How To Build the Perfect Barbeque Fire

Crush two sheets of newspaper into balls and stuff into the bottom cage of the chimney canister.

Fill the chimney canister with lump charcoal.

Remove the top grate of your barbeque and rest the chimney canister on the bottom grate. Strike a match and ignite the newspaper through the holes in the bottom of the canister. Note that you don’t need lighter fluid—just regular newspaper and charcoal will do the trick.

Leave the chimney canister on the bottom grate for about 20 minutes. The charcoal will smolder, flame, and then begin to glow red.

Once all the charcoal in the chimney is glowing red, turn the canister over and dump the hot coals into the bottom grate of the barbeque.

Use fire tongs to spread the coals, creating one higher, hotter side with more coals and a medium-hot side with fewer coals.

Replace the top grate so the cooking grill begins to heat.

If you are cooking a lot of food, or your recipe calls for a long hot cooking time, light another canister of charcoal—so those coals will be ready when the grill starts to cool down—and place it on a sheet pan. Now get to grilling!