How to Light a Charcoal BBQ: Your Step-by-Step Guide

There’s nothing quite like the smell of barbecue on a sunny day. If you’re planning to fire up the grill but aren’t sure how to light a charcoal BBQ, don’t worry, Woodie’s has you covered.

In this quick and easy guide, we’ll walk you through the best way to light your barbecue charcoal, whether you’re cooking up sizzling steaks or slow-roasting a whole chicken. Let’s get grilling!

What You’ll Need To Get Started

Before we get started, here’s what you’ll need to light your charcoal BBQ safely and effectively:

- Charcoal barbecue

- Briquette bbq coal

- Chimney starter

- BBQ lighter cubes

- BBQ lighter or matches

- Heat-resistant gloves (optional but handy!)

Check out our guide on essential grilling tools or browse our full range of outdoor cooking essentials to make sure you aren’t forgetting anything!

How to Light a Charcoal BBQ in 6 Easy Steps

Whether you’re new to coal BBQs or just need a quick refresher, these steps will help you light your charcoal barbecue like a pro.

Step 1: Place Your Lighter Cubes

Set your BBQ up in a safe outdoor area with plenty of ventilation. Pop 2–3 lighter cubes in the centre of the charcoal grate and light them.

Step 2: Fill the Chimney Starter

Next, fill your chimney starter with bbq coal and place it directly over the lit cubes. The chimney starter helps your charcoal light evenly without needing any lighter fluid.

Let it heat up for about 15–20 minutes, until the top layer of coals turns white or glowing red.

Step 3: Choose Your Cooking Method

You can now choose between direct or indirect cooking, depending on what you're making:

- Indirect Cooking: Tip the hot coals into the BBQ’s side trays. Ideal for larger food like whole chickens, ribs, or roasts that need 25+ minutes.

- Direct Cooking: Spread the coals evenly across the grate. Perfect for sausages, burgers, vegetables, or anything that cooks in under 25 minutes.

Step 4: Add a Drip Tray (Optional)

For indirect cooking, place a drip tray between the coals to catch any juices - great for preventing flare-ups and using those tasty drippings in sauces or gravies.

Step 5: Ventilation is Key

Put the lid on your charcoal BBQ and open all vents fully. This helps airflow and keeps the fire burning evenly. Give it another 10–15 minutes to reach your ideal cooking temperature.

Step 6: You’re Ready to Cook!

Once everything’s nice and hot, it’s time to cook up your favourite barbecue food. Just don’t forget the tongs and your apron!

Need some shelter while you grill? Explore our range of outdoor shade solutions to stay cool in the sun.

Make the Most of Outdoor Living

Barbecuing isn’t just about the food - it’s about spending time outdoors with friends and family. From garden heaters to furniture and more, we’ve got everything you need to turn your garden into a true summer retreat. Explore the full outdoor living collection to complete your setup. If you’re unsure of how to arrange your outdoor set up, check out our guide on how to host a bbq party for some inspiration!

How To Light A Charcoal BBQ - Video Tutorial 

Prefer to watch how it’s done? Check out our quick video guide on how to light a charcoal BBQ.

Things To Remember:

- Always keep a bucket of water or sand nearby — safety first!

- Don’t use petrol or other flammable liquids to light your BBQ.

- Let your coals burn down to a grey/white glow before cooking — it’s the sweet spot for flavour and heat.

Now all that’s left to do is fire it up, enjoy the sunshine, and tuck into some delicious barbecue food. Happy grilling from all of us at Woodie’s!

Get Ready to Fire Up Your Charcoal BBQ With Woodie’s

Now that you know exactly how to light your BBQ, you're all set for a summer filled with sizzling sausages, flame-grilled burgers, and good times in the garden. Whether you're a first-time griller or a seasoned BBQ enthusiast, getting the fire going is the first step toward creating tasty memories outdoors.

Don’t forget, at Woodie’s, we have everything you need to make your barbecue experience a breeze. From BBQ tools and accessories to charcoal, outdoor cooking gear, and stylish garden furniture, we’re here to help you make the most of every sunny day.

Shop Outdoor Living and turn your garden into the ultimate BBQ-ready space!