3 Ways To Create A Strong Burning Charcoal Fire Without Lighter Fluid

Home » How To Start Charcoal Without Lighter Fluid » 3 Ways To Create A Strong Burning Charcoal Fire Without Lighter Fluid

Maybe your like

Skip to ContentQuizzes
  • Home
  • Random
  • Browse Articles
  • Quizzes & Games
  • All QuizzesHot
  • Love Quizzes
  • Personality Quizzes
  • Fun Games
  • Dating Simulator
  • Learn Something New
  • Forums
  • Courses
  • Happiness Hub
  • Explore More
  • Support wikiHow
  • About wikiHow
  • Log in / Sign up
Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Create a Strong Burning Charcoal Fire Without Lighter Fluid PDF download Download Article Reviewed by Chef Jeff Woodward

Last Updated: May 22, 2025

PDF download Download Article
  • How to Use a Chimney Starter
    • |
  • How to Start a Fire with Newspaper
    • |
  • How to Build and Maintain a Strong Fire
    • |
  • Video
    • |
  • Q&A
    • |
  • Tips
    • |
  • Warnings
    • |
  • Things You'll Need
|Show more |Show less ARTICLE VIDEO X

This article was reviewed by Chef Jeff Woodward. Jeff Woodward is a Private Chef and the Owner of The Rogue Chef based in Branson, Missouri. With over 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry, he has cooked for esteemed clients including The Harlem Globetrotters, Peyton Manning, Mark Wahlberg, and Justin Timberlake. Chef Jeff won the Branson Tri-Lakes News Reader's Choice Award 2023 for Best Catering. He has been the Featured Chef Demonstrator for 2 years in a row for The Women's Show in Springfield, MO. The Rogue Chef has been the Hollister Chamber of Commerce Spotlight Chef, an award published in Tri-Lakes News. Chef Jeff's food has been featured on KY3 Television. He publishes a recipe weekly in the Branson Globe newspaper and monthly in Lost on the Lake Magazine. He published a feature article for Chef Talks in Discover Home and Style Magazine. He has an associate’s degree from Southwestern Illinois College and a Culinary Arts degree with a Certification in Baking from Ozark Technical College. This article has been viewed 555,794 times.

The taste of lighter fluid can ruin your barbecue, and it imparts chemicals on your meat and grill that may not be safe to ingest in large quantities. Luckily, there is a variety of other ways to get your grill going, and keep it going, that require little more than some newspaper and a chimney starter if you have one.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 3:

How to Use a Chimney Starter

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Know that inexpensive chimney starters are the easiest way to get a strong fire every time. 1 Know that inexpensive chimney starters are the easiest way to get a strong fire every time. Usually sold for under $30, chimney starters use newspaper and heat convection to evenly light up your charcoal briquets. You can then safely dump them into your grill and get cooking within 15-20 minutes.
  2. Step 2 Load the bottom of the chimney starter with lightly balled newspaper. 2 Load the bottom of the chimney starter with lightly balled newspaper. Between 2 and 4 pieces of paper, depending on the size of the starter, should do. Don't ball it up very tightly, simply crumple it into loose balls so that hot air can fill in the spaces. These will eventually light your charcoals.
    • If your chimney doesn't have a solid bottom, place the paper on the charcoal grate of your grill and lower the chimney on top of it.
    Advertisement
  3. Step 3 Fill the top of the starter fully with charcoal briquets. 3 Fill the top of the starter fully with charcoal briquets. Take you favorite charcoal and fill the chimney starter all the way to the top. You should be able to access the paper from the bottom.
  4. Step 4 Light the paper in several place from the bottom and set it on your grill. 4 Light the paper in several place from the bottom and set it on your grill. The paper will quickly heat up, and the hot air and burning paper will ignite the bottom coals. Once the paper burns out, the coals will light each other, as hot air is pulled through the bottom of the chimney and through the coals.[1]
    • The chimney will quickly heat up, so place it on a flame-proof, sturdy surface as the coals heat. The grill, already prepared for you to dump your coals, is a great place, as is a brick patio (though it will potentially leave burn marks).
  5. Step 5 Dump the coals on the grill when the top pieces are covered gray. 5 Dump the coals on the grill when the top pieces are covered gray. This usually only takes 10-15 minutes. Once you dump the coals, you'll be ready to grill.[2] Most chimneys are dumped by carefully turning them upside down over the grill, but higher-end models may have a release switch which dumps the coals from the bottom. Dump the coals where you want them instead of dumping in the middle then trying to move them -- they may break up and lose heat if they are constantly picked up and moved.
    • If you plan to grill for more than 30 minutes, add 2-3 handfuls of charcoal now to keep the fire going when you need it.
  6. Step 6 Make sure the vents are open for a larger fire. 6 Make sure the vents are open for a larger fire. Open vents send more air and oxygen to the fire, helping it grow quickly. Keep the lid open as you position the coals and sear anything your want to grill, then close it to smoke the meat or cook it more slowly.
    7. Advertisement
Method 2 Method 2 of 3:

