Hark HK0537, Owner'S Manual

19

F. 

LIGHTING YOUR FIRE

Lighting your fire directly on the charcoal grates

—  Remember, patience is a virtue! Cooking with charcoal and wood is more complicated than 

using gas but you will get a much better result. Always allow plenty of time to prepare the fire 
prior to cooking.

—  Allow 30-45 minutes for the fire to start properly before cooking. To start a charcoal fire using 

lump charcoal or briquettes, place two or three firelighters on the charcoal grates where you 
plan to build your fire. Then pile the charcoal on top in a pyramid formation.

—  Light the firelighters and let the charcoal burn. Once the coals have a light coating of grey 

ash, you are ready to cook. Do not disturb the coals in this initial lighting process. They will 
not look like they are lighting but you need to wait at least 45 minutes for this to occur.

—  Have the Firebox 

or

 Cooking Chamber door open when you are lighting the fire to allow as 

much air in as possible. 

—  If using wood to start your fire, start off with small pieces that are no longer than 30cm in 

length. Make sure they are dry and able to burn. Light using firelighters or paper and as the 
fire burns add larger pieces of wood to increase the fire.

—  Always wear protective BBQ mitts when lighting your fire.

Lighting your fire using a charcoal starter

—  Fill the charcoal starter with charcoal or briquettes.
—  Place three firelighters on your charcoal grate where you plan to build your fire.
—  Light the firelighters and then place the charcoal starter over the fire.
—  Have the Firebox 

or

 Cooking Chamber door open when you are lighting the fire to allow as 

much air in as possible.

—  Once the coals have a light coating of grey ash you are ready to cook. Do not disturb the coals 

in this initial lighting process.

—  Always wear protective BBQ mitts when lighting your fire.

WARNING

DO NOT USE SMOKER WITHOUT THE ASH TRAY IN PLACE.
DO NOT REMOVE THE ASH TRAY WHILE IT CONTAINS HOT COALS OR HOT ASH.

PLEASE NOTE: One common mistake when using an offset smoker is to build the fire too 

big. The Hark Hickory Pit offset smoker is very efficient and only requires a small fire to 

maintain adequate smoking temperatures. The unit only needs a few handfuls of charcoal 

to achieve a consistent smoking temperature. You are better to start the fire small and 

then gradually add fuel as you need it.