10 Reasons Charcoal Grill Keeps Going Out & Tips

If you’re a fan of barbeque, you know that a charcoal grill can be a great way to cook up some delicious food.

But if your charcoal grill keeps going out when you light it, it can be a frustrating experience.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss the reasons why a charcoal grill might not stay lit, and provide tips on how to troubleshoot and fix the problem.

Charcoal Grill Keeps Going Out

Lack of airflow is most likely to blame if your charcoal barbecue keeps going out after you fire it.

Make sure your smoker has adequate ventilation and that the coals are correctly packed.

Ensure that the charcoal you use is dry, and add cooking wood or charcoal starters to the fire to keep it going.

In order to keep the coals burning, make sure there isn’t too much ash or other debris accumulated in the grill.

Your charcoal grill can run continuously if you have the correct information and a little patience.

Possible reasons why charcoal grill keeps going out

There are several possible reasons why a charcoal grill keeps going out, including:

1. Loss of airflow: Because charcoal requires a constant flow of oxygen to burn, a restriction in the airflow may cause the fire to extinguish.

Ensure sure your grill’s vents are open and unobstructed by ash or other debris.

2. Wet charcoal: Wet charcoal will not burn as efficiently as dry charcoal. It could be difficult to start a fire and might burn out rapidly if your charcoal is moist.

Ensure that you keep your charcoal in a dry environment.

3. Insufficient charcoal: This may cause the fire to burn out before your meal is fully cooked.

Make sure you have enough charcoal to keep the fire going steadily.

4. Low-quality charcoal: There are different varieties of charcoal, each of which has a different level of quality.

Low-quality charcoal may not burn as well or last as long. It’s possible that the reason your grill keeps burning out is that you’re using cheap or poor-quality charcoal.

5. Wind: A fire can be put out by strong winds by blowing the flame out or the hot embers about.

Try to place your barbecue in a wind-sheltered area if possible.

6. Ash accumulation: Ash accumulation in the grill’s bottom might obstruct airflow and put out the fire.

To guarantee optimal ventilation, remember to regularly wipe up the ash.

7. Insufficient preheating: To make sure the charcoal is evenly heated, and the grill is at the proper temperature, charcoal grills need to be preheated for several minutes before you start cooking.

The fire may die out before you’re done cooking if you start cooking too soon.

8. Inadequately positioned charcoal: If the charcoal is not placed correctly in the grill, it may not burn evenly and the fire may extinguish in some places.

Make sure the charcoal is distributed evenly and is not crowded too closely.

9. Extinguishing agent: If you used an extinguishing agent to put out a fire on your grill, such as water or a fire extinguisher, it might have wet the charcoal and made it challenging to rekindle.

Make sure to avoid using extinguishing agents on charcoal fires unless it’s absolutely necessary.

10. Damp or wet environment: A damp or wet environment might have an impact on how well your grill functions.

The ability of charcoal to ignite and maintain a flame can be hampered by moisture. If at all feasible, look for a dry area to barbecue in.

Learn more about charcoal grill safety tips.

Tips to keep the charcoal grill burning consistently

You may give your food a delightful, smoky flavor by grilling on a charcoal barbecue.

Yet, many grillers find it difficult to maintain a steady flame for the charcoal.

Here are some tips to help you keep your charcoal grill burning consistently during grilling:

1. Utilize high-quality charcoal: Choose briquettes made of wood or high-quality charcoal made from hardwood. This will burn more steadily and thoroughly.
2. Employ a chimney starter to ignite the charcoal: A chimney starting is a fantastic instrument. Light a few pieces of newspaper underneath the starter and add charcoal to it. After lighting the charcoal, add it to the grill.
3. Arrange the charcoal properly: The best way to arrange charcoal is to make a pyramid-shaped arrangement with the bottom layer of coals contacting the grate. This will promote even fire spread.
4. Use enough charcoal: Make sure you use enough charcoal to completely cover the bottom of the grill. Charcoal burns for a longer period of time when more is used.
5. Leave the cover open: To let the charcoal ignite and heat up, leave the lid open for the first 10–15 minutes. Replace the lid once the charcoal has gone gray.
6. Adjust the vents: Vents should be adjusted in order to control airflow and maintain a consistent temperature. The vents can be opened to raise the temperature or closed to lower it.
7. Use a grill thermometer: Employ a grill thermometer to keep track of the grill’s temperature. You can use this to determine whether to add more charcoal or change the vents.
8. Add charcoal as needed: If more charcoal is required, add it as needed to keep the temperature steady. Before adding more charcoal to the grill, ignite it in a charcoal chimney.
9. Keep the grill clean: Maintaining a clean grill can aid in more even burning of the charcoal. Before each usage, clean the grill grates and clear any ash accumulation from the base of the grill.

FAQs

Why does my charcoal grill keep going out?

There may be a number of causes for the intermittent failure of your charcoal grill. The insufficient airflow to the coals is one potential cause.

The coals may not be correctly piled or organized, which is another potential explanation.

Moreover, a broken or incorrectly configured vent system may be to blame. Finally, using outdated or damp charcoal may also be to blame.

How do I prevent my charcoal grill from going out?

You must make sure that the coals are positioned correctly and that there is sufficient space between them if you want to keep your charcoal barbecue from burning out.

By adjusting the grill’s vents, you should also make sure that there is adequate airflow to the coals.

Furthermore, employing top-notch, dry charcoal might aid in preventing the grill from burning out.

How do I maintain a consistent temperature on my charcoal grill?

You should frequently check the temperature of your charcoal barbecue using a thermometer to maintain a constant temperature.

If extra charcoal is required to keep the proper temperature, you can do so. The grill’s vents can be adjusted to help control the temperature.

Can wind affect my charcoal grill’s performance?

Yes, the performance of your charcoal grill can be impacted by wind.

A windy day may cause the coals to burn more quickly than usual, which may result in the grill burning out.

You can install a windbreak or place your grill in a protected area to stop this from happening.

What is the best way to light charcoal for my grill?

Use a chimney starter to ignite charcoal for your grill because it works the best.

The chimney starter only needs to be filled with charcoal, some newspaper or kindling at the bottom, and lit.

Pour the coals into the grill carefully after they are hot and ash-covered.

How often should I clean my charcoal grill?

It is advised that you clean your charcoal barbecue each time you use it.

Cleaning includes cleaning the grill’s exterior as well as clearing any extra food debris from the grates and ash pan.

In order to get rid of any accumulated grease and dirt, you should deep clean your grill at least once a year.

Learn more about cleaning charcoal grill grates.

Conclusion

In conclusion, troubleshooting and fixing a charcoal grill that keeps going out when lighted can be a challenge, but it is also a rewarding experience.

With the right knowledge and a bit of patience, you can keep your charcoal grill going all day long.

Once you have the basics down, you can start experimenting with different recipes, grilling techniques, and charcoal types to unlock the full potential of your charcoal grill.

So don’t let a pesky problem keep you from enjoying delicious barbeque— get out there and get grilling!

Learn more about bad grilling habits.