It's important to know how to build a bed of slow burning coals and you don't always have to use any type of starter fluid to get the fire going.
A chimney starter is the ideal tool for lighting charcoal.
It consists of a metal cylinder with a grate placed a few inches up from the bottom and a handle mounted on the side and is designed to effectively light the charcoal without using any lighter fluids.
To light charcoal using a chimney starter, turn the container upside down and stuff the bottom section (under the grate) with crumpled newspaper (one or two full sheets).
Be careful not to pack the paper in too tightly; over packed paper won't catch fire easily.
Turn the chimney starter right side up and load the cylinder with the required amount of charcoal.
Place the chimney on a *safe surface, lift slightly and light several corners of the newspaper.
The flame from the burning paper will go up through the stack lighting the charcoal sitting above.
Use this same procedure regardless of the amount of charcoal being used.
Allow the paper to completely burn out (a few minutes) and then check to be sure that the charcoal has caught fire.
If not, add one more sheet of crumpled newspaper to the bottom and relight.
The charcoal is ready when you see flames hitting the coals out of the top of the chimney and white corners and spots on the charcoal.
Depending on the amount of charcoal and wind conditions, the charcoal should have burned down to being grill ready after 15-20 minutes. Dump the coals in the grill and you're ready to go.
If you're interested in buying a chimney starter, look for a good solid stainless steel container that won't rust out on you.
*Not all surfaces are safe for lighting a chimney starter. Charcoal grates and fire-safe bricks are safe, but concrete surfaces are NOT safe. The heat from the fire can cause the aggregate in the concrete to explode, damaging the concrete and possibly causing personal injury.
Also see my post on the "Minion Method" to keep the charcoal going.
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