A barbecue grill for cooking food with charcoal fuel or the like is disclosed as including a housing having a lower portion including a rack on which the fuel to be burned is located, and an upper portion having a cooking grill on which food to be cooked is placed. The upper portion is closed in by a cover which includes an adjustable opening for controlling the smoke content of the grill during cooking. A novel fuel igniter is provided on the rack holding the charcoal and is movable between an upright position in which the charcoal is ignited and a second position in which the lighter is protected from drippings from the food being cooked.