How to Start a Fire with Newspaper

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Open the bottom vents and clean out the ash. 1 Open the bottom vents and clean out the ash. You need good, consistent airflow to get your fire going, as the charcoal needs oxygen to burn. Make sure to dump any ash, as this takes up space needed for proper airflow, and to leave the vents completely open.
  2. Step 2 Crumple up 4-5 pieces of newspaper and place them in the center grill. 2 Crumple up 4-5 pieces of newspaper and place them in the center grill. Make a small pile of newspaper in the middle of the charcoal grate. You can also use the paper of the charcoal bag too. Paper lights quickly, and the flame from the paper will help the charcoal catch.
    • If you are struggling to light your fires with newspaper alone, soak half the paper in olive, canola, or vegetable oil. The oil will cause the paper to burn slower, which may give the charcoal more time to catch. This DIY solution, though far from perfect, has a lot of proponents as a natural alternative to lighter fluid.
  3. Step 3 Place small, dry sticks on top of your newspaper. 3 Place small, dry sticks on top of your newspaper. Kindling, which is small wood pieces used to start a fire, has a higher flaming point than paper, which will help light the charcoal. Place a handful of kindling on top and around your paper, making a little nest of sorts. The paper will light the kindling, and the kindling and paper together will light the briquets.
    • If the sticks easily snap in your hands, making a loud popping sound, they are dry enough to use.
    • Have a spare handful of kindling nearby as well, in case the fire needs extra fuel.
    • If you don't have any stick around, use extra paper. You may have to keep feeding it into the fire until the briquets catch, however, so have several pieces handy.
  4. Step 4 Place 3-4 pieces of charcoal on top of your pile. 4 Place 3-4 pieces of charcoal on top of your pile. These are going to start the fire for the rest of your charcoal. Place them near the center and rest them on the sticks. As the paper crumbles below, you want to still have some flames beneath the briquets.
    • While briquets (the small square pieces of charcoal) will burn for longer, hardwood charcoal is easier to catch and burns hotter initially.
  5. Step 5 Ignite the paper from several places. 5 Ignite the paper from several places. Use a match or a fire-starter to light several corners of the paper, getting a nice bright fire going. You should notice the kindling starting to catch in the big, leaping flames created by the paper.
    • If the stick haven't quite caught as the paper is dying out, loosely crumple up 1-2 more pieces and places them on the edges, near the sticks.
  6. Step 6 Get the charcoal smoking. 6 Get the charcoal smoking. If you see gray or white edges of ash on the briquets and the pieces are smoking, you're in business. This process is slow, but it will eventually start a fire. Keep your lighter fire of kindling and newspaper going until you've got some ash on the outside of the pieces.
  7. Step 7 Slowly add more pieces of charcoal to the fire you've made. 7 Slowly add more pieces of charcoal to the fire you've made. Once you've got the first few briquets smoking you can start adding more pieces, one after the other. A strong charcoal fire does not look like a wood fire -- if you see white or gray ash developing on the outside of the squares, you should be good to go. You will not likely see, however, large licking flames.
    • Keep adding briquets until you have a large pile in the center of the grill. The inner briquets, for now, will be the only hot ones. You should see smoke coming up from the center of your pile. Depending on the size of your grill, you'll need a different amount of briquets:
    • Small, personal grills can usually get by with 25-30 pieces.
    • Medium size grills, like the most common 22" grill, should have roughly 40 briquets.
    • Large grills may need anywhere from 1-2 bags of charcoal, and will take a long time to get hot using this method.
  8. Step 8 Wait to distribute your coals for cooking until they are mostly covered in white/gray ash. 8 Wait to distribute your coals for cooking until they are mostly covered in white/gray ash. The inside of the pile will be glowing bright red with heat. This means you are ready to cook. Add any more briquets you might want if they fire has gotten small, and then place the charcoal in it's desired location with a pair of long-handled tongs. This can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.
    9. Advertisement
Method 3 Method 3 of 3:

