Why is my Charcoal Grill Smoking Too Much – What To Do

Have you ever had your charcoal grill smoking too much more than usual? And due to this, it becomes nearly impossible to cook anything on it. If so, you’re not the only one facing this trouble, many of us face this issue with our charcoal grills.

No need to worry, whenever there is a problem, there is a solution. So according to my experience with charcoal grills, I have discussed here a few things that can answer how to reduce smoke in a charcoal grill.

Why Is My Charcoal Grill Smoking Too Much

Following are the reasons that are causing black smoke to come out of your charcoal grill.

Poor Ventilation:

The lack of good ventilation is one of the primary causes of a smoky charcoal grill. Make sure your grill has enough air flow by ensuring the vents on the sides of your grill are open.

Too Much Charcoal:

Using too much charcoal can cause your grill to smoke excessively, leading to an unpleasant grilling experience. To reduce the amount of smoke produced, minimize the use of charcoal by only covering the bottom of your grill with it.

Old Charcoal:

Old, wet, or damp charcoal will cause your grill to smoke a lot more than usual. Make sure you’re using fresh charcoal each time you cook and consider investing in a good quality brand that won’t need as much maintenance.

Over-Crowded Food:

Don’t make your charcoal grill overcrowded with food. Keep proper space between the foods. So that it cooks evenly.

Leftover Food Particle:

Leftover food particles are the primary reason behind too much smoking from our charcoal grills. Sometimes we don’t notice and sometimes we just ignore the remaining food particles of previously cooked meals on a grill that cause a lot of smoke. Most of the time the reason for too much smoking is the same, remaining food on the grill.

Residue From Cleaning Products: 

We do make our grills cleaned before every use. But, if there is any cleaning product residue left on the grill, it will smoke excessively with an awful odor when heated up.

A lot Of Seasoning Of Food On Your Grill Grates:

If you are pouring a lot of liquid on grill grates then get ready for a lot of smoke. As charcoal grill smoke too much in such case.

Unattended Food/Flames:

Avoid letting your charcoal burn unattended and always keep an eye on it. If you notice flames flaring up, simply close the lid of your grill and reduce the temperature. Also don’t let your food unattended with closed lid for long time. It may burn and produce more smoke.

Using Your Grill For The First Time:

Many charcoal grills come with a manufacturer coating that can cause your grill to smoke excessively. Don’t worry if your grill is new and you are using it for the first time, it may generate more smoke than usual.

Due To Thermometer Space:

Sometimes, heat escapes from the grill due to the openings of the thermometer. That can also cause smoke.

What You Are Using To Light Your Charcoal: 

 Using lighter fluid or other combustible liquids can reduce the amount of oxygen needed for your grill to burn properly, resulting in excessive smoke.

Grease Fires:  

Grease fires are common with charcoal grills and can cause a lot of smoke to be produced.

You Haven’t Arranged Your Charcoal Properly: 

How the charcoal is arranged can have a huge impact on the amount of smoke produced. Try to space out your charcoal evenly and create a single layer across the bottom of the grill for even cooking.

A Broken Piece In The Grill:  

If you’re using an old grill, there may be a broken piece inside the chamber that can cause your grill to smoke excessively. Mostly, it happens in the case of electric grills, but you can have some issues with charcoal grills as well.

How To Clean Your Grill To Reduce Smoking

If you love grilling but hate a lot of smoke that surrounds you, you’re in luck. There are a few simple tips and tricks you can use to reduce the amount of smoke from the grill. By following these tips, you’ll be able to enjoy all the flavors of grilled foods without feeling like you’re trapped in a smoky room.

Disassemble Your Charcoal Grill:

Well, this is something a part of my regular grilling routine. I often used to disassemble my grill. By taking apart the components of a typical backyard BBQ grill, and removing its grates, you will find the main chamber of the grill. This is the place where all food residue and drippings land. You can get all that pesky grease there. Grease will build up quickly if not cleaned regularly so make sure to give yourself enough time for this.

Check the Burner Tubes Of the Grill:

It’s important to check your burner tubes for blockages regularly, especially if you have a gas grill. Getting reduced flame size and an orange hue rather than blue are both signs that there’s something wrong with them; namely powered Burner Tubes or unusually low temperatures which can lead to many other issues like rusted parts (which will eventually cause misfire).

Cleaning Up The Interior:

It’s not always easy to see what’s inside your grill, but you should take care of it soon before food builds up and starts spilling out onto whatever surface is below. You can use an old spatula or putty knife (both metal) for scraping away at all that gunk! If possible get yourself some gloves too since this task will likely make your hands dirty.

