You don’t need lighter fluid.

You don’t. A chimney starter and a piece of newspaper is all it takes.

Put your charcoal in the chimney, stuff a few crumpled sheets of newspaper in the bottom compartment, light the paper, and wait 15–20 minutes. The coals will be glowing and ready to pour into the grill. No chemical taste, no scary flare-ups, no hassle.

If you don’t have a chimney (they’re like $15), you can make a pyramid of coals and light a few paraffin fire starter cubes tucked underneath. Those burn clean and don’t mess with flavor. Avoid wax-coated cardboard or random household accelerants.

Electric charcoal starters work too, but you need an outlet nearby.

Once you try the chimney method, lighter fluid will feel like the old way. And it is.