How to Light Charcoal Without Lighter Fluid: 5 Practical Methods

Last Updated:
December 9, 2023

Lighter fluid is an accelerant used to light charcoal. It is either petroleum or alcohol based and is even sometimes used as an additive in briquettes.

While it can make starting a charcoal grill faster, it’s a controversial topic. The general consensus in the BBQ community is to avoid it because it can result in a taste/odor taint.

In my opinion, it’s definitely worth not using when grilling but with longer smokes like brisket or pork butt, it’s not very noticeable.

How to Light Charcoal Without Lighter Fluid

There are five main ways to light a charcoal grill without using lighter fluid, they are:

  1. A charcoal chimney
  2. Using a heat gun/torch
  3. Using an electric charcoal starter
  4. Using paraffin wax
  5. Using kindling and paper

1. Using a Charcoal Chimney

charcoal chimney starter

A charcoal chimney is one of the most popular methods for lighting charcoal. If you aren’t familiar with a chimney starter, it’s essentially a metal ventilated tube that’s used to light lump charcoal or briquettes.

Paper or firelighter is placed below the chimney which ignites the charcoal from the bottom. The heat then rises through the chimney, which causes negative pressure which pulls cold air through the bottom and side vents – this process is known as the chimney effect.

how a charcoal chimney works
Chimney Effect in a Charcoal Chimney

Step 1 – Start by creating 3-5 paper “rings” of newspaper. First roll the paper and then create a circular ring. Place the rings at the bottom of the chimney. Avoid packing it too tight as it can restrict air-flow.

Note: If you have a firelighter like a tumbleweed, paraffin wax, compressed cardboard, use that instead. They’re engineered to light charcoal fires and are essentially foolproof. I’ve used old charcoal bags, used butcher paper, newspaper, magazines, junk mail etc.

Step 2 – Fill up the chimney with charcoal, but don’t over-fill. The amount of charcoal you use is based on how long you need to cook/smoke for. For instance, high heat grilling requires a lot of lit charcoal, where-as longer low and slow smokes require less lit charcoal.

Step 3 – As the charcoal lights, it will start to smoke. The smoke will eventually taper off; This happens due to moisture.

Step 4 – Once the coals are grey/ashed on top and the charcoal is visibility “hot” you can pour your coals into the grill and arrange them accordingly.

Note: If you’re goal is to smoke, there are a number of ways to orient your charcoal. If you’re simply grilling, you’re safe to simply dump the charcoal into the grill.

If you’re more of a visual learner, here’s a video I recorded going over this process:

How to Use a Charcoal Chimney

Pros

  • Long lasting and inexpensive
  • Chemical-free and doesn’t require electricity
  • Consistent

Cons

  • While they are super consistent, you may have times where the charcoal won’t ignite. Simply add more paper rings/firelighter and restart the process.

2. Using a Heat Gun or Torch

While heat guns aren’t specifically engineered for lighting charcoal, they are relatively inexpensive and accomplish the goal quite well. Most heat guns are rated somewhere between 1500 – 1800W. Depending on the model, the aforementioned wattage range translates to roughly 750 -1000+ degrees F.

heat gun

However, there are “heat guns” engineered for barbecue, like the Looftlighter. It’s essentially a combination heater/blower that works by forcing super-heated air (1250 degrees F) at the charcoal.

While the Looftlighter is made for barbecue, it’s also costs 2-3x more than a heat gun. Granted, the longer handle definitely makes it safer to use.

Both require close proximity to an electrical outlet.

Step 1 – Start by plugging the heat gun or Looftlighter in.

Step 2 – Direct the tip of the heat gun or Looftlighter at the base of the charcoal.

Step 3 – As the charcoal starts to glow, pull the heater away from the charcoal about an inch. Hold the heater in this position for 60 seconds and work your way around the charcoal.

Step 4 – After lighting enough base/surrounding coals, the charcoal will self-ignite and you can turn the heater off.

Note: This concept of self-igniting coal is essentially the basis for the minion method.

Pros

  • Uses no chemicals
  • Essentially fail-proof
  • Fastest way to light charcoal

Cons

  • Requires electricity

3. Using an Electric Charcoal Starter

An electric charcoal starter is a device that features a long, looped metal coil and a heat-resistant body. The tool resembles an electric stove’s heating element but in a “U” shape.

While it’s not as fancy as a heat gun or Looftlighter, it’s an effective tool to get a charcoal fire started.

Step 1 – Mound your charcoal on top of the coil at the base of the grill.

Step 2 – Plug in the electric starter.

Step 3 – Once the coals are glowing, you can remove the coil. It will take roughly 20 minutes for the coals to ash over.

An electric charcoal starter is another sure-fire way to ignite charcoal. However that fire is also limited to how big the heating element is.

Pros

  • Fail-proof
  • Chemical free
  • Inexpensive

Cons

  • Requires electricity

4. Paraffin Wax

Paraffin wax is used in a variety of firelighter applications. It can come as a paraffin wax cube or as coating in compressed cardboard/materials.

paraffin wax charcoal starter

Paraffin wax can work great when paired with a charcoal chimney. It also won’t leave behind ash like paper does. Paraffin wax is non-toxic and odorless; It’s fast lighting, smokeless, and environmentally friendly.

Step 1 – If you own a charcoal chimney, you can place the paraffin wax at the bottom of the chimney. If you don’t own one, you can place it under the charcoal.

Step 2 – Light the firelighter/cube.

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Lights even when wet
  • Odorless/non-toxic

Cons

  • Ensure that they’re only paraffin wax; The goal is to eliminate odor/taste taint.
  • Not reusable.

5. Using Kindling/Paper

kindling paper charcoal

If all else fails, most people have access to newspaper, dry twigs or kindling, and charcoal. However, this method isn’t always consistent.

Step 1 – Start by crumpling up 4-5 pages of newspaper and build a small pile in the middle of the grill.

Step 2 – Next, add kindling to the newspaper. The kindling needs to be small, dry pieces of wood; Something like twigs works great.

Step 3 – Place your charcoal over the starter and light the newspaper along the perimeter.

Step 4 – As the charcoal starts to light and ash over, move the unlit pieces around so they can light too.

Pros:

  • No added chemicals

Cons:

  • Painstakingly slow
  • You need dry wood for kindling
  • Hard to do in wet weather
dylan bio profile picture
Dylan Clay
Dylan Clay is a pitmaster based in New Hampshire, with over 17 years of experience in grilling, smoking, and dehydrating meat. Throughout this time, he has worked with nearly every cut of meat. In 2019, he launched the Barbecue FAQ website to share his extensive knowledge about all things meat, aiming to assist others in making better barbecue at home.

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