With the warm weather here to stay, Brits are embracing the beginning of barbecue season. A favourite pastime for families across the country, there’s nothing quite like the sound of sizzling sausages.
However, many don’t realise that a few common mistakes could be downgrading their barbecue experience. Thankfully, the consumer experts at Which? have shared the “five things you should never do when you BBQ.”
In a viral post on TikTok, @whichuk advised: “Take a look at this before you fire up your BBQ!” In the video, the pros explained why it’s recommended to avoid certain mistakes.
Which? said: “Never press down on your burgers as this just forces all the juices out of the patties. Not only will it make the cleaning process difficult, it also means you’ll lose loads of moisture and flavour.”
The experts continued: “Never spread coals across the barbecue. Only burning in one area means you can use the other bit as a warming rack. Or, if you have a hood, an area to roast or bake your food. Even if you need to use the whole grill to cook, group the coal first when you light as this will light easier.”
They also said you should never light a barbecue with ash in the bottom or operate one without using the vents. “A build-up of ash can disrupt airflow to the coals and make it harder for them to stay lit,” they explained.
“So get rid of it after every use. Once your coals are lit, keep the vents open. This will let oxygen flow through and get it going quicker. Then, once the coals are ready to cook over, burning through and white, you can shut the vents.”
The pros added: “Never put off cleaning the grill. You’re best off cleaning straight after it’s cooled down, either with rubber gloves and a brush with steel bristles or a ball of kitchen foil works. Oven cleaner works well, as down warm water and vinegar too.” However, it’s recommended to check if any cleaning products or methods might invalidate your warranty first.
Sharing a fifth and final tip, the experts concluded: “Never leave the grill wet after cleaning it because it can cause rust to build up. Just give it a wipe with a lint-free cloth to dry it.” As the pros pointed out, you can also use the cloth to buff the outside of the barbecue.
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