Charcoal Calculator
Too little charcoal and you run cold; too much and you waste fuel. Enter your grill diameter and target heat to estimate how many briquettes to light.
Charcoal Calculator
Why use the Charcoal Calculator
Too few coals and you stall halfway through the cook; too many just wastes fuel. This matches the amount to your grill and heat level.
How to get your numbers
- Grill grate diameter in inches.
- Target heat: high for searing, low for indirect and slow.
Recommended for this job
How to use it
- Enter the cooking grate diameter in inches.
- Choose your target heat level.
- Light in a chimney and spread once ashed over.
Frequently asked questions
How much charcoal do I need?
A 22-inch grill needs roughly 100 briquettes for high heat, fewer for medium and indirect cooking. This tool scales it to your grate size.
How many briquettes are in a chimney starter?
A standard chimney holds about 100 briquettes — enough to cover a full 22-inch grate for high-heat cooking.
Briquettes or lump charcoal — which is better?
Briquettes burn steady and even, which is great for timed cooks; lump burns hotter and faster with more smoke flavor but less consistency.
How much charcoal for low and slow smoking?
Use fewer lit coals in a snake or minion layout so unlit coals ignite gradually, holding 225–250°F for hours instead of a hot, fast burn.
How long does a batch of charcoal last?
Roughly 30–60 minutes at high heat in the open; banked to one side with the vents controlled, it can hold usable heat for a couple of hours.
Do I need a chimney starter?
It is the easiest, cleanest way to light charcoal evenly and avoids the taste of lighter fluid. Highly recommended over lighter fluid.
How much charcoal for a 22-inch grill?
About a full chimney (~100 briquettes) for high, direct heat; roughly half that for medium two-zone cooking.
