Let’s say during the 17th century, before a German chemist named Johann Wolfgang Döbereiner in 1823 invented the use of lighters, you wanted to grill your meat during a family picnic. And let’s say the butane fluid is exhausted, so you can not kindle a fire. What will you do? At first, the thought of getting a new lighter comes to mind, but what if I tell you there are many ways of how to light a charcoal without lighter fluid.
While many will be thinking through the many native patterns, there are some elite methods and techniques to light a charcoal. This technique will also save you a lot by preventing the smell and fumes from penetrating your food.
Constantly, people ask what is the best way to light charcoal without using a lighter fluid; hence, the reason for this article. Although this might be a familiar topic that is common to some, it is still strange. You can read along to see the different ways that you can light your charcoal.
How To Light A Charcoal Without Lighter Fluid
The use of lighter fluid to light charcoal has raised concerns concerning how safe it can be and also the taste of the food. And so to address these concerns, here are 20 creative and effective ways to light charcoal without using lighter fluid.
1. Newspaper Method
The use of newspaper or any dry paper is one of the most common and easy-to-use ways to light charcoal. You can use the newspaper well by simply crumping it in folds and placing it at the bottom of the charcoal. Then you can light the paper and let the flames gradually fuel the charcoal.
2. Electric Charcoal Starter
Later in this article, we will speak more about this, but you must not break the bank to do this. You can get an electrical machine that uses electricity to heat up charcoal.
Although this method is not cheap, still it is a clean and safe method and produces little ash. If you want to make use of the technique, you just place the charcoal in the starter, plug it in to get hot. You will have to wait for the charcoal to turn gray before spreading it on the grill.
3. Charcoal Chimney
This mechanical pattern is another good way to light charcoal. The charcoal chimney is a metal cylinder with a handle and a mesh bottom. First of all, you have to fill the chimney with charcoal, then place a crumpled newspaper at the bottom and light it. The airflow through the chimney will help the charcoal heat up evenly and quickly.
4. Lava Rocks or Ceramic Briquettes
This is another substance that can serve in place of lighter fluid. By soaking the rocks or briquettes in some amount of water for a few hours, then placing them at the bottom of the grill and lighting them. The moisture will help the rocks or briquettes light up the charcoal without any need for lighter fluid.
5. Fire Starter Cubes
Also, another material, made of compressed wood chips and wax, is used to make fire starter cubes or blocks. These cubes can be easily lit without lighting fluid. You can light it up by simply placing a few cubes at the bottom of the charcoal chimney and lighting them up.
6. DIY Fire Starter
Surprisingly also, you can create your own fire starter using dry materials to light it up. You can use substances like sawdust, wood shavings or cotton balls mixed with wax or petroleum jelly. You can gather them together, try to form them into small balls or logs and let them dry. This is a homemade fire starter and can be used to light.
7. Alcohol
To light charcoal, you can use alcohol as a fluid. One major alcohol you can use is Isopropyl alcohol, which is also called rubbing alcohol. To use it, you can soak a piece of cotton ball or paper towel with alcohol and place it at the bottom of the charcoal chimney. Light the soaked material and the alcohol will help light the charcoal.
8. Soda Can Funnel
Turn an empty soda can into a makeshift funnel to light charcoal. Poke small holes in the bottom of the can and place it upside-down on the grill grate. After filling the can with charcoal, you can then light the holes and let the fire spread to the charcoal.
9. Charcoal Starter Gel
Another is charcoal starter gel. If you are looking for something more natural, tangible and made from natural ingredients like vegetable oil and Citrus. Soak charcoal in the gel for about 15 minutes, then use as an alternative to lighter fluid
10. Cornstarch and Water Mixture
Here you can also get a solution that can light up charcoal by mixing an equal portion of cornstarch and water to create a thick paste. Apply this mixture to the charcoal and let it dry for few hours. The paste that is made can light charcoal more easily without the need for lighter fluid.
11. Electric Charcoal Igniter
Furthermore, this is a handheld device that uses a high-voltage spark to cause a fire to light charcoal. This method has been considered most recently because it is clean, efficient and produces less ash. You can handle this method by simply placing the igniter near the charcoal, pressing the button, and watching the charcoal light.
12. Blow Drying Method
Another way is to use a hairdryer to light up charcoal. This is done by taking the hairdryer to its highest heat setting and directing the hot air towards the charcoal. But you have to ensure that there is proper ventilation around you while still making sure you maintain a safe distance from the blow dryer. This method may take longer than others, but can still light charcoal without the use of lighter fluid.
13. Portable Butane Stove
This method is easy to carry around, hence the name portable butane stove. To use the portable butane stove, you have to place the charcoal at a distance not far from the stove’s burner. The heat from the burner will certainly heat up the charcoal, allowing you to cook without the need for lighter fluid.
14. Charcoal Pizza Oven
The usage of this process is very popular and easy-going. By just preheating the oven, you can be sure to see the charcoal light itself. The enclosed environment of the oven will help the charcoal heat up quickly and evenly.
15. Solar-Powered Charcoal Ignition
This is not a practical, day-to-day kind of tool. The solar-powered charcoal ignition system can be built using a solar panel, a battery and a small fan. First, the solar panel charges the battery, which in turn powers the fan. The fan directs air into the charcoal, causing it to ignite.
16. Magnesium Fire Starter
Magnesium fire starters are not heavy, waterproof or easy to use. They create a powerful spark when struck against the metal steel that comes with them. Place the magnesium fire starter at the bottom of the charcoal chimney and light it up.
17. Homemade Charcoal Starter Box
The homemade charcoal starter box is a DIY mechanism. You start by placing the charcoal on the foil inside the box, covering it with another layer of foil and poking small holes in the top layer. Light the newspaper and the holes will allow air to circulate, igniting the charcoal.
18. DIY Charcoal Burner
Construct a simple charcoal burner using a metal can, a metal grate and some rocks or bricks. Fill the can with charcoal, place the grate on top, and light the charcoal using any of the methods mentioned above. The rocks or bricks will help distribute the heat evenly.
Types Of Charcoal That Are Hard To Light
Also, in your pursuit of this knowledge of how to light charcoal without lighter fluid, you need to know that these different patterns work in different ways for different types of charcoal. For example, natural lump charcoal is made of hardwoods and is not so popular because it is difficult to light compared to others.
Additionally, hardwood lump charcoal, which burns hot and has a smoky aroma. Yet, it can be challenging to light at times due to its irregular shape and lack of a binder. These always lead to inconsistent heat and difficulty in determining the temperature it can reach. These types of charcoal may require more effort and time to light compared to other types.
What Are Some Tips For Lightning Hard Charcoals?
For hard-to-light charcoal, you need to consider some alternative methods to help light the charcoal, like:
- A chimney starter
- A paper towel
- A cooking oil
- A fire starters
- A propane grill torch
- A newspaper
- A chimney starter
- An electric starters
- A Blazaball
Using any of these methods gives you a more efficient and safe way to light up some challenging charcoal types without the need for lighter fluid. Each method provides a clean and effective way to start your charcoal grill. And these will help you overcome the difficulties associated with hard-to-light charcoal varieties.
Conclusion
Lighter fluid may have been a convenient option in the past, but with the variety of innovative methods available today, there is no need to rely on it. During some sorts of outdoor activities, charcoal is a primary source of fuel used for some cooking activities. Hence, there is a need to master other means to light the charcoal in case you forget to go along with lighter fluid.
