The easiest way to light your BBQ? Use firelighters (tennbriketter dugnad)
If you have just bought a new barbecue or have never been able to perfect your outdoor kitchen, this is what you need to know on how to light your BBQ. By following these simple steps, lighting your BBQ will be easier than ever before!
1. Turn on your BBQ
Firelighters are the preferred option to light a barbecue, as they are easy to handle and will quickly launch your barbecue. Simply add 3 evenly spaced lighters to your coal pyramid and light them carefully.
2. Coal
The use of good quality coal will help to light and maintain your grill all the time. If you are using the leftover coal from last year, or what is left in the garage or grocery store, you are probably missing out on a good BBQ flavor.
3. Stack your coal and use firelighters
How do I light my BBQ, you might ask. The easiest thing to do is to use firelighters. My two personal favorites are from Norgesbriketten or Fire Up, both high quality brands of firestarters. Also, remember that putting coal in your barbecue will make a big difference. In the past, fires were shaped like a pyramid, which meant they burned well and provided a lot of heat. By stacking your pyramid-shaped coal, you can make an effective fire so that your coal heats up quickly and the food cooks evenly.
4. Wait for the flames to go out
You will have to wait a while for the flames to go out. It may take more than 30 minutes, depending on the size of your barbecue and the amount of coal you are using. In addition, lighters can emit smoke and will let you know if you start cooking before the flames go out. If you invite people or work on a time scale, you should turn on your barbecue half an hour in advance.
While you wait for the flames to go out, you may want to spread the charcoal a little for easier cooking. If you need to add more charcoal, add it outside to heat it. This is well known as tennbriketter dugnad.
While you wait for the flames to go out, you may want to spread the charcoal a little for easier cooking. If you need to add more charcoal, add it outside to heat it. This is well known as tennbriketter dugnad.
When can you start cooking?
You can start cooking on your barbecue when the charcoal is grayish-white and the flames go out. Depending on how you cook, you may have to move a pan or place the food directly on the coals, so be careful.
No matter what you are cooking, you will want to cook it long enough. Cooking meat on a grill should be done properly to avoid the risk of raw meat that can cause food poisoning and the risk of spreading raw and cooked meat germs. Don't forget to thaw the meat before cooking it on your barbecue. The meat is cooked when it is very hot, there is no visible pink meat and clear juices.
No matter what you are cooking, you will want to cook it long enough. Cooking meat on a grill should be done properly to avoid the risk of raw meat that can cause food poisoning and the risk of spreading raw and cooked meat germs. Don't forget to thaw the meat before cooking it on your barbecue. The meat is cooked when it is very hot, there is no visible pink meat and clear juices.
Remember to have all your BBQ equipment ready...
It is a good idea to make sure you have the right tools and accessories for outdoor cooking and how and when to use them. You don't want to find out that you have to move pieces of chicken or sausages with your hands because you don't have tongs or you can't make hamburgers because you lost the spatula.
While you will be interested in showing off your outdoor cooking skills, it is important to be patient and not rush things. If you start cooking before the embers are quite hot, or you don't cook the food for a long time, you may get sick with your friends or family, and you obviously don't want to.
Benefits of using firelighters (tennbriketter dugnad)
While you will be interested in showing off your outdoor cooking skills, it is important to be patient and not rush things. If you start cooking before the embers are quite hot, or you don't cook the food for a long time, you may get sick with your friends or family, and you obviously don't want to.
Benefits of using firelighters (tennbriketter dugnad)
- The fire starts naturally
- Without kerosene
- Burns for more than 14 minutes
- Light up easily for anyone
Fun fact
Perhaps you are wondering why this blog is called Tennbriketter Dugnad. Well, it is actually the name of a fundraising activity in Norway and I really like the concept. Schools, sporting teams and other voluntary organizations sell firelighters (https://norgesbriketten.no/tennbriketter-dugnad/) in order to make money for their trips and fundraising needs. This activity has increased in popularity during the last couple of years. I really wish this will become a thing here in Minnesota as well. My cousin participates actively in soccer & basketball, but there are not any good fundraising options around. Fingers crossed!