Let’s face it—charcoal BBQs are awesome, but getting them started can feel like a chore. Whether you’re out on your balcony or setting up for a backyard gathering, figuring out the best way to set up a charcoal BBQ can mean the difference between a great meal and a smoky headache.
If you’ve ever struggled to get the fire going, or found yourself googling “charcoal BBQ best way to light” or “charcoal bbq how to light” while holding a half-burnt match, you’re in the right place. There are some proper ways to charcoal grill as below.
What You’ll Need to Light a Charcoal BBQ
Before you fire it up, take a minute to gather what you need:
Lump charcoal or briquettes
Firelighters or a chimney starter
Long matches or a BBQ lighter
A pair of heat-resistant gloves
Your trusty BBQ grill
Some patience (seriously)
If you’re using a wall mounted charcoal grill (like our space-saving balcony model), you’ll also want to check that it’s securely clipped or mounted before lighting anything. Safety first!
How much charcoal is needed?
As you can imagine, the more charcoal, the more heat, but charcoal also provides a long-lasting fire for low-temperature slow cooking. The key is how you place the charcoal.
A balcony wall mounted charcoal bbq grills like ours doesn’t need a lot of charcoal, basically you can just lay the bottom flat as it’s only 12cm high and the charcoal burns hot enough to heat up food for 3-5 people!
Step-by-Step: Best Way to Set Up a Charcoal BBQ
There’s no one-size-fits-all method, but here’s a pretty solid approach that works in most situations:
1. Clean and Set Your BBQ Grill
Start with a clean surface—nobody wants last week’s burger bits. If you’re using a balcony wall mounted charcoal BBQ that clips onto the railing, make sure it’s stable and the clamps are tight.
2. Stack the Charcoal Right
Placing charcoal in grill. For a steady burn, build a pyramid or mound of charcoal in the center of the grill. Not too flat, not too high.
3. Add Firelighters
Place 1–2 natural firelighters underneath the charcoal, or use a chimney starter if you have one. Avoid lighter fluid—it messes with the flavor and can be dangerous.
4. Light It Up
Use long matches or a BBQ lighter. Light up the natural firelighters at first. Once the firelighters catch, the charcoal should slowly begin to gray over.
5. Wait It Out
Give it about 15–20 minutes. The coals are ready when they’re covered with a thin layer of white ash. Now you’re good to go grilling food.
It’s an easy way to light charcoal grill, right?
Mistakes to Avoid
A few things not to do (yes, we’ve done them too):
Don’t smother the fire with too much charcoal, They will produce much smoke. And then you will Ahem.
Don’t light it in strong wind, it is dangerous—unless you enjoy chaos
Don’t skip the preheat time—it makes all the difference
Don’t overload your grill if it’s small (like a compact wall-mounted BBQ)
What kind of charcoal should I choose for grilling?
You need to choose the right charcoal for your cooking purposes. The most common types of charcoal are:
Lump Charcoal
Lump Charcoal is made from pure hardwood carbonization. It ignites quickly, has strong firepower, and has little ash. It is suitable for high-temperature rapid baking.
Briquettes
Briquette charcoal is pressed from wood byproducts. It has a uniform shape, burns long and stably, but may contain a small amount of adhesive.
Coconut Charcoal
Coconut Charcoal is derived from coconut shells. It burns for a long time, has a high temperature, has no odor, is more environmentally friendly, and provides a cleaner smoking effect.
Purchase suggestions
If you want extreme high temperature and quick response, and don’t mind frequent refilling, you can give priority to lump charcoal;
If you need long-term stable firepower and easy temperature control, you can choose briquettes;
If you pay attention to environmental protection and long-term combustion, coconut charcoal is the best choice.
Lighting a BBQ with charcoal doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right setup, a few basics, and a little patience, you’re 20 minutes away from great food and great company. Whether you’re grilling for a weekend brunch or just want to try something new on the balcony, the key is to keep it simple—and fun.
