June 5th, 2023 by Shauna Hammond

Summer is just around the corner and with it comes long summer evenings spent in the garden, trips to the coast, camping trips and most importantly BBQ season! There is nothing that brings family and friends together better than sharing delicious food, whether you are enjoying it in the comfort of your garden or out and about on a beach trip Barbecues are a staple of the British summer. In this blog, we will discuss some tips on making the most of your grilling time so whether you’re marking delicious veggies, chicken or juicy burgers you can ensure they are delicious every time!

The Different Types

BBQs come in a wide range of types and styles, so it is a good idea to figure out which types best suit your needs and cooking style. You should be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of each style to better understand which grill is the right one for you, so let’s take some time to look at the most popular types of BBQ grills available.

Gas Grills

Gas grills are usually larger in size, and tend to run at slightly high initial costs, they run on propane tanks. Gas grills are incredibly convenient and are a popular choice thanks to their versatility, temperature control and easy ignition. Gas grills are a fantastic choice for those who have frequent BBQs at home, however, they are not the best option for those who are looking for portability due to their larger size and need for large propane tanks. However, cooking on gas grills can be a lot easier for those just getting used to barbecuing since you have better control over the cooking temperature it also removes the issue of excess smoke.

Charcoal Grills

These are probably the most popular grill type and there is good reason why. They come in a wide range of sizes and styles and use coal and lighter fluid to create a strong flame, this has the disadvantage of not being able to control the temperature as easily as you can with gas, however, they arguably provide that signature Smokey BBQ taste better than a gas grill can and due to the higher temperature can make meat much juicier.  Due to them not requiring propane tanks, these types of grills are much more portable so they are a great choice for those who enjoy taking their BBQ out and about to enjoy a delicious meal while camping, at the beach or anywhere else for that matter!  

Portable Grills

These types of grills are another popular one-time use option, they have the benefit of being almost completely flat and very small in size making them a great choice for those planning an outing to the coast or camping, these usually use charcoal as fuel and as mentioned these are designed to be thrown away after use, this makes them a good choice for those who do not want to commit to a full BBQ – however, their small size and limited fuel means they are only suitable for very small groups.

Getting Ready to Cook

Now that we have gotten o grips with the different kinds of BBQ available, let’s move on to some handy tips that will make sure you’re BBQ will be delicious every time and friends and family coming back for more time and time again!

Always Make Sure Grill Is Clean

The first and foremost is to make sure that your grill is always clean, although this may seem like a given it is still worth mentioning since it can be a health hazard and affect the taste of your food greatly. It is important that you remove any old food, ash and debris to avoid contaminating your food and to ensure that food is cooked evenly.

Preheat your grill

We know it can be tempting to light up your grill and immediately get to cooking but it is very important you let the grill preheat first to ensure food cooks evenly the whole way through and it will also stop any food from getting stuck to the grill, which will make cleaning harder. It is recommended to let your grill heat up for around 20 minutes before you begin cooking.

Close the Lid

Just like with an oven, it is important that you do not open the lid too often as this will make you lose heat which will take food much longer to cook, and prevent it from cooking evenly – instead only open your grill to flip and move food.

Have Your Ingredients Ready

Once you have your grill ready it is time to get your ingredients all set up, make sure any meat is readily seasoned and set to cook, and have your food prepared for which order you would like them cooked, putting those that take longer on first. Making sure to pick the right kind of meats for your grill preference is important but some meats are better suited to being grilled than others – let’s take a look at some of the best cuts:

·        Ribeye - this cut comes from the rib cage of a steer, and it's known for being tender and flavourful.

·        Sirloin - this is one of the most popular cuts because it's leaner than other steaks but has plenty of flavour on its own.

·        Flank steak - this tender cut comes from under your cow's belly area--it's best served rare or medium-rare since overcooking will dry it out quickly!

·        Skirt steak - this long strip runs along both sides of its backbone (or spine) before tapering towards its tail end; it can be cooked on either side depending on how chewy or tender you want yours to be!

·        Chicken – Chicken is a BBQ favourite and most cuts will work so whether you prefer breast, drumstick or wings all of them will taste great!

·        Sausages – Another popular choice for making delicious juicy hotdogs, they also cook relatively quickly so they are a great way to start a BBQ while waiting for items such as chicken that takes longer to cook

·        Burgers – You can’t have a BBQ without a burger! Any kind of burger will work but try to choose high-quality ground beef with a high-fat content to ensure they are juicy and flavourful.

Choose the Right Marinades to Enhance Flavour

Marinades are a fantastic way to up your BBQ game to the next level and extra flavour to your food - remember the longer you leave your food to marinade the more flavourful the taste will be, if you can’t leave it overnight at least try to start marinating your food a few hours before your BBQ is set to begin. Try to have a range of flavours so you can suit everyone’s tastes, including something spicy, something smoky and something sweet to cover all your bases!

After choosing your marinade, make sure that you fully cover all your meat both top and bottom and ensure there is an even layer all over so that evet bite is as delicious as the last.

Make sure to season your food with salt and pepper before grilling it. Salt and pepper are the two most important ingredients for seasoning food.

Do not use oil or butter to season meat--it will burn and smoke up your grill!

We hope that this blog was helpful in setting you up for a season of delicious BBQs, just remember to pick the right cuts of meat and don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavours and marinades and remember to let your meat rest before serving it up!