The best and easiest way to light the charcoal briquettes is to use a charcoal starter. This is an aluminum cylinder with a wooden handle on the outside and a metal shelf on the inside that separates the cylinder into sections. The top section is about 2/3 of the length of the cylinder and the bottom is 1/3 of the length of the cylinder. There are round holes that surround the bottom 1/3 of the cylinder, as well as internal holes on the shelf that separate the two sections.
To use the charcoal fireplace, 2 to 3 sheets of newspaper are required. Wading or rolling the sheets together freely in a long cylinder. I don't wrap it too tight so that the air can circulate while it is burning. Curl the donut-shaped sheets with a hole in the center. Mount the paper donut at the bottom of the fireplace. Try to pop some paper holes out of the holes. This simplifies lighting. If you want you can use paraffin cubes purchased in the shop or made of something like a cardboard egg crate where you buy eggs.
Fill the top section of the cylinder with charcoal. I prefer to use briquettes in the fireplace starter. Charcoal burns too quickly. Place the fireplace starter on the floor or on the charcoal grill of the barbecue grill and light the newspaper through the holes in the bottom of the charcoal starter. Coal ignites fairly quickly and should be ready in about 15 minutes. Charcoal is much faster to start but runs out faster, so I don't use it in the fireplace starter. Coal is ready when you see a white ash coating on almost all coals.
When the coals are ready, gently add the coals to the grill and spread them evenly around the grill bed. Remember to safely place the very hot charcoal fireplace away from pets and children so they don't get burned. Also, do not put the hot starter from the fireplace on the grass as it can cause a fire.
A second method for lighting charcoals is with paraffin cubes purchased in a shop or made at home with cardboard egg crates. Place a few paraffin cubes in the center of the grill bed or charcoal grill. Then build a pyramid of charcoal briquettes above and around the paraffin cubes. Turn on the cube and when all the briquettes are evenly lit and covered with ash, spread them evenly around the bed of the grill.
I don't like or recommend starter fluid immediately available in stores. These fluids can give charcoal a flavor I don't like and prefer a more natural non-chemical way to light the fire.
A chimney starter can hold 90 to 100 briquettes. This should cover 2/3 of the area of a standard 22 1/2 inch standard carbon kettle grill such as the commonly used Weber kettle grill. It is important to use the right amount of briquettes in order to obtain uniform heat. Charcoal briquettes should extend at least 4 inches in any direction beyond any food you are cooking. This will allow for even heat and allow food to cook evenly.
