Pro tip: Stop using lighter fluid on charcoal briquettes

I watched a guy at a cookoff in Kansas City soak his coals with lighter fluid and then light them up. The chemical taste just doesn't burn off and it gets into the meat (especially chicken). I switched to a chimney starter for about $15 and the flavor difference is night and day. Has anyone else noticed a big improvement after ditching the fluid?

2 comments

2 Comments

hart.cora24d ago

Did you catch that episode of Food Network where they actually tested lighter fluid vs chimney starters blind? Pretty eye-opening how many people could taste the difference.

the_sam24d agoProlific Poster

Did you see that same test pop up on Reddit a few months back? A buddy of mine did it at a backyard cookout and swore the lighter fluid burgers had a weird chemical taste.