In case you missed it!: How to Light A Grill is part of Grilling 101 in the Plays Well With Butter Annual Grilling Series, a free content series dedicated to helping you find the confidence to really own your spot behind the grill this summer. Learn more about our 3rd Annual Grilling series or sign up below to get our best grilling tips straight to your inbox!
Years back, when I asked the PWWB Instagram community what kind of help you needed with when it comes to grilling, the most popular answer by far(!!!) was, “Um…I don’t even know how to light a grill!” Seriously, I’ve so been there, too!
If I’m being honest, the main reason it took me so long to get behind the grill is that I was afraid of lighting it. The thoughts that would run through my head literally went something like this:
- Am I going to burn my face off?!
- What if I break it?!
- What if it blows up?!
- Will our insurance cover a grill fire?!
- OMG…
I totally let the fear & overwhelm get the best of me. I used to wait to make dinner until Chris got home, just so he could light the grill! (& while relying on your husband/spouse/partner/whoever to grill during the summer may seem like a great idea, it’s a totally different story when it’s 8:30 pm & you get a text message that they’re just leaving the golf course to come home. #HANGRY!!)
But once I learned how easy it is to light the grill – gas AND charcoal – I couldn’t believe I was ever so nervous about it. I’m excited to help you overcome the fear too! 🙌🏼
First things first: What kind of grill do you have?
How to light your grill depends on what type of grill you have: gas (propane) or charcoal. Lighting either type of grill is a pretty straightforward process once you get the hang of it, but the steps you’ll take for each are very different.
Read on to learn how to start a propane grill & how to light a charcoal grill (click to jump to a specific section!).
Not quite sure what type of grill to get? Check the PWWB Grill Guide, which walks through all of our favorite gas & charcoal grills!
How to Start a Propane Grill:
I LOVE grilling on a gas (propane) grill. They heat up quickly, which is great for weeknight grilling.
A major bonus? – It’s really easy to learn how to start a propane grill. You simply need to allow the propane (gas) to flow to the burners & light it up. Once it’s hot, & you’re ready to grill!
Here’s exactly what you need to do…
How to Start a Propane (Gas) Grill With and Without a Lighter
Description
To start a gas grill, you simply need to allow the propane (gas) to flow to the burners & light it up. Once it’s hot, & you’re ready to grill!
Ingredients
Propane for the grill
Instructions
Before You Get Started:
- Be sure to reference your grill’s user manual when you light it for the first time. The below steps serve as a great general guide, though your grill model & manufacturer may have other steps or precautions to keep in mind as you start your gas grill.
- Make sure the propane tank is securely hooked up to your grill’s gas line. The hose is usually a simple screw-on valve.
- Locate the electric starter, usually found on the front of the grill. Open the lid of the grill. If you push the electric starter, it should make a hollow “pung” noise or sound like the gas burners on your range clicking on. (Note: if your grill’s starter button is broken, it’s no problem at all. Simply use a long-handled lighter to start your grill instead – easy!)
How to Start a Propane Grill:
- Open the propane tank: Ensuring all of the burner knobs of the front of the grill are closed (or turned “off”), open the valve on the propane tank by turning it all the way counter-clockwise (remember – lefty-loosey!).
- Open a burner valve: Turn either the leftmost or rightmost burner knob on the front of the grill to high. Your grill may have a “light” or “ignite” setting – that works too. You may hear gas begin to flow out of the burner – that’s totally fine! (Note – if you are using a long-handled lighter instead of the grill’s electric start, you will want to turn on the burner nearest to the side of the grill with a small hole in the side of the bucket.)
- Press the electric start: A few seconds after you open up a burner, press the igniter/electric start button. The burner should flare on with a “whoosh” sound. If it doesn’t let the gas run for a few more seconds & try again. If you continue to have trouble starting your grill, DO NOT let the gas continue to run if you continue to have trouble lighting. Simply turn the burner off, close the propane tank, & try again. If you are using a lighter instead of your electric start: insert the flame end through the hole in the side of the grill, placing it next to the burner you turned on. You just lit your grill, congrats!!!
- Light the remaining burners: with one burner successfully lit, light the remaining burners, repeating steps 2-3 on the remaining burners. You can light the remaining burners all at once.
- Let the grill run on high for 10-15 minutes, charring up any residual food from the grates for easy removal. (Learn how to clean your grill in this post.) Once your grill is clean, dial the temperature back to your desired cooking temperature & grill your heart out!
- How to shut off a gas grill: Shutting down a gas grill is as easy as turning the burner knobs off, then closing the valve on the propane tank by turning it clockwise until it is tight (remember – righty-tighty!).
How to Light a Charcoal Grill
There are a couple of different methods for lighting a charcoal grill. We’ve provided instructions for how to light a charcoal grill with and without a chimney below. My preferred method is using a charcoal chimney because it makes lighting the charcoal much easier. (Find our other must-have grilling equipment in this post!)
