The number 1 rule is to NEVER EVER USE GASOLINE TO START ANY TYPE OF FIRE!

There are two tried and true methods for lighting a charcoal fire properly:

1. The first is by using a good lighter fluid - a petroleum based product. With this method, first lay the charcoal out in a flat manner so that all the charcoal can be well-coated with lighter fluid. Then stack the charcoal into a pyramid and coat with fluid once or twice more. After allowing about a minute for the fluid to penetrate the charcoal, light the bottom of the stack and allow it to burn for about 30 to 45 minutes. This will allow for the petroleum vapors and any petroleum by-products from the fluid to burn off, and for the charcoal to develop a light coating of gray ash on it - you will then have a sufficiently constant temperature to work with. Now you are ready to begin cooking.
2. With the second method, you build a FIRE CHIMNEY. This is easy, fast and eliminates the use of petroleum-based lighter fluid. The chimney is a round cylinder where you can place wadded up newspaper in the bottom and then the charcoal on top. Simply light the newspaper and let it go. In about 20 minutes – or even less, you will have the red hot, glowing charcoal from the chimney to work with. This method uses the draft from the bottom to fan the heat up the chimney. You can either use a large coffee can with both ends removed or buy one of these heavy duty chimneys with a handle which will last for many years. When the coals are ready, carefully pour them into the grill body and you should be ready to start cooking. You can handle the chimney with asbestos gloves or strong tongs, but at all times, use caution to avoid burns.