If you've just bought a new barbeque or have never quite managed to perfect cooking outside, then here' what you need to know.
1. Charcoal
Using a good quality charcoal will help you to light and maintain your barbeque every time. If you're using the leftover charcoal from last year, or whatever's left at the garage or supermarket, then you're likely to be missing out on a great barbeque taste and flavour.
2. Stack your charcoal
Placing your charcoal correctly in your BBQ will make a huge difference. In times gone by, fires were made in a pyramid shape, which meant that they burnt well and provided plenty of heat. By stacking your charcoal in a pyramid shape you can make an effective fire, so that your charcoal will heat up quickly and your food will cook evenly.
3. Lighting your barbeque
Firelighters are the preferred choice for lighting a BBQ, as they are easy to manage, and will quickly get your BBQ going. Simply add 3 evenly-spaced firelighters to your pyramid of charcoal, and carefully light them with a match.
4. Wait
You'll need to wait a while for the flames to die down. This can take upwards of 30 minutes, depending on the size of your barbeque and the amount of charcoal you're using. In addition, the firelighters may give off fumes and will make your food taste if you start cooking before the flames have died down. If you're inviting people round or are working to a timescale, then you'll need to light your barbeque at least half an hour in advance.
5. Spread out
Whilst you're waiting for the flames to die down, you might want to spread out the charcoal a bit, to make it easier for cooking. If you need to add more charcoal, add it to the outside, to give it chance to heat up.
6. Ready for cooking
You can start cooking on your BBQ when the charcoal is grey-white in colour and the flames have died down. Depending on how you're cooking you might need to move a grill pan, or put food directly into the coals, and so you'll need to be careful.
7. Cook for long enough
No matter what you're cooking, you'll want to cook it for long enough. Cooking meat on a barbeque needs to be done properly to avoid the risk of undercooked meat which can cause food poisoning, and the risk of spreading germs from raw and cooked meat. Remember to fully thaw meat first before cooking it on your BBQ. Your meat is cooked when it is piping hot in the middle, there is no pink meat visible, and the juices run clear.
8. Right tools for the job
It's a good idea to make sure that you have the right tools and accessories for cooking outside, and that you know how and when to use them. You don't want to discover that you have to move pieces of chicken or sausages with your hands because you haven't got tongs, or you can't flip burgers because you've lost your spatula.
9. Be patient
Although you'll be keen to show your skills when you cook outdoors, it's important that you remain patient, and don't rush things. If you do start cooking before the coals are hot enough, or don't cook your food for long enough you can risk making your friends or family ill, and obviously you don't want that.
10. Enjoy
You should definitely try and enjoy your BBQ, so no matter whether you're in charge of cooking, or eating, you'll want to make the most of your time with your friends and family.
Now you know how to light your barbecue, why not eat outside more often, and see if you can spend more time with your friends and family?
1. Charcoal
Using a good quality charcoal will help you to light and maintain your barbeque every time. If you're using the leftover charcoal from last year, or whatever's left at the garage or supermarket, then you're likely to be missing out on a great barbeque taste and flavour.
2. Stack your charcoal
Placing your charcoal correctly in your BBQ will make a huge difference. In times gone by, fires were made in a pyramid shape, which meant that they burnt well and provided plenty of heat. By stacking your charcoal in a pyramid shape you can make an effective fire, so that your charcoal will heat up quickly and your food will cook evenly.
3. Lighting your barbeque
Firelighters are the preferred choice for lighting a BBQ, as they are easy to manage, and will quickly get your BBQ going. Simply add 3 evenly-spaced firelighters to your pyramid of charcoal, and carefully light them with a match.
4. Wait
You'll need to wait a while for the flames to die down. This can take upwards of 30 minutes, depending on the size of your barbeque and the amount of charcoal you're using. In addition, the firelighters may give off fumes and will make your food taste if you start cooking before the flames have died down. If you're inviting people round or are working to a timescale, then you'll need to light your barbeque at least half an hour in advance.
5. Spread out
Whilst you're waiting for the flames to die down, you might want to spread out the charcoal a bit, to make it easier for cooking. If you need to add more charcoal, add it to the outside, to give it chance to heat up.
6. Ready for cooking
You can start cooking on your BBQ when the charcoal is grey-white in colour and the flames have died down. Depending on how you're cooking you might need to move a grill pan, or put food directly into the coals, and so you'll need to be careful.
7. Cook for long enough
No matter what you're cooking, you'll want to cook it for long enough. Cooking meat on a barbeque needs to be done properly to avoid the risk of undercooked meat which can cause food poisoning, and the risk of spreading germs from raw and cooked meat. Remember to fully thaw meat first before cooking it on your BBQ. Your meat is cooked when it is piping hot in the middle, there is no pink meat visible, and the juices run clear.
8. Right tools for the job
It's a good idea to make sure that you have the right tools and accessories for cooking outside, and that you know how and when to use them. You don't want to discover that you have to move pieces of chicken or sausages with your hands because you haven't got tongs, or you can't flip burgers because you've lost your spatula.
9. Be patient
Although you'll be keen to show your skills when you cook outdoors, it's important that you remain patient, and don't rush things. If you do start cooking before the coals are hot enough, or don't cook your food for long enough you can risk making your friends or family ill, and obviously you don't want that.
10. Enjoy
You should definitely try and enjoy your BBQ, so no matter whether you're in charge of cooking, or eating, you'll want to make the most of your time with your friends and family.
Now you know how to light your barbecue, why not eat outside more often, and see if you can spend more time with your friends and family?
Matthew James is the Ecommerce Manager at IgniteWoodFuels.co.uk, suppliers of a wide range of Charcoal, firelighters, BBQ cooking pellets, Restaurant Charcoal and more, as well as wood fuel for heating. Find out more and buy online today.
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