Charcoal grill not getting hot enough
I purchased a cheap kettle charcoal grill a few weeks ago, and I feel like it's not getting hot enough. I'm using a charcoal chimney which takes about 40 minutes to get the coals ashy. I've read it should only takes 15 minutes to light. Once I dump the charcoal into the grill it gets cold fast. When I first put my hand over it the grill is hot, and I can barely keep my hand over it for a few seconds. After closing the lid and letting the grill warm up for 5-10 minutes I can typically keep my hand over the coals much longer. I also never see any smoke coming from my grill after I initially light the chimney. I'm currently using briquettes as lump charcoal was even colder. The bottom and side vents are fully open, so there should be plenty of air flow in my grill.
Best Answer
It really sounds as if you're just getting the tail-end of the fuel left in the charcoal.. that you've let it burn too far in the chimney .. 40 minutes does sound like a long time .. the right time to start cooking on charcoal is when any self-sustained flames have gone down, and the surface appears grey-white in daylight.. if you fan it, there should be a clearly perceptible glow.
If you want to use your chimney, give the charcoal just enough time in there to propagate its own burn.. don't spread it too thin in the grill after transfer, and let it settle to a glow in the grill, not the chimney. That will also help the metalof the grill heat up.
Or, light the charcoal in the grill by fanning it gently, and later, not so gently, with whatever comes to hand, or an electric fan.
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Quick Answer about "Charcoal grill not getting hot enough"
Put the lid on the grill and let it preheat for about 10 to 15 minutes. If you've accidentally let your charcoal ash over a bit too much before beginning to preheat don't be afraid to toss a few more coals onto the lit ones. This will help the coals from burning out too quickly.How do I make my charcoal grill get hotter?
Most charcoal grills have vents on the bottom. Open the vents wide and you get more air and thus a hotter fire. Partially close the vents and you get less air and a cooler fire. Make sure the vents are open when you light your charcoal and set up the grill.Why does my charcoal grill not get hot enough?
If your grill is full of ashes from previous grilling sessions it can impede the proper flow of air inside of the kettle, which makes the coals burn cooler. If enough ash builds up it can make it next to impossible to get the coals to stay lit.Do you leave the lid open or closed when heating charcoal?
SHOULD I OPEN OR CLOSE MY GRILL LID WHEN STARTING CHARCOAL? The lid should be open while you arrange and light your charcoal. Once the coals are well-lit, close the lid. Most charcoal grills are hotter right after lighting.Does putting the lid on a charcoal grill make it hotter?
Remember this basic rule of thumb: If you're cooking on a gas grill, opening the lid will make it cooler. If you're cooking on a charcoal grill, opening the lid will make it hotter.Charcoal Grill / Kettle - Biggest Beginners Mistake #charcoalgrill #beginnersmistake #bbq #doNOTdoit
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