To cook your food safely on charcoal, you need to know a few basics. One of the most important things to do when grilling on charcoal is to open the grill’s vents. This will allow the charcoal to get the oxygen and heat it needs to burn. You can also adjust the vents to regulate the heat. A wider vent will produce hotter flames while a smaller one will produce a cooler flame. Always remember to open the vents before lighting the grill. Another tip for lighting your charcoal is to use a charcoal chimney. This is the easiest way to get the charcoal going, and you don’t have to use lighter fluid.
When cooking over charcoal, you can add dried wood chunks to add a bit of smoke to your food. These work best at lower temperatures, but you can use fruitwoods, walnuts, mesquite, and other types of wood as well. Different woods will add different flavors to your food, so experiment with what works best for your grill. Wood chips can also be used, but you should always soak them first.
Another tip for cooking with charcoal is to cook your food quickly. This will help ensure the food is cooked through without burning. To do this, place the food on the center grate and spread it evenly across the lower grate.