Make a habit of cleaning ash from coal trays and fireboxes.

Avoid Building Up Grease:

 Specific particles will help to discourage deposits of grease and dirt from forming at your next BBQ. One technique is pre-cooking meat on a hot grill with some oil before you start cooking, which greases up those stubborn grates for easy cleanup!

Another method that works really well and I can say it’s my favorite is, to take a half onion piece and rub it on hot metal grates carefully. You may read my post on how to clean a BBQ grill with onion, I have written step-by-step detailed guidelines of this method.

You may also use a scrapper to scrap off the food particles when the grill is hot either before or after grilling.

Following these tips should help you considerably reduce the amount of smoke produced by your charcoal grill. If your grill is still smoking excessively, consider consulting with a professional to get a proper diagnosis and solution.

How To Reduce Smoke Charcoal Grill

Place Charcoal Grill In An Open Space:

It’s important to choose your location carefully. You’ll be needing an open space where the smoke can disperse easily.

If you’re grilling in your backyard, try to position the grill away from any trees or other obstacles that might block the smoke.

You should also avoid grilling near any buildings, as the smoke could drift inside and cause problems.

Don’t be in hurry, take a few minutes to select the right location, you can ensure that your charcoal grill will be safe and effective.

Use Chimney Starter:

Using a chimney starter is often the best option among all other available options. This method involves placing your charcoal in the chimney starter, then lighting a piece of paper or kindling beneath it. The flames will then spread to the charcoal, and you can start cooking once the coals are hot.

One advantage of using a chimney starter is that it produces less smoke than other methods, such as using lighter fluid. This is because all of the combustible material is burned off before it has a chance to smoke. In this way, you will get food with a better flavor and there will be less air pollution.

Using a chimney starter is also generally safer than other methods since there is no risk of spilling flammable liquids near the fire. Overall, using a chimney starter is an easy and efficient way to light your charcoal while minimizing smoke production.

Dissipate Smoke With Open Lid While Starting:

Everyone loves his own way to deal with his grill, there are all sorts of different techniques that can be used to produce delicious results. However, managing heat and smoke can be a little tricky.

One common mistake that many cooks make is starting with the lid closed, trapping heat and smoke inside the pot or pan. This may overcook or burn your food.

Instead, it’s better to start with the lid open so the heat can escape and the smoke will dissipate. This will help to ensure that food is cooked evenly and without any undesirable burnt edges. So next time grilling something delicious, remember to start with the lid open!

Keep The Vents On Open:

Keep the vents open so to let the air circulate. This will help to prevent the build-up of smoldering coals, which are one of the main sources of smoke.

In addition, be sure to clean your grill regularly, as built-up grease and food particles can also contribute to smoke production.

Avoid Cooking Fatty Foods:

Always choose foods that are healthy and delicious, but you also need to take into account how they will impact your kitchen. For example, fatty foods tend to create more smoke than lean meats. As a result, they can leave your kitchen feeling greasy and smoky.

If possible, try to avoid cooking these types of foods. Instead, opt for leaner options that will produce less smoke. Not only will this help to keep your kitchen clean, but it will also allow you to enjoy the food without having to deal with the lingering smells. Either way, just be sure to make whatever decision works best for you and your kitchen.

Use Lump Charcoal:

One way to reduce the amount of smoke produced by a charcoal grill is to use lump charcoal. Lump charcoal is made from whole logs that have been burned down to charcoals. The pieces are irregular in shape, which allows for more airflow and less smoke.

Also, lump charcoal burns hotter and cleaner than other types of charcoal, making it ideal for those who want to minimize the amount of smoke produced by their grill.

So if you’re looking for a way to enjoy all the benefits of charcoal grilling without the smoke, try using lump charcoal.

You and your guests will be sure to appreciate the difference.

Indirect Heating:

Cooking with indirect heat is a great way to reduce the amount of smoke that comes from your charcoal grill. By placing the food on one side of the grill and the coals on the other, you can cook the food without it coming into direct contact with the flames.

This reduces the amount of smoke that is produced, making it more enjoyable for both you and your guests.

Another benefit of indirect heating is it helps to evenly cook the food, resulting in juicier and more flavorful meats and vegetables. So next time you fire up the grill, remember to cook with indirect heat to minimize smoke and maximize flavor.

Wrapping Up:

Charcoal grilling can be a great way to cook up some delicious food, but it can also produce a lot of smoke. By following these tips, you can reduce the amount of smoke that your grill produces and make your backyard barbecue much more enjoyable.

Have you tried these techniques for reducing smoke? What worked best for you? We would love to hear from you.