5 Mistakes to Avoid when Cooking on a Charcoal Grill | 5 Tips for New Grillers | AntStill BBQ

If you're anything like me when I first started out then you probably made the 5 common mistakes listed below when cooking on your charcoal grill. No worries that's what AntStill BBQ is here for. Check out this video to see my tips on how to avoid these 5 crucial mistake.
1) Not using a chimney to start your fire
2) Placing the coals on the grill grates before they're white gray
3) Not understanding the dampers/vents
4) Cooking without a temp gauge
5) Not using a stop watch or timer during your cook
Essential Grilling Kit-kit.co/AntStill_BBQ/essential...
My Filming Kit-kit.co/AntStill_BBQ/filming-kit
For all things BBQ mash the thumbs up button, subscribe, and turn the bell notification on so that you don't miss an episode.
Instagram- / antstill_bbq
Website-antstillbbq.com/
DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you! Thank you for supporting AntStill BBQ so that I can continue to provide you with free content!
~-~~-~~~-~~-~
Check out: "Weber Master Touch Unboxing & Assembly | AntStill BBQ"
• From Box to BBQ: Unbox...
~-~~-~~~-~~-~

[@kingjohnsoniii6986]

Young black male dropping jewels on us. I've been grilling for a couple years but you can never know too much facts!!! Great video man.

[@antstill_bbq]

I appreciate it! I still have so much to learn. I just wanted to share what I’ve learned so far.

[@chiapet694]

You are amazing! I’ve struggled my whole life trying to start charcoal and it always failed. Finally nailed it at age 36! Lol

[@antstill_bbq]

It’s all good! That’s what my channel is for. Glad I could help. Never too old lol.

[@nbk8281]

Your 37 now

[@mariannelopez5158]

Thank you!!! I'm 68 ..you helped me so much.. now I get it. You explained this so we'll.. I'm ready to do this👍🌞💕

[@antstill_bbq]

Glad I could help! 😎

[@upsideview3259]

I liked the tip about the explaining of the vents to control temperature.

[@antstill_bbq]

Oh yeah. They really make a difference for airflow which affects the temp.

[@thesoundpainterbkny3465]

Brother I made every mistake you mentioned on this video. I learned a lot so I subscribed and liked. Now I’m going to get my portable chimney.

[@antstill_bbq]

You’ll thank yourself with the chimney. I literally don’t start my fire without it.

[@daphyneshine3222]

I’m about to *attempt* to grill this weekend. Gotta love KZbin to teach a rookie how to work the grill. Now to find a video to monitor food while cooking. 🤗🤗

[@mavissmith3]

Three years later and still helpful

[@FlowerChyld143]

This is good... but I'm a visual learner; I always appreciate examples and what things that are being mentioned look like, as it's happening.

[@chriscarrell2653]

I can't make any mistakes now. Have been wanting to get into charcoal/ wood grilling/ smoking for awhile and this was a great beginner video. Especially mentioning unc with the crazy Sandals!

[@ban2fab4]

Very informative. It helped me realize that I did not have enough time to cook on the grill this evening. Maybe another day I can try these good tips.

[@MsKaycee1]

Thank you for taking the time to teach us. I'm new at grilling and this was very helpful.

[@antstill_bbq]

You are so welcome! Glad I could help.

[@theawkwardturtle]

Awesome video! Simple but informative! Honestly, I've never even heard of chimney until now. Gonna try using it next time I use charcoal. Thanks again for the video. 😀

[@antstill_bbq]

No problem. I literally never cook without firing up my chimney. Thanks for watching!

[@davidstokes925]

My mistake was not ever having temp gauge. I thought for someone just starting this was a great video!

[@antstill_bbq]

Yay! Yeah that temp gauge is crucial to simplify and be more effective.

[@TomioB]

Omg you are a life saver!! Give us more. I’ve never grilled before and am getting ready to buy the Weber.. the black one in your video. I was super nervous but now I feel better. Going to purchase everything you recommended! Thank you

[@antstill_bbq]

No problem! Glad I could help.

