If you can only hold your hand above the coals for 3 seconds, the heat level is “medium-hot” (about 400°). Steaks, burgers, and dense vegetables like corn on the cob and onions can handle high heat. To use a charcoal grill, lay an even layer of charcoal under your grill for fast cooking foods, like hot dogs or vegetables. Before adding wood chips, the first thing to do is to light the coals. We were kind of scared we would start a, "Wasn't sure the right way to do this. I’d rather not, but if you want to use it, please use caution and apply just a dash. The wikiHow Video Team also followed the article's instructions and verified that they work. I think that’s how most charcoal grillers start out, but not only is lighter fluid pretty dangerous stuff; it can also leave a nasty flavor on food. Indirect heat is used to bring the meat to the ideal cooked temperature without burning it. Cleaning out a public grill before you use it is fairly similar to cleaning out a regular kettle charcoal grill, and the first step is cleaning out the grill grates.You’re not restoring them to a sparkling clean, just using a grill brush or a wadded-up piece of foil to scrape off any carbon or food stuck on there. So relax, and learn answers to some common questions. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. Quite often you will have the grill lid open to allow the fire to breathe and keep it going. Use a Grill Mat. And while there are a few methods one can use to start charcoal I am going to keep it real and talk about the only method you SHOULD USE to start your charcoal! Arrange charcoal on just one side of the grill for two zone cooking to grill meats directly over the coals and vegetables on the cooler side for indirect heat. Alternatively, for foods like pork loin or chicken, keep the coals to one side so the meat can cook slowly without burning. Recycle charcoal briquette Put the unburned charcoal briquette that can be used next time back into the grill with metal tongs, or store it in a fireproof container for the second use. If you’re new to grilling, don’t be surprised if it becomes more than just a way to cook food. Direct & Indirect Heat. A: There are several methods. To use a charcoal grill, lay an even layer of charcoal under your grill for fast cooking foods, like hot dogs or vegetables. For burgers and sausages, try around half to three-quarters of a chimney for medium heat. Doing so shuts out oxygen to your lit charcoal and quickly smothers the fire. Plus, because you can’t "turn off" a charcoal grill, it continues burning long after use, releasing more harmful substances into the atmosphere. Some people recommend cleaning your grill with a stiff wire brush before heating it. Arrange briquettes in a pyramid in the kettle. Indirect heat is used to bring the meat to the ideal cooked temperature without burning it. You want to maintain 230-250°F. Therefore, you also have to understand a bit about charcoal to use the grillers properly for making grilling foods for you and your guests. Additionally, make sure to place your food on the grill when it's hot so it doesn't stick. Pour lighter fluid over briquettes. How to Add Wood Chips to Charcoal Grill. With a charcoal grill, however, the fuel is—well–charcoal, so you need to fill the grill with the proper amount of briquettes before you start cooking. For example, charcoal and kamado grills work well because you can just add wood chips or chunks into the charcoal at any point and get a nice smoky flavor. Put the crumpled newspaper at the bottom and place charcoal on top of it. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b5\/Use-a-Charcoal-Grill-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Use-a-Charcoal-Grill-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b5\/Use-a-Charcoal-Grill-Step-1.jpg\/aid9470068-v4-728px-Use-a-Charcoal-Grill-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"410","licensing":"