Boy Scouts of America

Charcoal Safety

SUMMARY

The day has come to an end and now your next adventure is cooking a cobbler for your evening dessert. Soon, you’ll be ready to light a charcoal fire using your choice of approved Scouting equipment. However, when using charcoal, it is important to keep in mind that chemical fuels are not permitted for use in Scouting activities.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Lighting a charcoal fire without using a liquid or gel accelerant is possible. When you light charcoal in a chimney, it takes less time to prepare your briquettes and is a better way to control your fire output. Here are some tips for lighting your charcoal:

  • Instant lighting charcoal (with or without a chimney)—This is probably the safest and most feasible for a Scout. Simply take a match to your charcoal assembly and watch it come ablaze.
  • Starter cubes (with or without a chimney)—These are small blocks or cubes typically made of oil, wax, or quick-burning wood placed underneath your chimney or within your briquettes.
  • Homemade fire starters (placed under chimney)
    • Cardboard egg cartons/toilet paper tubes/newspaper—Any of these will work as a fire starter. Place your briquettes or newspaper inside the carton slots where the eggs would sit or inside a toilet paper tube. Strike a match and light all corners or edges.
    • Processed corn chips—You read correctly. Processed corn chips are hydrocarbons (which burn) that are stored in fatty oil (which also burn). Much like starter cubes, you place the chips within and around your charcoal for best results and then light.

Fire Safety Reminders

  • Scouts can earn the Firem’n Chit while learning to safely light fires.
  • Follow manufacturer’s product and safety instructions for chimneys.
  • A knowledgeable adult should provide supervision when youth are starting or using fire.
  • Start fires in a safe, outside area.
  • Fires should never be left unattended.
  • Thoroughly extinguish all fires after use.

RESOURCES

Bray Barnes

Director, Global Security Innovative
Strategies

Bray Barnes is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, Silver
Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Learning for Life Distinguished
Service Award. He received the Messengers of Peace Hero award from
the royal family of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and he’s a life member of
the 101st Airborne Association and Vietnam Veterans Association. Barnes
serves as a senior fellow for the Global Federation of Competitiveness
Councils, a nonpartisan network of corporate CEOs, university presidents, and
national laboratory directors. He has also served as a senior executive for the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, leading the first-responder program
and has two U.S. presidential appointments

David Alexander

Managing Member Calje

David Alexander is a Baden-Powell Fellow, Summit Bechtel Reserve philanthropist, and recipient of the Silver Buffalo and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the founder of Caljet, one of the largest independent motor fuels terminals in the U.S. He has served the Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association, Teen Lifeline, and American Heart Association. A triathlete who has completed hundreds of races, Alexander has also mentored the women’s triathlon team at Arizona State University.

Glenn Adams

President, CEO & Managing Director
Stonetex Oil Corp.

Glenn Adams is a recipient of the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the former president of the National Eagle Scout Association and established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. He has more than 40 years of experience in the oil, gas, and energy fields, including serving as a president, owner, and CEO. Adams has also received multiple service awards from the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.