Aurora Catering's
BBQ Fire Preparations & Tips
When using real charcoal, douse the coals with as little of starter fluid that is required
to light the fire. Allow at least 30 minutes for the coals to catch fire. This will
usually give enough time for all of the coals to catch fire and thus provide the hottest
heat possible. It will also allow the petroleum smell of the starter fluid to burn away.
If you are trying to start more than 20 pounds of charcoal at once, pile the coals in the
highest possible pyramid, douse the coals with about 1/2 cup of starter fluid and light.
Allow the coals to flame for about 5 minutes, but when the flame goes out use a garden
weed blower and blow air at the base of the pile. This is like using a blow torch, the
coals will catch in 1/3 of the time.
If starter fluid is unavailable, try using regular salad oil. Wad a sheet of newspaper and
pile the coals over it, then douse the coals with the salad oil. Light the paper as you
would using normal starter fluid. This technique is a little tougher to get the coals lit
but there are no residual petroleum smells and works when you dont have any starter
fluid.
Use a wire brush to remove the residue from the grilling surface. The previous BBQs
burnt fat is not very tasty and somewhat unsanitary.
Never place meat directly over an open yellow flame. An open flame is an indication of incomplete
combustion, the fire will discolor the meat by leaving a black carbon residue on the meat.
Actually an open flame has a lower temperature than coals that are glowing red.
If you are using a propane or natural gas pit and want some smoked flavor, try this! When you first light the grill add a piece of hardwood on top of the grill. It will start to smoke and light. Move it off from heat, the flames will usually go out, and smolder. NOW you have smoke!! When done remove the wood and douse with water, reserve the wood for the next time.
to Home Cookin' Page or Return to the Table of Contents
Chef Emile L. Stieffel, Aurora Catering, Inc. email address: ChefEmile@CustomCatering.net
Copyright © 1995 Aurora Catering, Inc. All rights reserved.
Revised: November 21, 2016.