Fire starters live on the edge. The back yard barbecue bunch regularly disregards safety advice about never, never squirting lighter fluid directly onto warm coals. They must be thinking, "It's the easiest way, and manufacturers have diluted that starter fluid so much in the name of safety."

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Yet the grilling experts say don't do it, no matter if your lighter fluid seems like water. It isn't; a flashback to the can (and your arm) could occur.If coals are slow to start, place several new briquets in a small metal can and apply lighter fluid. With a pair of long-handled tongs, add these briquets to the pyramid of lazy coals at the bottom of the grill and light the new briquets with a match.

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