How to Use Fire Starter Cubes for Charcoal Grill: A Step-by-Step Guide
Lighter fluid ruins food. Newspaper fails too often. Fire starter cubes are better. Here is how to use them.
What Are They?
Fire starter cubes are small blocks of wood fibers and natural wax. Light one with a match. It burns 8-10 minutes. That is plenty of time to light charcoal.
The Fire Starter Square from Bulk fire starters is natural, odorless, and chemical-free.
What You Need
One cube. Charcoal. A chimney starter. A match. Heat gloves.
Method 1: Chimney Starter (Best)
Step 1. Put one cube on your grill grate.
Step 2. Place chimney starter directly over the cube.
Step 3. Fill chimney with charcoal. Leave space for air.
Step 4. Light the corner of the cube.
Step 5. Wait 10 minutes. The cube lights charcoal from bottom.
Step 6. When charcoal turns gray, put on gloves. Pour into grill.
Step 7. Spread charcoal. Start cooking.
Total time: 15 minutes.
Method 2: Direct in Grill (No Chimney)
Step 1. Make a charcoal pyramid in your grill.
Step 2. Push one cube into the bottom of the pyramid.
Step 3. Light the cube corner.
Step 4. Wait 20-25 minutes.
Step 5. Spread hot charcoal.
Step 6. Close lid. Wait 5 minutes. Then grill.
Tips That Work
Use one cube only. Two only for very large grills.
Store cubes in a dry place.
Light the corner, not the middle.
Do not poke the cube. Let it burn.
Mistakes to Avoid
Do not use old cubes that crumble.
Place cube first, then charcoal. Never the reverse.
Never add lighter fluid to a cube. Dangerous.
Leave grill lid open until charcoal is lit.
What If It Rains?
Fire starter cubes work in wet weather. The wax coating repels water. You can still light one in the rain.
But wet charcoal is a problem. Keep your charcoal in a dry bag or container. Dry charcoal lights easily. Wet charcoal fights you.
If your charcoal got wet, spread it on a tarp in the sun for a few hours. Or use more fire starter cubes. Two cubes instead of one. The extra heat dries the charcoal as it lights.
Can You Use Cubes in a Kamado Grill?
Yes. Kamado grills like Big Green Egg or Kamado Joe work well with fire starter cubes.
Place one cube in the center of the fire box. Add charcoal around it but leave the cube visible. Light the cube. Leave the lid open and bottom vent open until the charcoal is lit. Then close the lid and bring your grill to temperature.
Do not use lighter fluid in a Kamado. The ceramic absorbs chemicals. Your food will taste bad for months. Cubes leave no residue.
Why Cubes Beat Other Methods
Lighter fluid leaves chemical taste on food.
Newspaper burns too fast. Charcoal does not catch.
Electric starters need an outlet. Useless at campgrounds.
Cubes just work. No chemicals. No bad taste.
Bulk fire starters cubes are food-safe. Natural wax and wood. No off-flavors on steak.
How Many Grills Per Cube?
One cube lights a standard chimney. That lights one medium grill.
Large smoker? Use two cubes. Put them on opposite sides.
Small portable grill? Half a cube is plenty. Break it.
Safety Rules
Grill outdoors only. Never in a garage.
Keep a fire extinguisher or sand nearby.
Let cube burn completely before adding more fuel.
Use heat gloves on hot chimney. Metal burns skin.
Keep cubes away from children. Look like brownies but are not food.
For reliable fire starter cubes, check out the Fire Starter Square from Bulk fire starters. https://www.bulkfirestarters.com/fire-starter-square-2
For wholesale pricing, visit the homepage. www.bulkfirestarters.com