BBQ advice

Readers' Barbecue Tips

We are always grateful to receive readers' barbecue tips, so if you have any bbq related pearls of wisdom, please share them with us. Send your top tips to enquiries@bbq.co.uk, with the subject line "Readers Barbecue Tips".

Below are some of the tips already sent in:

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Some people use exotic wood chips on their barbecue - I take a shortcut and use pure resin.

Adding some frankincense or other tree resin to your barbecue will release plumes of smoke which gives exotic flavour to your meats - it's great for gas bbqs. Try it with lamb!

Tom Coussell

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It's a good idea to have a water spray (like the ones used to spray plants) handy so that you can damp down your barbecue if it gets a bit lively due to
spitting fat etc.

Also, chinese take-away foil dishes are good for cooking things like curried beans because they can just be thrown away afterwards.

Sally Rose

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I bought my husband a must have gadget for his new patio area, a wall mounted bottle opener, now on the wall an arms reach away from the barbecue the chef need not move away from the cooking area!

Juliet Henery

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Ever tried to make toast on a BBQ???
It's not as crazy as it sounds as long as you have a low heat.
Chuck on a few slices of tomato and, yes you've guessed it, put cheese on the topside of the toast and finally add a couple of onions and top with the tomato.....it goes down a treat.....trust me.

DON'T Knock it till you try it, but remember not to have a big heat otherwise your bread will be BLACK!!!!!

Donnie Macdonald

 

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Sprinkle the coals with herbs whilst you're cooking. This gives of a lovely aroma and keeps the flies away.

Lynn Gibbins

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A great idea for a November party is to have an American Thanksgiving Barbie. A whole turkey will barbecue wonderfully well in a large gas barbecue. Serve with barbecued sweetcorn and jacket potatoes. Yum!!

Daev Compton

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If you tie a bunch of herbs such as rosemary, sage, mint, on the outside of your BBQ as it warms up it gives off a lovely aroma.

Lesley Davis

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Plan in advance to make more use of your patio. Have a selection of windbreaks, a gazebo, garden umbrellas etc to ensure optimum use! A patio heater and good lighting is nice for when it is getting cooler, or for the ultimate snowy winter party, imagine snuggling in sheepskins, surrounded by twinkling
lights and candles, feasting on an array of luscious barbecued goodies! It would be so much fun nobody would feel the cold!!

Cornelia Ridler

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Most people know by now that Citronella is very effective at keeping midges at bay but fragranced candles etc can work out very expensive. A cheaper alternative is to buy Citronella essential oil add to water and make your own repellent spray. Just add one drop of Citronella (max) to each litre of water used and then add a clean plant spray or atomizer - glass versions are best as essential oils can rot plastic .
If, like me , you don't like the smell of Citronella, Lavender is a good alternative.

Erica McNeall

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My main tip for a good barbecue is don't let your Dad (who thinks he's the barbecue expert) do the cooking unless you like that 'burnt to a crisp' flavour.

Alix Vale

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Brushing food with vegetable oil helps keep food from sticking to the barbecue

Leave an inch gap between pieces of food and it'll cook evenly

Don't try to cook your food too soon - leave your coals to heat up for 45minutes first.

Use tongs instead of a fork to turn food on the barbecue, a fork will pierce the food and you'll lose the delicious juices.

The best utensils for cleaning a barbecue are a wire brush or crumpled tin foil.

Emily Hutchinson

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When barbecuing light Citronella candles and it keeps all the flies away, especially when eating food.

Janice Hamilton