With longer, brighter days and the promise of warmer evenings, many in the UK are turning their thoughts to alfresco dining. Barbecues remain a popular choice for outdoor entertaining, and a recent survey of enthusiasts has revealed a host of tips and tricks to help elevate the grilling experience, from essential equipment upgrades to innovative cooking techniques and gourmet condiments.
For those looking to invest in new equipment, the Weber kettle barbecue comes highly recommended for its ease of use and consistent results. For budget-conscious consumers, Argos offers an affordable drum-shaped grill that provides excellent value. To get your coals to temperature quickly, a chimney starter is a practical investment, allowing for efficient heating of charcoal. Readers also suggest that investing in restaurant-quality coal, while more expensive, offers a more consistent burn, which can significantly impact cooking results.
Beyond the main grill, several gadgets and tools can enhance your barbecue game. A grilling basket is ideal for delicate items like fish, preventing them from sticking and making flipping effortless. Making your own burgers is another popular tip, allowing for customisation of flavours and ensuring you know exactly what ingredients are used. A grill dome can help achieve perfectly melted cheese on burgers, while dedicated barbecue gloves offer superior protection compared to standard oven mitts. Crucially, a Thermapen is recommended for checking meat temperatures to ensure food is cooked safely.
Flavour is paramount, and readers suggest moving beyond basic sausages. Investing in a barbecue cookbook can provide inspiration for new recipes, with titles like 'Berber & Q', 'The Green Barbecue', and 'Scorched' (focused on fish) cited as favourites. For those less confident in their culinary skills, high-quality condiments can make a significant difference; Ottolenghi's chilli sauce and Sauce Shop and James Cochran's scotch bonnet chilli jam are highlighted as excellent options to add a gourmet touch. Non-alcoholic aperitifs and premium gins are also suggested for enhancing the overall dining experience.
Finally, the often-dreaded cleanup can be simplified. Rather than relying on specific cleaning products, a simple yet effective method involves heating the grill until hot, then rubbing half an onion along the grates with tongs. This natural abrasive action is said to leave the grill sparkling clean. These practical tips aim to make barbecuing more enjoyable and less of a chore for UK households this summer.