Charcoal Know-How

From an unidentified magazine article.

For carefree barbecuing, you'll want to brush up on how to build and control a charcoal fire. Here are some hints that will help your outdoor cooking keep pace with your indoor culinary sills.
  • Before you heap charcoal into the firebox, read the directions that come with the barbecue unit. It may need a base of pea gravel, coarse grit, or special insulating pellets.

  • A lining of heavy-duty foil under the gravel base or in the ashpit will aid in protecting the barbecue unit.

  • Use only the amount of charcoal needed for the cooking job at hand--a small quantity of coals if you're barbecuing just a few chops; more charcoal for large steaks.

  • Pile charcoal in a pyramid in firebox. Sprinkle liquid lighter or jelly fire starter over charcoal. Wait a minute, then light. Don't use gasoline or kerosene.
  • Allow about 45 minutes before cooking on lighted coals. For faster starting, use an electric fire starter--it does the job in 15 minutes. Some barbecue units now come equipped with a built-in starter.

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