[@TomioB]

@Kevin green never until 11 months ago lol

[@joeyleerobbins]

Awesome tips my friend! This is a great video! A few years ago when I got into BBQ I had no clue what I was doing. I remember the days when I was younger and would douse my coals in lighter fluid and now looking back that was so dumb...lol! Just like everything in life when you look at seemingly complicated tasks it boils down to just being a series of smaller steps done in a specific order! You are so right it is mostly science and learning the key things you went over makes cooking so enjoyable! Now I have a Rec Teq pellet smoker and a thermapen that are a match made in heaven lol! Cooking meat to temp is so key to success! I appreciate you doing this video and I hope your channel grows you deserve it! Keep grillin' my man!

[@antstill_bbq]

I greatly appreciate you taking the time to watch my video Joseph! Please continue to Stay tuned. New videos coming soon. I try my best to let people know how simple this is. Just gotta know the fundamentals. 😎

[@BbqMikeG]

I like the size of those dampers and how easy they are to reach. You really break it down in an easy to understand way!

[@antstill_bbq]

I appreciate that! 💪🏾

[@swanell1]

I see your just starting and this video is better than a lot I've seen very informative and detailed!! I'm subscribed!! looking forward to more videos

[@antstill_bbq]

I appreciate that! My goal is not to cheat you all. Glad you notice the detail. Let me know if it's anything you'd like me to cover.

[@janer5776]

Great video...thanks so much for sharing these helpful tips! I especially found very helpful the info you provided about the dampers!

[@antstill_bbq]

No problem. Glad I could be helpful.

[@mmsb13_420]

Great informative video! I'm new to charcoal grilling, so I'm really liking your videos. 🍔😃

[@antstill_bbq]

Yay! Welcome to the family. 😎

[@flashlight5695]

Thanks much...this was very informative!

[@BarackAubameyang]

Love it bro, I volunteered to grill for my friend's birthday this weekend and now I can crush it

[@GuelGuelG]

You just earned a subscriber, I am new to grilling and have started with a charcoal grill. You covered all of my questions and please do not give up on your dreams.

[@antstill_bbq]

Thanks for the encouragement! 🤛🏾

[@Digitaljoyride]

Awesome video man. Thanks for saving our picnic.

[@foxcm2000]

Great stuff!

[@shanaadams2290]

Thanks so much for the breakdown in this video. My mistake was immediately putting the charcoal on the grill. I also have made the mistake in not having a thermometer for the grill and food.

[@theprettyhouseguy]

Great tips. I’m grilling as I’m watching this video and see the mistakes I am making

[@DanielGarcia-hq9gg]

Awesome video. My mistake is always dousing the briquettes with lighter fluid and burning away. I don’t wait till they are grey and I don’t time my cooking. Thanks for the tips!

[@antstill_bbq]

Believe me I use to be the same way. I learned that patience is key. The great thing about cooking over a fire is that when done right it makes you slow down and take your time. Keep grilling! ✊🏾💪🏾

[@shaunrowe5949]

Great video, and great channel. Keep up the good work.

[@antstill_bbq]

I appreciate that Shaun! I'll keep em coming. Let me know if there's any content in particular that you'd like to see from the channel.

[@liamsrglennon2849]

All great tips. Thank you 🙂

[@antstill_bbq]

Thanks for watching! Glad it was helpful.

[@MotherOfSmoke]

Thanks for all of the great tips. I will be back to watch more.😀

[@antstill_bbq]

Thanks for checking out my channel! Glad I could help.

[@Rob_Lee]

Really good guide for beginners man. Good job!

[@antstill_bbq]

Thanks! Mission accomplished. 💪🏾

[@RedWingsninetyone]

I tend to find I have more issues when I wait for the charcoal to get all gray. Almost as if I've waited too long to pour them out of the chimney.

[@antstill_bbq]

Totally get that. I run mine until they are beginning to grey but not fall apart grey.

