Learn how to light lump charcoal or briquettes without lighter fluid.

This is a really simple technique. First, the wood gas stove is lit. My preferred fuel for the wood gas stove is wood pellets. I light the wood gas stove using a petroleum jelly coated cotton ball and a ferro rod. My previous videos demonstrate how to quickly and efficiently light a wood gas stove. If you are fast, it takes less than a minute to light a wood gas stove. Once the wood gas stove is burning, I put the charcoal chimney filled with lump charcoal or briquettes on top of the wood gas stove. The wood gas stove then lights the lump charcoal on fire. The wood gas stove flame is long and hot and lasts over 30 minutes, which ensures that the lump charcoal is lit on fire. A wood gas stove is less smoky than lighting newspaper or cardboard underneath a charcoal chimney. A wood gas stove flame also lasts longer than newspaper or cardboard, and smells better. It’s sometimes difficult to get lump charcoal lit using either newspaper or cardboard.

I place the stove in an outdoor fire pit to catch any falling coals or embers. A wind screen is placed around the outdoor fire pit, to ensure that the wood gas stove works at optimal efficiency. In some circumstances, such as when there is little or no wind, the windscreen may not be necessary.

Safety Issues

I like to wear safety glasses and leather welding gloves when working with a wood gas stove and a charcoal chimney. The leather protects my hands from accidental burns from touching hot metal. It’s a good idea to think ahead and only light the wood gas stove in a safe area where there is no risk of starting an accidental fire. Make sure nothing around the wood gas stove can catch on fire, for example long dry grass. I have pail of water, hose or fire extinguisher nearby in case there is an accidental fire and I need to quickly put out the fire. A shovel may also be a good idea.


Enjoy your BBQ cookout and Have A Great Day!