How to Build and Maintain a Strong Fire

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Keep your coals close together for a strong burning fire. 1 Keep your coals close together for a strong burning fire. You want to keep the coals packed together, where they will conserve heat and burn hot. That said, they also need some airflow to burn best, so don't crowd them so much that they are tightly in a line. A loose pile is perfect. There are several methods of grilling to keep your fire burning strong:
    • Even Grilling coats the entire bottom of the grill with 2 layers of briquets. There are no spaces and everything is added evenly, allowing the whole grill to reach a consistent, even temperature. Use this if you need to cook a lot of food quickly.
    • Two-Zone Grilling Allows you to keep half the area open for indirect cooking or warming food. You need to shuffle half the charcoals into an even pile on one half of the grill, making sure there are 2-3 layers of briquets on the "hot half" of the grill.[3]
  2. Step 2 Add more coals regularly to keep your grill burning. 2 Add more coals regularly to keep your grill burning. The coals will be hot enough, if they are red, glowing, and covered white, to get fresh charcoal burning. Do no wait until you're almost out of briquets. Instead, add the rest of the charcoal when you have roughly half of your charcoals remaining. You may have to wait 5-10 minutes, when the new coals are covered gray/white, to start cooking again, but this is better than reigniting the grill from scratch.
    • If you plan on cooking for a long time, you should add 2-3 handfuls of coals every 30 minutes after the first set ignites.
  3. Step 3 Keep the top and bottom vents open for maximum heat. 3 Keep the top and bottom vents open for maximum heat. The more air you get to the fire, the hotter it will cook. Fire needs oxygen to burn, so the more oxygen you provide the hotter you can get your charcoal fire. If you need to control the temperature, close one or both of the vents partially, usually the upper vent.
  4. Step 4 Empty the ash as it builds up. 4 Empty the ash as it builds up. There is a small lever that lets you open and close the bottom vents on your grill, and this same lever can be used to remove ash through the vents. Ash takes up space for air and will smother the coals as it builds up.
  5. Step 5 Consider adding hardwood for added flavor and a hotter fire. 5 Consider adding hardwood for added flavor and a hotter fire. Chunks of hickory or applewood add fantastic BBQ flavors, and the wood should catch quickly on the hot charcoals. While wood burns quicker and hotter than charcoal briquets, a combination of charcoal and wood or wood chips is often the best way to a professional fire.
  6. Step 6 Seal up any unused briquets. 6 Seal up any unused briquets. If you don't use a full bag of charcoal, use a clip to seal the top of the bag. The additives in the charcoal can evaporate, making them harder to light next time, especially without lighter fluid.
    7. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search Add New Question
  • Question Can I use any old paper I have around the house? Margaret Adams Margaret Adams Community Answer There should not be a problem with using old paper to start your fire. I would use old newspaper or paper that you have in your shred pile. Be mindful of your location, as paper burns it tends to get lighter and can blow with the wind while still lit. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 1 Helpful 10
  • Question Does the wood kindling affect the flavor of the food? Community Answer Community Answer To a certain extent, yes. To an untrained palate it might not be that noticeable, but this is why certain woods are sought after for cooking (mesquite, hickory, etc.). Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 6
  • Question Can I use tissue papers? Community Answer Community Answer Yes, but they will burn very quickly. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 5 Helpful 9
See more answers Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

Video

Read Video Transcript

Tips

  • You can make your own chimney by using a punch type can opener to make holes along the bottom edge of the side a large metal coffee can. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

  • The most common mistake is to compress the newspaper too much. Thanks Helpful 23 Not Helpful 18
  • Start with a manageable amount of charcoal, then add more once it is started. Thanks Helpful 10 Not Helpful 6
  • Leaving your chimney starter unattended. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 9
Advertisement

