| Heat |
Temperature |
Where to Place Food on Charcoal Grill |
Appearance of Charcoal Grill when Ready |
 |
| High |
230 - 340 C |
Directly over center of bright red-orange glow |
Coals glow bright red-orange (hand 4
inches above grate for 2-3 seconds)
|
|
| Medium-High |
205 C |
On edge of red-orange glowing center |
Coals glow orange while starting to ash
over (hand 4 inches above grate for 4-5 seconds)
|
|
| Medium |
160 - 175 C |
In the 1-2 inch-wide ring surrounding
red-orange glowing center
|
Coals will be lightly ashed over but still
glowing orange (hand 4 inches above grate for 6-8 seconds)
|
|
| Medium-Low |
150 C |
In the 3-4 inch-wide ring surrounding
red-orange glowing center
|
Coals will be ashed over and have a faint
orange glow (hand 4 inches above grate for
9-10 seconds)
|
|
| Low |
105 - 120 C |
In the 5-6 inch-wide ring surrounding
red-orange glowing center
|
Coals will be thickly ashed over (hand 4
inches above grate for 11-14 seconds)
|
- Prior to start, check for adequate fuel. An average fire uses 3-4 pounds of charcoal.
- The charcoal is ready for cooking when about 80% of the coals appear gray with ash. (At night, these coals appear glowing red)
- To lower the temperature spread the coals.
- To intensify the heat, consolidate the coals closer together.
- The vents, usually found in the lid, may also be used for temperature control.
| Temperature |
Minutes from Lighting |
Appearance |
|
| High (230 -340 C) |
5-10 |
Glowing bright orange
|
|
| Medium-High (205 C) |
10-15 |
Glowing bright orange with a faint layer of ash
|
|
| Medium (150 C) |
15-25
|
Glowing orange with a light layer of ash
|
|
| Medium-Low (150 C) |
25-30
|
Pale orange with a medium layer of ash
|
|
| Low (105 - 120 C) |
30-40
|
Faint orange with a thick layer of ash
|
|