[@MrEdwardCollins]

Thank you for taking the time to create this video.

[@antstill_bbq]

The pleasure was all mine. Thank you for taking the time watch the channel! 😎

[@Rookie_Rockounding]

Nice bbq’n guide my dude! 👊

[@zshell-thomas2358]

Wonderful tips! You are on point with these tips.

[@antstill_bbq]

I appreciate it. 💪🏾

[@joshuaopphile4814]

Thanks for taking the time to make this video. Keep up the good work!

[@marciniwanski3395]

thanks for the tips. need that chimney and the tempeture reader now!. watching this vid while making dinner on bbq. thanks for the tips, greetings from ireland 😊

[@antstill_bbq]

Ahoy! 😎

[@user-zd5tx3oy2m]

Thanks for the tips, and keep up the good work.

[@antstill_bbq]

Thanks, will do!

[@christiansgrandma6812]

Never tried grilling before., but now I'm going to do it.

[@rowddyone3570]

A chimney changed my life also having a two zone grilling surface amazing

[@antstill_bbq]

Definitely a game changer

[@djjoeykmusic]

Great video Thank you

[@michaell5026]

Nice clear advice. Thanks.

[@antstill_bbq]

No problem Michael. Glad I could help.

[@AdmiralYrrek]

Great, helpful video. Good info and great structure. Too many of these beginner mistake listical videos I've been watching focus on the wrong things (buy more of this, do this style of bricket layout, etc.) and skip the practical. Your info is all practical and useable. Thank you!

[@antstill_bbq]

That means a lot. Thank you! That’s always my goal.

[@Runndeep]

Good stuff, appreciate it

[@antstill_bbq]

I appreciate it David!

[@bloukat]

Top tips Thx!

[@stephenclark9944]

Enjoyed your video thank you very much

[@antstill_bbq]

No problem Stephen. Thanks for tuning in!

[@adriant240]

I'm usually worried that my charcoals will run out of heat if I wait too long to put the meat on. It's not about being impatient, it's just I don't want my fire to die out, especially if I want to cook multiple batches. I have a small grill (just like the tiny one behind you on the ground) and I can't load it with a lot of charcoal. If I put too much charcoal then it will just scorch the meat. Also, have not used a chimney yet.

[@adh1980s]

Great job my Brotha !!!!! 💪🏾💪🏾

[@antstill_bbq]

✊🏾 I appreciate that!

[@sLoPPy2nds619]

Awesome video.. subscribed 💯

[@deborahthompson5041]

Fantastic tips and advice. All of the tips are appreciated. Good job.

[@antstill_bbq]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@dlouque]

All 5 tips were helpful, thanks.

[@marvlsp71]

Thanks bro. This video definitely helped me.

[@antstill_bbq]

Glad it helped 😎!

[@sunnyflower1979]

Thank u soooo much! I use all these techniques but never understood how to properly adjust the vents. I got it now! Thanks 🥩🍔🌭

[@antstill_bbq]

Happy grilling!

[@iRobotray]

Very helpful!

[@darcsiderOps]

fkn great information thank you. just bought my first real bbq and a chimney starter, so im looking for all the info i can get on how to cook better

[@antstill_bbq]

Welcome to the club! 😎💪🏾

[@patriciadunne3384]

Totally great video- nice arms too! Thank you!

[@antstill_bbq]

😉😎

[@Gracia144JesusSaves]

Thanks for Sharing 👍🙋🏻‍♀️

[@jessicascott.83]

As a newbie, having a temp gauge is great advice! Thanks so much. Everything was very helpful.

[@antstill_bbq]

Yeah that thermometer is key!

[@OurMacLife]

Thank you!

[@laurenzini6403]

Youre talking to me. Answers all my beginnerhood. Thanks.

[@antstill_bbq]

There's more to come. Stay tuned!

[@MrStanwillis]

All good, thanks

[@faithbrumback3692]

Thank you😊

[@jessemcphee5519]

Much appreciate it

[@TravelDiva61]

Excellent tips! 👍🏼

[@antstill_bbq]

Glad it was helpful!

