BBQ Basics

Summer is the perfect season for firing up the grill and gathering friends and family for a BBQ. Whether you’re a seasoned grill master or a newbie, having everything ready for the moment you fire up the grill will make sure everyone has a great time and stays safe.

Check out our top tips to get everyone BBQueuing for seconds:

Plan ahead

Choose the right spot

• Keeping the BBQ in a safe open and space away from things that can catch fire will make sure it’s only the sausages are at risk of getting burned.
• Having a fire extinguisher or a bucket of sand/water will help in an emergency
• Let your neighbours know that you’re going to be having a BBQ just in case they have any clean clothes hanging out to dry.
• If you’re taking your BBQ out to a public space, check you’re allowed to set it up as some areas may not allow BBQing.

Check the Weather

• Checking the weather beforehand will stop your event from becoming a wash out. Having a backup plan for cooking indoors will help should a surprise rain cloud appear- we are in Wales after all!

Food safety

Proper storage

• Keeping raw meats, poultry, and seafood chilled until it’s time to cook will stop bacteria growing on them.
• Keeping raw foods separate from each other and other foods will also avoid cross-contamination.

Preparation

• Wash your hands thoroughly before handling food.
• Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw and cooked foods.

Cooking temperatures

Use a meat thermometer to ensure meats are cooked to safe temperatures:

• Poultry: 74°C
• Beef, pork, lamb, etc: 63°C with a three-minute rest time
• Fish: 63°C

BBQ safety

Setup

• Positioning your BBQ on a flat, stable surface away from places where people are walking will help avoid any accidents.
• A build-up of grease on your BBQ can cause flash flames. Giving it a good scrub with a wire brush before hand will help protect you and your eyebrows
• Applying soapy water to the hose and connections can help you identify any gas leaks if you’re using a gas grill. Keep an eye out for any bubbles forming.

During cooking

• Always have at least one pair of eyes on the BBQ
• Keep children and pets away from the BBQ.
• Use long-handled tools to avoid burns and splatters when cooking.

Clean up

After cooking

• Allow coals to cool completely before disposing of them, ideally 48 hours. Once cool, wrap them in foil and dispose of them in your waste bin. The foil helps with the mess of the ash and also provides an extra layer of protection from the coals.
• If using a gas BBQ, make sure the gas is turned off once you’re finished cooking.
• Clean the grill grates once everything has cooled down.

Leftovers

• Place leftovers in the fridge within two hours to prevent foodborne illnesses and use within the next 2-4 days.
• Label containers with dates to keep track of freshness.

Hosting a BBQ is all about having a great time with good company. By planning ahead, you can make sure your BBQ is fun for everyone.