Start a charcoal chimney with newspaper and a long lighter.

Yes, the safest way is to use crumpled newspaper and a long-reach butane lighter.

Burning lighter fluid is dumb. It smells, it flares up, and you’re inhaling chemical fumes that stick to your food. Skip it.

Here’s what you do: Crumple a few sheets of newspaper (about 3–4, not a whole phonebook) and stuff them under the chimney. Fill the chimney with charcoal. Light the paper through the bottom holes with a long lighter. The paper catches, the coals ignite, and 15 minutes later you have perfect gray coals.

A long lighter keeps your hand away from the fire. That’s the safety part. A regular lighter works fine but you’re leaning in closer than you need to. A propane torch works, but that’s overkill and way easier to fuck up if you’re not paying attention.

The only real risk with newspaper is if you use too much and flames shoot out the top. Don’t be that person. Three sheets, tops.

If you don’t have newspaper, natural fire starters (the little paraffin-free cubes) are almost as good. But newspaper is free and works every time.

Just don’t use lighter