[@chasybermudez1575]

Thank you so much such a big help

[@antstill_bbq]

That’s always my goal.

[@kennethwashington2405]

Anthony great video..I've been able to become a great griller by watching you tube. My biggest thing is I have to get thermometer to track how hot my grill is💯

[@antstill_bbq]

Oh yeah that’s 🔑

[@christopherascolibeyette7098]

Bet! I will subscribe man! I've never really done the research on how to grill! I'm smart, but my witts aren't going to cook my food! My grill is lol! Thank you so much!

[@antstill_bbq]

No problem Christopher! Thanks for watching the channel.😎

[@ClipsMcGee]

I subscribed, because you said Grilling Games. 😄 well done

[@antstill_bbq]

I appreciate it! 💪🏾

[@TechnoTommy]

Great video!! My biggest mistake was the intake and exhaust I’d have intake wide open and exhaust closed.

[@antstill_bbq]

Oh no!! Yeah let the air flow 💪🏾. Good luck!

[@upsideview3259]

Cool 👍🏼

[@Stevelemontrudy]

Great tips, I wish you were my neighbor. Subbed and looking forward to more great info. Thanks.

[@antstill_bbq]

Thanks! Yeah my current neighbors let have made it a point to stop by when they see and smell the smoke signals lol.

[@SonicBoomC98]

One the first tip, not only is it better for getting a good light on the fire, it also makes the food taste better. It eliminates that burnt, chemical taste. The second one is something a lot of people struggle with when they first start using a chimney. All these are great tips. I just gave someone these exact tips a couple days ago. I usually suggest these 5 plus two other things for most people. 1. I usually suggest people get a Weber or a grill like his, which is one with a vent at the bottom and top and preferable bullet or teardrop-shaped. I find a lot of people have problems keeping the fire going on the small, more square-shaped ones with the vent at the front. The Walmart special 2. I usually suggest people grill in two zones if the grill doesn't have any kind of stone, fire blocker, or heat deflector, so they have somewhere to not cook the food so fast or get it off the heat when flare-ups happen

[@antstill_bbq]

My kinda guy! I see you speak the language of grilling and smoking. 😎💪🏾

[@kristimcfadden3716]

All those tips will be incorporated into my grill time. And preparation

[@seethrupanti]

I like this channel and I like you!

[@neilhenderson5307]

Great information. I have a chimney but I think I have not been waiting long enough for the charcoal to gray over. The bottom coals are usually grey but the top coals are only about 20 percent gray. I use lump charcoal so maybe that slows things down a bit.

[@antstill_bbq]

Glad it was helpful! Yeah let the chimney sit for about 20 minutes or so and it should gray over.

[@t.c.5456]

Thank u

[@rackum44]

Great video I'm in new sub! Do you have a video or can you make one of how to use a adjustable height? I might charcoal grill I could adjust the height of the charcoal I would think if you raise it it would give more of a burn to like say a steak but I'm not for sure Thanks

[@GrillSergeant]

Great info, or should I say "grate" info. Cheers

[@antstill_bbq]

Haha grate dad joke. Glad I could help ✊🏾

[@mikealoisio]

Thanks for the tips! I have always been intimidated by charcoal grills. It was helpful learning about the venting. Something I was confused about! I have always been a gas grill guy with my Weber Genesis 330. I am looking for a portable grill for the beach/parks. The Weber Traveler is tempting to purchase but I am now leaning towards the portable charcoal grills. Is there a Weber charcoal you recommend? In particular the Smokey Joe Premium vs the regular Smokey Joe with the ash catcher on the bottom? And I will definitely be getting the chimney starter! Subscribed! Thanks again.

[@antstill_bbq]

The ash catcher being internal is actually what one of the things that persuaded me to purchase the Smokey Joe premium.

