How To Use A Charcoal Grill

Ready to take your grilling skills to the next level? Learn how to use a charcoal grill like a pro and create juicy and flavorful dishes that will have everyone asking for seconds. Our step-by-step guide will help you master the art of charcoal grilling and unleash your inner grill master. Skip ahead to the step you need.

1. Different Types of Charcoal

2. Lighting Charcoal

3. Girl Carnivore Pro Tip!

Choose the Charcoal

There are two primary types of charcoal you will find at your local market or grilling store: briquets and lump.

Lighting Charcoal

The pitmaster preferred method for lighting charcoal is to use a charcoal chimney. This is a cylindrical metal tube with a handle. It has a shelf near the bottom to allow airflow under the coals.

Direct vs. Indirect Heat

When setting up a charcoal grill, using the two-zone grilling method is a pitmaster’s secret to success.

BEST RECIPES FOR A CHARCOAL GRILL

GRILLED LAMB CHOPS WITH LAVENDER SALT

This easy dinner recipe is loaded with flavors. The addition of fresh herbs makes this lamb chop recipe one for the books. If you love the flavor of lamb, you will enjoy this delicious recipe.

GRILLED PORTERHOUSE STEAK

Looking for a perfect steak for grilling? Want to master the coals and impress your guests with an expertly charred piece of meat at your next gathering? Look no further than a Grilled Porterhouse Steak. It’s exactly what you want to pick up from your local butcher if you want flavor and a real rustic presentation.

GRILLED CHICKEN LEG QUARTERS

Grilled chicken leg quarters may be one of the simplest, down-home meals you can make. An easy marinade and simple rub goes a long way for ensuring juicy, tender dark meat with that flame-kissed flavor you can only get from a grill.

CAN I USE WOOD CHIPS OR CHUNKS WITH A CHARCOAL GRILL?

Yes! Add your smoking wood to the grill and allow the smoke to burn clean before adding your food. This adds an additional smokey layer to your food.

WHEN SHOULD I ADD MORE CHARCOAL AND HOW OFTEN WHEN GRILLING?

For most fast cooks, under an hour, you will not need to add more charcoal to your grill. This can depend on the heat of the grill, how well your grill holds heat, and the quality of your charcoal. For longer cooks, you may need to add add fresh coals to keep an even heat, especially on longer smoker recipes.

HOW MUCH CHARCOAL SHOULD I USE?

How much charcoal to use is an open ended question that comes down to the quality of the charocal, what you’re cooking and the grill size. But, a general guideline is 30-50 briquets, or one charcoal chimney full.

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