Do you know how to get perfect embers?

Jumaco & Maestro ovens » News » Do you know how to get perfect embers?

If you have one barbecue Whether because you have one at home and you like to organize meals with family and friends or because you work in a restaurant or grill where you prepare grilled food, you will know that, although there are many barbecue lovers who deeply enjoy the moment of lighting the embers, there are many other people for whom Lighting charcoal or wood can be a real ordeal.

The truth is that, getting some good coals It's all an art, but it is also true that even Less experienced people can manage to light them correctly by following the proper guidelines.

Therefore, from Jumaco Maestro ovens, grill and barbecue manufacturers, we want to share with you the best lighting techniques so you can get perfect embers. So forget about trying to light your embers by airing them with cardboard or a hair dryer and take note of these tips!

But first, remember that the most important thing to achieve good embers is oxygen since the fire needs air for good combustion and the embers to ignite and to avoid excess smoke. And we don't want that, right?

Now yes, let's see some simple techniques to generate good embers with charcoal or firewood.

Starters

The fire starters They are products or objects that are intended to help us to create fire so that after, coal or wood that we have chosen can catch.

However, if we use initiators that contain chemical products such as kerosene or other petroleum distillates we run the risk of leaving odors and transferring them to the food, affecting its flavor.. Therefore we recommend you use starters that are as natural and ecological as possible for example, pine cones, wood chips, wooden boxes or ignition tablets made from wood or straw that allow fires to be lit quickly, effectively and safely without leaving traces on food.

Firewood lighting

This It is the most traditional way to light the embers. However, when planning our barbecue it is important that we take into account that the process is slower than when we light it with charcoal.

To try to achieve lighting as quickly as possible, we recommend that you use logs that are not too large (ideally, they should be about 30 centimeters).

Then all we have to do is light some pine cones or pine chips with newspaper or a lighter tablet (remember that it is important that it is odorless) and, when good flames have been generated, gradually incorporate the logs and wait until they become good embers.

charcoal ignition

With this technique what we will have to do is to create a small mountain with charcoal and place different starters at its base. (pine cones, wood chips or whatever you like the most) always trying to ensure that there are different sources of fire distributed throughout the entire base so that the charcoal catches fire and turns into embers evenly.

Also, instead of making a mountain with the coals we can also make a kind of volcano where we leave a space with air inside to put an initiator and light it. Likewise, it is necessary to light different lights around the base of the volcano.

The more bulbs you create, the more starters you will need, but the faster the ignition will be.

With fruit boxes

If you have at home the typical wooden boxes in which some vegetables or fruits come like, for example, strawberries, you should know that they can become your best allies since They are made with fine poplar wood that is ideal for starting a fire.

You simply have to do some holes in the base (if it doesn't already have them) to ensure that air enters properly, fill it with charcoal and place it on the barbecue creating an angle of 45^0.

Once you have this you will only have light the base of the box using a starter and ¡Vualá! In a few minutes you will have perfect embers.

With ember holder

If what you are looking for It is the simplest, fastest and most effective way To always have your embers ready, then the ember holder or fireplace starter is your best option.

It's about a cylindrical container made of metal whose base is a grid which allows a lot of air to enter. Its operation is very simple: you just have to Fill the charcoal holder with charcoal, place it on top of the barbecue and light it at the base with some ignition tablets.

After a few minutes, as if it were a chimney, the charcoal will begin to light. And, when it has transformed into embers you will only have to dump them under the grill.

Smokeless ignition

If you have an indoor barbecue or want to prepare it on the terrace or in a space that does not have much ventilation, you will be happy to know that It is possible to light a barbecue without making smoke.

For this the only thing that you will need to it is coconut shell charcoal and a gas torch. You will only have to Place about 10 coal cubes in the shape of a pyramid and light the base of the pyramid with the blowtorch.. Once the base is lit, the rest of the coals will light on their own.

If you are thinking of purchasing a barbecue or grill for your home or business do not hesitate to contact us. At Hornos Jumaco we have a wide catalog of industrial barbecues, construction barbecues and grills and we also offer you the possibility of having it made to measure. Our specialists will be happy to advise you.

Source:

Benayas, JM, Celada, E., & Hernández, A. (2018). Between embers: the secrets of the fire kitchen. Planet.