Things You'll Need

  • Chimney starter - very inexpensive and you'll never need lighter fluid again
  • Charcoal
  • Matches or a candle/fireplace lighter
  • Newspaper

You Might Also Like

Create a Strong Burning Charcoal FireHow toCreate a Strong Burning Charcoal Fire Light a Charcoal GrillHow to Start a Charcoal Grill Using Lumps or Briquettes Light BriquettesHow toLight Briquettes Use a Charcoal GrillHow to Cook On a Charcoal Barbecue Grill (Step-by-Step) GrillHow to Grill Light a Fire in a FireplaceHow toLight a Fire in a Fireplace Make a Bonfire with Lighter FluidHow toMake a Bonfire with Lighter Fluid Use a Charcoal SmokerHow toUse a Charcoal Smoker Keep a Fire BurningHow to Keep a Fire Burning & Make It Last Longer Use an Offset SmokerOffset Smoker 101: How to Use It & Cook Flavorful Food Build a FireA Step-by-Step Guide for Successfully Making a Fire Start a Gas GrillHow to Start a Gas or Propane Grill Make Charcoal3 DIY Ways to Make Charcoal Cook in an Indoor FireplaceHow toCook in an Indoor Fireplace Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ http://www.savoryreviews.com/2009/05/09/how-to-start-your-grillsmoker-without-lighter-fluid/
  2. ↑ https://www.seriouseats.com/grilling-lighting-the-fire-without-lighter-fluid
  3. ↑ http://amazingribs.com/tips_and_technique/2-zone_indirect_cooking.html
  4. Videos provided by TheRealCreophus

About This Article

Chef Jeff Woodward Reviewed by: Chef Jeff Woodward Private Chef This article was reviewed by Chef Jeff Woodward. Jeff Woodward is a Private Chef and the Owner of The Rogue Chef based in Branson, Missouri. With over 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry, he has cooked for esteemed clients including The Harlem Globetrotters, Peyton Manning, Mark Wahlberg, and Justin Timberlake. Chef Jeff won the Branson Tri-Lakes News Reader's Choice Award 2023 for Best Catering. He has been the Featured Chef Demonstrator for 2 years in a row for The Women's Show in Springfield, MO. The Rogue Chef has been the Hollister Chamber of Commerce Spotlight Chef, an award published in Tri-Lakes News. Chef Jeff's food has been featured on KY3 Television. He publishes a recipe weekly in the Branson Globe newspaper and monthly in Lost on the Lake Magazine. He published a feature article for Chef Talks in Discover Home and Style Magazine. He has an associate’s degree from Southwestern Illinois College and a Culinary Arts degree with a Certification in Baking from Ozark Technical College. This article has been viewed 555,794 times. 2 votes - 100% Co-authors: 24 Updated: May 22, 2025 Views: 555,794 Categories: Fire Making | Barbecue Article SummaryX

One of the easiest ways to get a strong charcoal fire going is to use a chimney starter. First, load up the bottom of the chimney starter with some lightly wadded-up newspaper. You should only need 2-4 pieces, depending on the size of the starter. Then, load the starter all the way to the top with charcoal briquettes. Insert a lighter through one of the holes in the bottom of the chimney starter and light the newspaper on fire. Do this again with several of the other holes around the base of the starter, then set the starter in your grill. Once the newspapers burn up, the coals should begin to burn. Wait until the coals at the top of the chimney starter turn gray, which should take about 10-15 minutes, then dump the coals out into your grill. If you want the fire to last for more than 30 minutes, add 2-3 more handfuls of charcoal to the grill to help keep the fire going. You can also open the vents on the grill to feed the fire with oxygen and make it stronger. For tips on using keeping your fire going strong, read on! Did this summary help you?YesNo

In other languages Spanish Italian Russian French Indonesian German Arabic Dutch Korean Japanese
  • Print
  • Send fan mail to authors
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 555,794 times.

