Barbecue cooking is a precise art that requires the right method. Before even addressing the question of cooking, you need to know which barbecue fuel you plan to use. Indeed, there are several options available, each with its own distinct advantages.
Summary :
- How to light a barbecue?
- What fuel for a barbecue?
- Tips for lighting the barbecue
How to light a barbecue?
Before discussing the barbecue fuel that we are going to use, we must understand how barbecue cooking works in order to know how to light a barbecue . For food to cook in a barbecue, it needs fire and especially embers. This involves a certain preparation that will allow the creation of embers that are hot enough and numerous enough for the food to cook on contact. There are therefore several preparation steps that must be taken into account, whether it is a charcoal barbecue or a wood barbecue.
In any case, you'll need a barbecue fuel to light the charcoal or wood initially. The idea is to find something that can ignite easily, but also maintains the flame long enough for the charcoal or wood to catch fire as well.
What fuel for a barbecue?
When looking for barbecue fuel, it's easy to see that there are a multitude of options available.
Charcoal
Charcoal is the basic fuel you'll need for your barbecue. It's what will turn into embers thanks to the heat generated by the initial flame. For a charcoal barbecue, you'll need a sufficient amount of charcoal. To determine how much charcoal you'll need, refer to the capacity of your barbecue and the manufacturer's recommendations.
We will pay attention to choosing good quality charcoal that we will store in a dry place. Then, all that remains is to apply the right methods to know how to make a charcoal barbecue catch .
Coconut briquettes
Coconut briquettes can be used as an alternative to charcoal. They provide intense heat for 2 to 3 hours and have the advantage of producing little odor, smoke, and ash. This makes them a great alternative to charcoal for your barbecue.
Vine shoots
Vine shoots are also an alternative to charcoal, wood, or coconut briquettes. They produce heat and embers very quickly and have the advantage of imparting a distinctive smoky flavor to food. They are therefore very interesting for those who want to vary their flavors.
The wood
Wood is as essential a barbecue fuel as charcoal. It allows for beautiful, long-lasting embers. It's a great barbecue fuel for slow cooking, especially in a stone barbecue , for example.
What's more, you can easily consider changing fuel from one barbecue to another in order to vary the pleasures and flavors.
Tips for lighting the barbecue
Beyond just the barbecue fuel, you'll also need something to light the first flame. Therefore, there are several tips for lighting a barbecue that you can consider.
Newspaper
Newspaper is a classic. It can be used to light wood and coal. In sufficient quantities, simply roll it into a ball and light it so that the flame ignites the coal or wood. However, this method is not foolproof. It may therefore be useful to know how to light a barbecue without newspaper .
The firelighter
If you don't have newspaper or prefer to use another method, you can also use a firelighter. A firelighter is a small cube that you place under a flame and which will keep the flame burning. Placed with the wood or coal, it will allow them to light and catch fire.
Also read:
- How long should I light a barbecue?
- How do you know if the barbecue is ready?
Find out here how much meat (per person) you need for a barbecue so you don't waste anything and satisfy all your guests.
Sources:
- https://barbecue.ooreka.fr/fiche/voir/140698/choisir-un-combustible-pour-barbecue
- https://www.gammvert.fr/conseils/conseils-de-jardinage/comment-allume-un-barbecue-au-charbon
- https://www.maison-travaux.fr/maison-travaux/renovation-par-type/energies-renouvelables-renovation-par-type/barbecue-combustible-choisir-117894.html