How to Set Up a Charcoal Grill

Understand the difference between briquettes and hardwood lump charcoal. Briquettes are compressed charcoal, denser and burn more predictably. Hardwood lump charcoal is carbonized wood, burns hotter, and can impart more searing flavor.

Place 1-2 sheets of crumpled paper towel at the bottom of a chimney starter, then fill the chimney starter with briquettes charcoal.

Light the paper towel at the bottom of the chimney starter to ignite the charcoal.

Allow the charcoal in the chimney starter to light up completely, which typically takes 20-30 minutes. The coals should be mostly white/ashy.

Once the charcoal is lit, carefully pour it into the grill, arranging it to create a two-level fire. This means having most of the coals on one side for direct, high heat, and fewer or no coals on the other side for indirect, lower heat.

Place the grill grate back onto the grill. Cover the grill with its lid and allow it to preheat for a few minutes to loosen any burnt-on residue.

Once preheated, use a grill brush or crumpled aluminum foil held with tongs to clean the grill grate thoroughly.

Using a paper towel dipped in cooking oil, rub the grill grates to season them. Apply a couple of coats, waiting 5-10 seconds between applications for the oil to polymerize.