[@user-tu5gn8ns7z]

When you said chimney I was like yes…I been cooking on coals since I was a teen and I’m to now and I agree with everything you said. I watched several videos that all the comments was more about race and not bbq. I truly appreciate your video. You spitting knowledge and not anything else. Race or culture has nothing to do with science. Keep up the good content.

[@PaulrB1968]

Hi, the chimney tip is most helpful, thanks

[@antstill_bbq]

That's great to hear Paul! I literally start like 90 percent of my fires with a good ole chimney.

[@jacobmcmahan6227]

Great vid. For me grilling is like fishing Patience and attention to detail

[@antstill_bbq]

Exactly. 😎

[@howtoairbnb8239]

New SUB here!

[@carolynqueen157]

Very helpful. Not waiting for my charcoal to turn gay. Thank you

[@lawrencef.johnson8101]

Have you thought about getting a ceramic kamado-style grill? I suspect you'd do very well with one of those!

[@antstill_bbq]

I need to get one. I’m being cheap though. And they’re kinda pricey!

[@Timotheusism]

Some stopwatch brother does it talk back to you 🤣🤣🤣? All jokes aside I'm starting to learn how to grill. Usually for your ribs isn't it 5 to 5 hours? What about Chicken? Please give me some details. Thanks for giving some good instructions and I look forward to receiving more recipes take care and stay safe.

[@antstill_bbq]

Gotta love a smartwatch 😎. For the ribs I usually do 2.5-3 hours at 300°or so. Same with my chicken

[@JS-te4gz]

How do you get rid of got coals after a picnic in a park? No time to let them cool 48hrs

[@DT-hy6px]

I made every mistake bro. Thank you.

[@antstill_bbq]

Don’t feel bad so did I lol.

[@adrianr8486]

I'm using a dome grill fromm walmart and the bottom lever for airflow is broken. Also I have no way of measuring the temp. That's just great for Easter cook out.

[@antstill_bbq]

Oh no. Time for a new grill lol.

[@doughumbarger8489]

The big challenge for me it the adjusting of the top and bottom vents.

[@antstill_bbq]

Yeah it’s a bit of an art to find the right adjustments.

[@SAUCE206]

“If most of them are still black then you’re not ready to go.” Me smoking perfect pulled pork with the snake method

[@williewalkerjr8212]

My mistake was not waiting for charcoal too grey thanks for the tips bro

[@antstill_bbq]

No problem. Yeah that’s when you know they’re ready

[@jamescotton6605]

mine was that as well

[@phildimopoulos6010]

odd question... but if I use crumpled newspaper at the bottom of my chimney, and it burns out within 3-4 mins, is that ok? can I just let the charcoal keep burning in the chimney at that point and they'll just get themselves hotter (and ashed over)? or should I use something at the bottom that will burn for a longer amount of time?

[@antstill_bbq]

As long It lights the charcoal then you’re good.

[@Jimmy_Jim_Jim_1234]

I just got the mini grill like yours and made mistake #2.

[@412Lawn]

Excellent video for a noob charcoal cooker such as myself. Do you have a gas grill as well or do you just use charcoal?

[@antstill_bbq]

Solely charcoal for me!

[@MatthewSmith-uf6tr]

@@antstill_bbq I just went and bought one because of you, thanks dude

[@gpotter1575]

Say Bruh, I would recommend lighting the lighter starter item product away from the smoker if possible.👍🏾💯✌️

[@maggie4989]

the airflow ... that was helpful. so, more airflow, more heat?

[@antstill_bbq]

Correct! More airflow will equal a higher temp.

[@t.c.5456]

❤

[@howtoairbnb8239]

I BBQ'd last night with charcoal for the second time in my life. It turned out great. I hear a lot of people saying not to use lighter fluid and to absolutely wait until the coals are white. Why do people preach this and does it matter? Thanks.

[@antstill_bbq]

Lighter fluid because of the taste that can pass on to the food. The coals should be grayed over/almost white because that’s when they’re the hottest.

[@jeremyelliott9831]

Awe man, I love the silly title of this video. Got to do “this one easy trick that Weber doesn’t want you to know about”.