The time it takes for charcoal to heat up can vary depending on various factors, including the type and quality of charcoal, the method of ignition, and the environmental conditions. In general, it usually takes about 10 to 20 minutes for charcoal to reach the desired cooking temperature for grilling purposes.
If you're using charcoal briquettes, they typically heat up faster than lump charcoal because they are more uniform in size and density, allowing for more consistent and controlled heating. Lump charcoal, on the other hand, may take a bit longer to reach the desired temperature due to its irregular shapes and sizes.
To speed up the heating process, you can use a chimney starter, which is a metal cylinder designed to ignite charcoal quickly and efficiently. By placing charcoal in the chimney starter and lighting it from the bottom, you can expect the coals to be ready within 10 to 15 minutes.
It's important to note that these are just general estimates, and the actual time may vary. It's always a good idea to keep an eye on the charcoal and wait until it has ashed over or developed a glowing, grayish appearance before starting to cook. This indicates that the coals are fully ignited and ready for grilling.