Top Tips For The Perfect BBQ

When the sun in shining and you have your garden  looking at it’s best it’s the perfect time to host a BBQ. Nothing says summer more then the sound and smell of sizzling meat and vegetables cooking whilst enjoying the full bloom of your plants and flowers in your garden.

Pick the perfect BBQ

Whether it be a disposable and compact one or something thats shows you mean business.  There is a great range available in the Garden Centre so Im sure you will find the perfect one.

Choosing the right fuel

 If you have opted for a charcoal BBQ then this is very important.  For roasting and baking you need a fuel that will burn evenly for a long time and for grilling you want a fuel that burns at a high temperature so you can sear your food quickly to seal in all the delicious juices.

Light the BBQ before your guests arrive

 This will enable you to greet your guests and start cooking as soon as your ready and will allow the charcoal to get to the right temperature.

Be organised around your BBQ

Make sure you have enough work space and tools for when you start cooking ( we have a selection of great BBQ accessories available in store).

Cooking Methods- Grill

Evenly distribute the charcoal across the entire charcoal grate this will provide a high heat for searing smaller cuts of meat. Good for chicken fillets, burgers and steaks,

Roast/Bake 

Place the charcoal on each side of the charcoal grate.  Place an aluminium drip tray in the middle to collect any juices. The meat needs to cook on the flameless part.  Keep the lid on and if you want to add a smokey affect add wood chips directly onto the charcoal. This is a good method for legs of lamb, chicken, beef and much more.

Use Great Ingredients.

use seasonal fruit and vegetables to accompany your meat choice, perhaps any that you have grown yourself from seedlings, it’s a great way to enjoy your hard work of growing them. (We have a great range in stock at this very moment.) Don;t forget you can marinade your meat the day before to add some great tastes.

Lose Fridge Chill

 Always give enough time out of the fridge, at least 20 minutes for raw bbq dishes to lose their chill and be approaching room temperature,  If the meat, chicken fish or vegetable is to cold in the centre, the outside may burn before the insides cooked.

Rest the Meat

 Resting the meat after barbecuing is as essential as part of the barbecuing process.  If you were to eat directly of the bbq  your meat would be tough and the juices would flow out. Leaving it to rest for a few minutes allows the meat sinews to reabsorb the juices.

Cleaning your BBQ

Brush while the grills hot and leave to dry naturally,(be careful not to burn yourself) this saves time and unnecessary wear.

Happy Barbecuing