Whether preparing your favourite chops, burgers, or steaks, charcoal is one of the best ways to add a smoky taste and smell to your delicacy that any other grill wouldn’t. From a distance, using a charcoal grill may appear like a strenuous task, but it’s not. Using a charcoal grill is easy, regardless of what you wish to grill.

Learn how to use a charcoal grill by understanding its essential parts and their functions, including:

  • Lid: The charcoal grill lid controls the pressure while your food cooks.
  • Cooking chamber: This is where the grate settles to position the steaks just above the burning flames.
  • Vents: Vents could be situated on the sides, bottom, or top to allow you to adjust the airflow and internal temperature across the grill.
  • Firebox: This area holds the charcoal and flame, usually in the grill’s base.

Nothing can stop you from grilling steaks or burgers as you’ve always loved from your favourite joint. Remember to learn several charcoal grill safety tips and stay protected.

1. Lighting a charcoal grill

Now that you’ve understood the main parts of a charcoal grill, it would be easier to maneuver through the rest of the guidance. The first step of using a charcoal grill is lighting, which includes finding your preferred charcoal on the equipment.

Two main charcoals that can be used for such grills include lump/hardwood charcoal, usually made from pure wood and tends to affect the flavour of the grilled food. The other type is briquettes made out of compressed sawdust alongside other wood essentials. You can also combine both types when you don’t want to stick to a single type and when one is highly-priced.

2. Arranging and Lighting the Charcoal

After choosing your desired charcoal type, you can arrange it carefully in the firebox. The charcoals are mainly arranged depending on their size. A standard charcoal grill can consume up to five large pieces of charcoal. Leave enough breathing space between the charcoal for maximum airflow before lighting as you arrange.

You can choose different charcoal starters to light your gas grill. The most common ones include strike able fire starters, electric charcoal starters, chimney starters, and lighter fluid. Most people prefer lighter fluid due to its availability and favourable cost.

If you also go for this method, you can begin by sprinkling lighter fluid above your arranged charcoal and allow it to absorb for 10 to 15 minutes before striking a matchbox into the firebox. If your charcoal attains a glowing red colour with a touch of white, your grill is ready for some steaks.

3. Grilling on a Charcoal Grill

It’s finally that time that everyone has been yearning for-grilling time! Grilling on a charcoal grill is probably one of the most manageable and enjoyable tasks you’ll encounter. Assuming you’ve seasoned the grates and given them a sprinkle of oil, you can now slice and lay your food (let’s assume its steak) above the grates to start cooking.

Seasoning prevents the food from burning and will also help to inhibit rusting of the grates. High-smoke point oils like vegetables or canola are preferred for seasoning and grilling steaks on a charcoal grill. After you’ve arranged a few steaks on the grates, allow one side to cook until you’ve attained your desired colour before turning.

Limit yourself from lots of pressing to avoid losing some meat or spices to the charcoal. Additionally, you should check and adjust the vents accordingly as you cook to avoid cases of over or under-cooking.

It’s also important to have the steaks constantly grilling under your watch and not leave them alone because they can easily burn or overcook. You can try plenty of foods on your charcoal grill away from the usual steaks and burgers, such as DIY desserts and fruits.

4. Cleaning and Storing the Charcoal Grill

After enjoying a yummy meal, you shouldn’t leave your charcoal grill just like that, but clean it for future use and extend its lifespan. Charcoal grills are easy to clean. You just need to brush off any dirt particles from the grate and its surroundings before scrubbing it with a soft scrubber. Be careful while cleaning because some grates have hidden slots that could cause injuries if mishandled.

Remove the ashes from the firebox and re-assemble the grill before oiling it to prevent rusting while in storage. Charcoal grills should be stored in a dry and well-ventilated space, such as a covered garage, to protect them from dust and moisture. Even so, check on your charcoal grill occasionally before its subsequent use.