BBQs

There’s nothing better than a BBQ during the summer months (and, if you’re really keen, the later months of Spring too). Here are some tips on how to BBQ safely and like a pro.

Make sure you warm your BBQ up before you start cooking on it, but not too much. If you feel uncomfortable standing close to it, it is too hot. Cook your meat at room temperature rather than straight from the fridge, as this will speed up the process. If you want to season your meat, pat it with a paper towel so that your seasonings stick to it better and form a tasty crust. Check out our mouthwatering BBQ recipes, guaranteed to whet your appetite.

If you’re using a charcoal BBQ, leave plenty of space between the food you’re barbecuing on the grill so oxygen can still reach the coals.

The British weather can be temperamental, so if you choose to barbecue in a garden shelter you must be sure that it is well ventilated and keep any flammable materials well away from your BBQ.

Yes! Anyone can have a BBQ in their garden. There are a few safety tips to consider, like making sure your BBQ is set-up on a flat surface, away from dry or flammable surfaces like sheds or trees, and don’t leave your barbecue unattended. If you’re using a gas BBQ, make sure the tap is turned off before changing the gas cylinder, and for charcoal BBQs never use petrol to light it.

BBQ ash from your burned down charcoal is essentially wood ash, so yes you can use it on your garden to enrich your soil. Wood ash is a rich natural source of potash, which is a potassium-rich salt that can act as a natural soil enhancer or compost. If your charcoal is made of mostly sawdust and wood, which most products here in the UK tend to be, then it’s perfectly safe and even beneficial to use BBQ charcoal in your garden beds