The easiest way to start a charcoal fire is with an old coffee can. You put air holes in the bottom, all the way around the bottom of the can, some old newspaper in the can with charcoal on top. It acts like a chimney without all the carcinogens you get in petroleum. Youtube has videos of how to do it.
BTW if you have a problem starting the fire, take an old hair dryer and use it to blow on the coals. You’ll have coals in 3 minutes.
You can also buy a charcoal chimney - your ventilated coffee can, with a handle - at Walmart or a hardware store.
Save your used frying oil in a sqeeze n squirt type bottle. Squirt some oil on the paper when youre putting the layer of crumple wads in. The paper burns longer and gives a more even and faster start to the coals.