Fire Starters

LIGHTER FLUID is something a lot of grill jockeys frown on, believing it may leave an oily residue on your food. But millions of people swear by it. For safety’s sake, douse charcoal with lighter fluid first, close and remove the can, and then light the charcoal with a match.

LONG-STEM BUTANE LIGHTERS are ideal for lighting your chimney starter or a mound of self-lighting charcoal. A long lighting tube keeps your hands away from the mess of the charcoal.

ELECTRIC STARTERS have a metal loop that heats when you plug it in. To use it, bury it at the bottom of a mound of charcoal in your grill, then plug it in. You’ll probably need a heavy-duty extension cord, as your grill should be well away from the side of your house. After 5 minutes or so the heat of the starter will ignite the coals. When the core of the mountain of coals glows red, you can remove the starter. Place it on a nonflammable surface (on concrete or a cinderblock, for example), and let it cool completely. Never leave a hot electric starter where someone can touch it.