When it is time to start grilling, you are going to want to make sure the grill is ready to go.
This includes ensuring it is warm enough for the grill to work as required. A lot of people don’t look into this and that starts to impact how the grill performs.
It’s essential to pinpoint these details and make sure the charcoal lasts for a long time.
A good question to ask is, should charcoal be on fire when grilling?
Charcoal does not need to be on fire when grilling. It’s best to wait 15 minutes once the charcoal is lit, ventilate the fixture, and make sure the charcoal turns grey and ashy. This is a sign it’s hot enough to begin grilling.
It’s a common mistake for people to be hasty when it comes to using charcoal and this is what does the most damage.
You will want to be careful about how you approach this and ensure things are done the right way.
This article is going to show you how to prepare charcoal when grilling to ensure it is ready to go and you can begin grilling appropriately.
Tips To Prepare Charcoal When Grilling
1. Stack Them Vertically
You will want to make sure you stack the charcoal vertically.
This is one of the biggest mistakes people make.
If you are not taking the time to position the charcoal appropriately, it is not going to heat the right way. This is going to create a situation where the grill is not hot enough and it is never going to prepare food the way you want it to.
Look into this by focusing on the positioning of the coals.
The more you look into this, the more you are going to begin to notice what works and what does not. This includes whether they are stacked to the side or vertically.
A vertical stack is always going to be better when it is time to heat the grill.
2. Focus On Ventilation
One of the concerns people deal with has to do with ventilation.
If there is not enough air going to the charcoal, it is not going to stay hot. This is one of the main issues people don’t realize until they begin to open the vents in the grill.
The vents are there for a reason and should be used.
You are going to want to let the oxygen flow in as that is how you are going to get the results you covet.
When you let the charcoal sit and ventilate, it is going to take only 15 minutes for it to get hot enough. This is without needing to see flames in the grill.
As long as the charcoal is ready to go, you will have a grill that is hot enough to work.
3. Charcoal Should Turn Grey
You will also want to take the time to think about whether or not the charcoal’s color is changing appropriately.
This is a mistake that can be made.
Your charcoal is not ready until you take the time to wait for its color to change. This means it is going to turn grey and ashy.
As soon as it does this, it is ready to go.
Continue to pay attention to this as that is what will matter the most. If you are not taking the time to look into this, you are not going to see appropriate results at all.
4. Wait At Least 15 Minutes
How long do you need to wait?
You will have to wait at least 15 minutes.
This is important because it will make it easier for you to get the grill to be as hot as it needs to be. Otherwise, you are not going to see good results and it will not work out in your favor.
You can do this by closing the lid and then letting it ventilate for at least 15 minutes. This is all you are going to have to do to see good results.
Keep this in mind and you are going to see great results as time goes on.
Final Thoughts
Should charcoal be on fire when grilling?
Charcoal does not need to be on fire when grilling. Instead, it should look grey and ashy, which signifies it is hot enough for grilling. To get to this state, make sure to stack the charcoal vertically, close the lid, and then ventilate to add oxygen to the equation. This will take 15 minutes and the results are going to be in line with what you need.
Always focus on this when you are thinking about doing things the right way.
A lot of people don’t do this and that is what holds them back.
Don’t make this type of mistake and ensure you are going with the type of charcoal that will work.
