When it comes to grilling, twigs, and matches are an excellent substitute for lighter fluid. Start with a small fire made of fragile twigs, then build up with stiffer twigs and wood chips until it becomes a roaring bonfire. Once the fire is burning, add charcoal and continue cooking as you normally would.
The lighter liquid helps the charcoal ignite quickly. The hotter the flames, the greater the amount of lighter fluid used. For those who cook often, it is very easy to run out of lighter fluid very quickly. In addition, it can be very dangerous when in the hands of untrained users. Alternative methods, such as twigs and matches, electric metal lighters, and metal chimneys, achieve the same goals, but with less danger and less waste.
There are several substitutes for lighter fluid. They can range from commercially available to self-made. Let us look at some of them.
Great Ideas For Charcoal Lighter Fluid Substitutes
1. Newspaper
It is possible to burn charcoal using old newspapers if you do not have access to a chimney starter or electric starter.
You should make sure that the grill is placed in a draft-free area and that there is no dust or debris on the surface of the installation. In addition, open the vents as much as possible before placing the newspapers on the rack. This will ensure that oxygen is circulated in the proper direction.
2. Vegetable oil as lighter fluid
A surprising number of people are unaware that vegetable oil can be used as a substitute for lighter fluid.
Vegetable oil can be applied topically or ingested as a liquid. However, it will need help, and this is where the newspaper comes in. The technique is simple: roll up balls of newspaper and dip them in vegetable oil until they are soft. Place them in the right place and turn on the lights.
3. Use of sugar
Sugar is an excellent alternative for homemade lighter oil, as it is non-flammable. There is a large amount of glucose in sugar, and the main components of glucose are carbon and hydrogen, both called hydrocarbons.
With a sugar sprayer, sprinkle sugar in the area where you want the fire to start. When the sugar comes in contact with a flame, it releases a chemical agent that causes the flame to ignite. This will be very useful, especially if you are trying to light a charcoal grill.
4. Chimney Starter
The chimney lighter seems to be the most obvious alternative to the charcoal lighter. Some chemicals and additives are not needed for the manufacture of these beautiful instruments.
5. Alcohol
Alcohol is a highly flammable substance that should be avoided at all costs. As an alternative, vodka, which is a lighter oil, would work well. It is also important to remember that bourbon is a wonderful and refreshing light drink. A variety of materials containing alcohol can be used to light the flame.
It should be noted that not all alcohol-containing substances will light the fire. The saturation level must be at least 40% or higher to provide a reliable light source. The use of burning alcohol as lighter fluid is permitted in this standard. Mineral oil may also be used in this situation.
6. Cardboard crate
If you want to continue recycling the cardboard box, you can use it as firewood for your next barbecue. Prepare your cooking chamber by placing the cardboard in the cooking chamber and burning all four sides of the cardboard. As the cardboard burns, the embers will gradually ignite.
FAQs
How do you start a fire without lighter fluid?
If you do not have propane canisters, lighter fluid, or kindling agents, you can simply use vegetable oil and paper as kindling agents for the firewood.
Can you use gasoline in place of lighter fluid?
Do not use gasoline, kerosene, or other highly volatile liquids as primers. They will explode. As an alternative to lighter liquids, use a solid metal electric fireplace or other screwdriver designed to ignite charcoal or wood blocks.
Can whiskey be used as lighter fluid?
You can use whiskey or even the bottle itself to help open a campfire in a pinch. However, if your lighter does not work, you can also use a round whiskey bottle with a little water as a magnifying glass to light your ignitor.
Final Thoughts
There are valid reasons to refrain from using lighter fluids, as they may have detrimental effects on the environment.
The methods mentioned above have been extensively tested and have proven to provide the required results in a variety of situations.
