Grilling up a treat and indulging in some seriously delicious food is the perfect way to soak up the sunshine with friends and family! Whether you’re enjoying a casual family meal, hosting a garden party, or dining al fresco, knowing how to light your BBQ is the first step to the ultimate cookout. With the right technique, you’ll make the most of those warm summer afternoons and be crowned the grill master (truly high praise indeed). Here’s our quick and easy guide to lighting both gas and charcoal so nothing can hold you back from cooking up bangin’ burgers or succulent steaks.
First things first, give your grill a quick clean. Give it the once-over to remove any old ash or leftover food remnants - yuck! Grab your charcoal and create a small mound in the centre of the grill (your very own miniature charcoal mountain). This helps the coals light more evenly for that perfect all-over even cooking. If you have a chimney starter, load it up with charcoal and place it on the grill for a slow, even burn - easy peasy!
With lighter fluid: Spray a generous amount of lighter fluid over the charcoal - make sure to take special care whilst doing this. Let it sit for about a minute to soak in, then light it up with a long match or grill lighter - and voilà, you’ve got big beautiful flames ready to cook up a feast.
Quick note: Don’t add lighter fluid once the coals are already burning!
Without lighter fluid: If you’re feeling a little more adventurous (and/or) want to skip the chemicals, crumple up some newspaper and slide it underneath your coals. If you're using a chimney starter, simply light the newspaper, and watch as the chimney helps the coals burn evenly.
Now, sit back, relax and watch the magic happen. Once your coals are lit, they’ll turn white or grey with ash. And when they have that beautiful red glow and are fully covered with ash, it means they are the perfect temperature - it’s almost grill time!
Once the coals are ready, use tongs or a grill tool to spread them across the bottom of the grill. For different heat zones (high heat for searing and low heat for slower cooking), push the coals to one side for high heat and leave the other side empty for a cooler cooking area for the perfect cook, whatever the grub!
Just like the charcoal grill, start by giving your grill a quick clean so there’s no leftover food debris or grease. Check that your propane or natural gas tank is properly connected and has enough fuel (no one wants to run out mid grilling sesh!) If your grill has multiple burners, make sure the knobs are in the off position before lighting to avoid any nasty surprises.
Before going ahead and lighting, open the lid of your BBQ - this prevents gas from building up inside and ensures proper airflow when you ignite the burners.
Using a propane tank? Make sure to slowly turn the valve on to slowley release the gas. Don’t open it all the way just yet! About a half turn should be enough. If you’re connected to natural gas, just ensure that the main gas valve is open and ready to go.
Most modern BBQs have an electronic ignition system that lights the burners automatically when you turn the knob (super smart and easy). If your grill doesn’t have this luxury, use a match or BBQ lighter to ignite the burners manually, taking extra care whilst doing so - no singed eyebrows here!
Once lit, let the burner flame settle. It needs to be consistent and steady. If using multiple burners, repeat the process for each one by starting with the main burner and then moving on to the others where needed.
Once all the burners are lit, it’s time to adjust your BBQ’s heat! You can turn the knobs to increase or decrease the flame depending on what you’re cooking - whether it’s fluffy burger buns, delicious corn or throwing a shrimp on the barbie.
After lighting your BBQ and setting the desired heat level, close the lid to help maintain an even temperature to get a perfectly even grill.
By following this simple guide, you'll be all set to fire up the grill and enjoy a stress-free (and super yummy) cookout. Whether you're using gas or charcoal, you’ve got the perfect setup for a mouthwatering meal. So, grab your tongs, fire up that BBQ, and let the good times (and even better food) roll. Happy grilling!