Reader Success Stories

  • Mal Arnold

    Mal Arnold

    Jul 18, 2017

    "Newbie griller. Should be called barbecuing for idiots as clear and simple pictures and instructions. Thank you." Rated this article:
More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story

Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Chef Jeff Woodward Reviewed by: Chef Jeff Woodward Private Chef Co-authors: 24 Updated: May 22, 2025 Views: 555,794 100% of readers found this article helpful. 2 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote Mal Arnold

Mal Arnold

Jul 18, 2017

"Newbie griller. Should be called barbecuing for idiots as clear and simple pictures and instructions. Thank you." Rated this article: Tony Espinoza

Tony Espinoza

Apr 3, 2018

"Newspaper, Kindle and a few charcoal. It works for me! Thanks!!" Derly Rendon

Derly Rendon

May 27, 2017

"Now I know how to start a fire without fluid. Thanks." Rated this article: Wayne Mckeithan

Wayne Mckeithan

Sep 22, 2016

"Pretty cool ways to get the grill going!" Anonymous

Anonymous

Jun 9, 2017

"This is a good article, thanks. " Rated this article: Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

Quizzes & Games

Pizza CalculatorPizza CalculatorHow Good Are My Survival Instincts QuizHow Good Are My Survival Instincts QuizTake QuizDeserted Island Simulator: Test Your Survival SkillsDeserted Island Simulator: Test Your Survival SkillsPlayHow Long Would You Survive In A Zombie Apocalypse?How Long Would You Survive In A Zombie Apocalypse?PlayWhat's the Best Meal Kit for Me QuizWhat's the Best Meal Kit for Me QuizTake QuizAm I Smart QuizAm I Smart QuizTake Quiz

You Might Also Like

Create a Strong Burning Charcoal FireHow toCreate a Strong Burning Charcoal FireLight a Charcoal GrillHow to Start a Charcoal Grill Using Lumps or BriquettesLight BriquettesHow toLight BriquettesUse a Charcoal GrillHow to Cook On a Charcoal Barbecue Grill (Step-by-Step)

Trending Articles

Am I Good at Flirting QuizAm I Good at Flirting QuizHow Sexual Am I QuizHow Sexual Am I QuizHow Many Secret Admirers Do I Have QuizHow Many Secret Admirers Do I Have QuizRank My Attractiveness QuizRank My Attractiveness Quiz5 Different Types of Butts: Find Your Shape5 Different Types of Butts: Find Your ShapeWhat Would My Nickname Be QuizWhat Would My Nickname Be Quiz

Watch Articles

Impress a Girl on a First DateHow toImpress a Girl on a First DateWhat Are Tear Burns on TikTok and What Causes Them?What Are Tear Burns on TikTok and What Causes Them?Wear a HoodieHow toWear a HoodieChiffonadeHow toChiffonadeMake a Fabric RoseHow toMake a Fabric RoseConfront a BullyHow toConfront a Bully

Trending Articles

210+ Shower Thoughts: Funny, Deep, Weird & Mind-Blowing210+ Shower Thoughts: Funny, Deep, Weird & Mind-Blowing140+ Wavelength Game Categories & Questions to Extend Your Play140+ Wavelength Game Categories & Questions to Extend Your PlayThe Ultimate Collection of Funny, Cheesy, & Romantic Rizz LinesThe Ultimate Collection of Funny, Cheesy, & Romantic Rizz LinesWhat 16 of the Most Common Hugs MeanWhat 16 of the Most Common Hugs MeanThe Top Emojis Guys Use when They Like or Love YouThe Top Emojis Guys Use when They Like or Love YouWhat Emojis Mean Sex?What Emojis Mean Sex?

Quizzes & Games

How Long Would You Survive in the Hunger Games?How Long Would You Survive in the Hunger Games?PlayWhat Tarot Card Am I QuizWhat Tarot Card Am I QuizTake QuizHow Lucky Am I QuizHow Lucky Am I QuizTake QuizWhen Will I Die QuizWhen Will I Die QuizTake QuizWhat Kind of Minecraft Player Am I QuizWhat Kind of Minecraft Player Am I QuizTake QuizCan You Spot The False Climate Claims QuizCan You Spot The False Climate Claims QuizTake Quiz wikiHow
  • Categories
  • Home and Garden
  • Heating and Cooling
  • Fireplaces
  • Fire Making
wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.
  • Home
  • About wikiHow
  • Experts
  • Jobs
  • Contact Us
  • Site Map
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Info
  • Not Selling Info
  • Contribute

Follow Us

×

Don’t miss out! Sign up for

wikiHow’s newsletter

Subscribe You're all set! X --639

Tag » How To Start Charcoal Without Lighter Fluid