Replenishing the Coals

Once your fire begins to ash over, you have about 1 hour cooking time before it becomes too weak to continue the cooking. For prolonged grilling, you’ll need to replenish the coals. The easiest way to do this is simply to toss fresh charcoal on the fire. The problem with this method is that it takes 10 to 15 minutes for the new charcoal to light and the process generates an acrid smoke, although lump charcoal ignites more quickly and generates less smoke than charcoal briquettes.

The alternative method is to light a fresh batch of charcoal in a chimney starter 15 to 20 minutes before you need it. Light the starter on brick or a concrete slab or on bare ground away from grass or anything flammable. Never light a chimney starter on a wood deck. Add the hot coals to the hot zone of your fire. (If using an electric starter, you’ll have to light the charcoal in a second grill, then transfer the coals to the first grill with a shovel.)