Think of your fire like a celebrity—it needs a good support system. The first mistake people make is skimping on the charcoal or wood. If you’re using charcoal, pile it up in a pyramid or use a chimney starter. The chimney starter is basically a magic cylinder that turns “meh” into “woah.”
If you’re a wood-fire person, don’t grab just any sticks from the yard. You want dry, seasoned hardwood—oak, hickory, or maple. Wet wood smokes like a bad relationship: it’s all drama and no payoff. And please, for the love of all that is sizzling, avoid lighter fluid if you can. It’s like using a flamethrower to light a candle—dramatic, but you’ll taste it later.