Here’s exactly what you need to do…
Print
How to Light a Charcoal Grill
Description
There are a couple of different methods for lighting a charcoal grill. We’ve provided instructions for how to light a charcoal grill with and without a chimney below.
Ingredients
Charcoal for the grill
Instructions
Method #1: How to Light a Charcoal Grill with a Charcoal Chimney
- Set up your grill: Remove the top grate of your grill. Open the bottom air vent on the grill all the way, which helps generate airflow to the charcoal briquettes.
- Fill the charcoal chimney: Place the charcoal chimney on top of the charcoal grate (the second grate, still in the grill). Add your charcoal briquettes of choice to the charcoal chimney, filling the chimney just below the top. When it comes to charcoal briquettes, I’m partial to Kingsford Matchlight since it catches quickly without using any lighter fluid.
- Light the charcoal: Place crumpled up paper or lighter cubes under the charcoal chimney. Using a long-handled lighter, light the paper or lighter cubes, which become the heat source that lights the charcoal briquettes. Let the charcoal burn in the chimney until it is gray & ashy, about 10-20 minutes depending on your charcoal. You just lit your grill, congrats!!! 🙌🏼
- Arrange the charcoal: Once the charcoal is hot (it will look gray & ashy), carefully pour the charcoal out of the chimney onto the grate. Use grill tongs to arrange the charcoal on the grate as desired. (Note: depending on your chimney, the handles may be very hot. Be sure to use heat-resistant gloves if you need to!)
- Heat the grill grate: Place the top grill grate back on the grill, & put the lid of your grill on to heat to your desired grilling temperature. Once hot, grill as desired, carefully using the bottom damper on the grill to adjust airflow as needed (more air = hotter grill, less air = colder grill).
- How to shut a charcoal grill off: When you’re done with your charcoal grill carefully close the top & bottom dampers (they may be hot!) & let the charcoal burn itself out.
Method #2: How to Light a Charcoal Grill without a Charcoal Chimney
- Set up your grill: Remove the top grate of your grill. Open the bottom air vent on the grill all the way – this will help generate airflow to the charcoal briquettes.
- Add the charcoal: Arrange the charcoal briquettes into a pyramid on the charcoal grate, using enough briquettes so that when spread out they make a consistent, even layer. If the weather is cold or damp, you’ll need to use more charcoal than if it’s dry & warm.
- Prepare the charcoal: Nestle lighter cubes into the bottom of your charcoal pyramid. If you do not have lighter cubes, soak the charcoal with lighter fluid for 3-5 minutes. Note: lighter fluid is highly flammable. If you get any on yourself or your clothing, be sure to wash it off or change clothing before lighting the grill – we don’t want to BBQ you, too!
- Light the charcoal: If you’re using lighter fluid, add a little more fluid to moisten the outside of the charcoal briquettes just before lighting. Use a long-handled lighter to carefully light a few sides at the base of the pyramid, or ignite the lighter cubes. Allow charcoal to burn until it is gray and ashy (10-20 minutes). You just lit your grill, congrats!!! 🙌🏼
- Arrange the charcoal: Once the charcoal is hot (it will look gray & ashy), carefully use a pair of grill tongs to arrange the charcoal as desired.
- Heat the grill grate: Place the top grill grate back on the grill, & put the lid of your grill on to heat to your desired grilling temperature. Once hot, grill as desired, carefully using the bottom damper on the grill to adjust airflow as needed (more air = hotter grill, less air = colder grill).
- How to shut a charcoal grill off: When you’re done with your charcoal grill carefully close the top & bottom dampers (they may be hot!) & let the charcoal burn itself out.
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This is a great guide! I noticed something missing in your gas grill lighting steps – step one should be to open the lid of the grill. The lid should be open prior to opening the propane tank valve because newer regulators have a safety sensor that will send the grill into “bypass mode” if propane is allowed to build up in the closed cooking chamber. Triggering bypass mode means it will let very little gas out and, if the grill lights at all, the flame will be small and the grill will hardly heat up. All gas grills since the early/mid 2000’s use this style of regulator now. I felt like I read in one of your other grilling posts that you had considered getting a new grill since your Genesis wasn’t heating well. Part of it may have been the debris in the burner holes but a lot of times it’s because the regulator is limiting gas flow. Annoying but potentially useful I guess :). I operate a retail bbq supply store and the number of angry customers we have encountered over the years because of this regulator safety design is astounding! It’s possible to get a good light without first opening the lid if steps are done quick enough but you’ll ensure a good light every time by starting with the lid open. I love your site – so much excellent content! Thanks for encouraging women to get out there and grill :).
Hi Jessica! Good tip – definitely a smart idea to read up a bit on your type of grill!