How to Light Wood on a Fire for Grilling
It's summertime, the great grilling season. Not everyone uses charcoal or propane for grilling, so knowing how to light a wood fire for grilling with wood is essential. With just a few household items, kindling and dry firewood, you will soon have the perfect bed of coals for grilling your mouthwatering favorites.
- Tie three full sheets of newspaper into knots. Simply roll the newspaper lengthwise, twist and tie each sheet into a knot. Keep the knot relatively tight. This permits the paper to burn slower and longer. Place the newspaper knots into the fire chamber of your grill.
- Place small pieces of dry kindling on top of the newspaper knots. These pieces are no larger than a half-inch thick and about six inches long. Be sure your kindling is dry; green wood does not burn well at all and will cause immense frustration.
- Light the newspaper knots with a matchstick or carefully with a lighter. Be sure that your fire has access to plenty of air to get started. Fan it, if necessary, to get it started. Wait until the kindling is burning, which is indicated by spots of wood that are glowing red.
- Add a few small pieces of firewood. These pieces are up to two inches thick, with thinner pieces placed in first, and as long as the fire chamber of your grill holds. Again, the wood must be perfectly dry to burn correctly. Work on developing a thick, hot bed of coals by adding more wood. Allow it to burn down to coals rather than be all flames. Oak throws great heat, but any firewood will do. Avoid any kind of pinewood; it is known for giving off excess creosote.
- Put in semi-green oak or fruitwood if you want to smoke the food. Wait until the food is partially cooked before adding it.