Light Charcoal Fast with These Safe and Easy Methods

Ever been all set for a backyard cookout, only to realize your charcoal just isn’t catching fire fast enough? 

Yep, we’ve all been there — standing by the grill, hungry, watching smoke rise but nothing sizzle.

It’s frustrating when the burgers are prepped, the guests are ready, but the grill… still isn’t.

Let’s change that.

This guide shows you the fastest way to light charcoal, safely and easily.

No shortcuts that ruin your food, no dangerous flames, and no nasty lighter fluid smells.

Plus, we’ll share some handy tools that can make your setup even quicker.

Whether it’s a busy weeknight or a backyard bash, getting your coals hot fast makes grilling a whole lot better.

But before we jump in — always be safe.

Keep kids and pets away from the grill area.

Use heat-resistant gloves and tools, and never leave hot coals unattended.

Why Lighting Charcoal Quickly Matters

Lighting your charcoal fast isn’t just about saving a few minutes. 

It makes the whole grilling experience smoother:

• Saves time on busy days when dinner needs to happen, fast.

• Keeps the grill master happy (and keeps the crowd from getting hangry).

• Gives you better heat control for awesome steaks, burgers, and more.

When your charcoal gets going quickly, you can jump straight into grilling without losing momentum — or your appetite.

Read More: 5 Simple Ways to Clean a Charcoal Grill Without a Brush

What You Need to Light Charcoal Fast

Getting your charcoal burning quickly and safely doesn’t take much. 

Here’s what we recommend:

• Charcoal chimney starter (our #1 pick — more on that in a sec)

• Lighter cubes or crumpled newspaper

• Long lighter or long matches

• Heat-resistant gloves

• Optional: Electric charcoal starter

🚫 Skip the lighter fluid. It might seem fast, but it adds a chemical taste to your food and can flare up dangerously.

Related Read: The Best Way to Start Charcoal for a Perfect BBQ Fire

The Fastest Way to Light Charcoal: Step-by-Step

Using a Chimney Starter (Most Recommended)

If you ask us (and most grill lovers), the charcoal chimney starter is hands down the fastest and safest method. 

Here’s how to use it:

• Fill the chimney with your charcoal (lump charcoal lights faster than briquettes).

• Place newspaper or starter cubes underneath the chimney.

• Light the paper or cubes from the bottom.

• Wait 10–15 minutes until the top coals turn white and ashy.

• Pour the hot coals into your grill safely.

💡 Pro Tip: Set the chimney on your grill’s lower grate or a fire-safe surface. Leave space under it for good airflow — fire loves oxygen!

🔥 Want to safely arrange your coals after pouring? Try using Easy Function’s wood grill scraper.

It’s heat-resistant, eco-friendly, and gives you precise control when moving hot charcoal.

Plus, over time, it shapes itself to your grill grates, making cleanup after cooking even easier.

Buy Easy Function Wood Grill Scraper - Amazon USA

Buy Easy Function Wood Grill Scraper - Amazon Canada

Alternative: Electric Charcoal Starter

No flame? No problem. 

An electric charcoal starter works like a charm:

• Plug it in and bury it under a pile of charcoal.

• Wait 8–10 minutes — the coals will catch fast.

• Unplug and remove the starter carefully with gloves.

This method works well on windy or damp days, especially if you’re struggling to keep a paper-lit chimney going.

What NOT to Do When Lighting Charcoal Fast

Even when you’re in a rush, there are a few don’ts that you should always follow:

🚫 Don’t use lighter fluid. It’s flammable, smelly, and can ruin your food’s flavor.

🚫 Don’t cook over unlit coals. Wait until they’re white and glowing to get even heat.

🚫 Don’t overcrowd the grill with cold coals — it chokes airflow and delays cooking.

Pro Tips for Even Faster Starts

Want to shave even more time off your grilling routine? 

Try these expert-level tricks:

• Use lump charcoal. It lights faster, burns hotter, and gives great flavor.

• Keep your charcoal dry. Moist charcoal is a pain to light — store it in a sealed bin or container.

• Pre-stack your chimney. Load it after each use, so it’s ready to go next time.

• Use a heat-resistant tool. Like our Easy Function wood grill scraper, which helps move hot coals safely without burning your hands.

Buy Easy Function Wood Grill Scraper - Amazon USA

Buy Easy Function Wood Grill Scraper - Amazon Canada

If you need to clean your grill between uses, Easy Function’s bristle brush is another great time-saver.

It’s got a heavy-duty design, deep cleans your grates fast, and even includes a built-in scraper.

Plus, it’s designed for safety — unlike traditional bristle brushes that can shed dangerous wires.

Bonus: You can grab Easy Function’s bristle brush with a discount code below.

💥 Grill Brush Promo Codes:

• Buy 2 – 10% off: GOGRILL2

• Buy 3 – 15% off: GOGRILL3

• Buy 4 – 20% off: GOGRILL4

Buy Easy Function Bristle Brush - Amazon Canada

Common Questions About Lighting Charcoal Quickly

Can I use a hair dryer or fan to speed things up? 

You can — a burst of air speeds up ignition. 

But be careful. 

Too much air can send sparks flying.

How long should I wait before cooking?

Wait until your coals are fully ashed over — usually around 15 minutes. 

You’ll get even heat and better flavor.

Is there a difference between lump and briquettes?

Yes! Lump charcoal lights faster and burns hotter, but briquettes offer more consistent heat. 

For speed, lump is your best bet.

Wrap-Up: Get Grilling Faster

If you’re tired of waiting for your charcoal to light, remember this:

• The chimney starter is your go-to tool.

• No lighter fluid — ever.

• Use lump charcoal and keep it dry.

• Grab heat-safe tools like Easy Function’s wood scraper or bristle brush for quicker, safer prep.

A fast start means more time doing what matters — flipping burgers, enjoying the sun, and hearing that perfect sizzle.

And if you’re serious about grilling, having the right tools makes all the difference.

Want to explore more BBQ tools that save time and boost safety? 

Tap the image below to see our favorites — including grill brushes, scrapers, magnets, and more.

Let us know your own charcoal lighting tricks — we love hearing how other grill lovers fire things up fast.