighters can be a great addition to your outdoor cooking experience, but safety is of the utmost importance. Following these guidelines will ensure a safe and successful grilling experience. Choose the best BBQ firelighters we’ve found, prioritize safety precautions, and monitor your grill throughout the cooking process. You’ll be ready to grill up a storm and enjoy delicious barbecue flavors in the great outdoors with these tips. Happy grilling!
