Few things are as quintessentially British as the great summer BBQ! In fact, heading out to the supermarket in the early morning to stock up on supplies is one of the best feelings of the season. But how do you ensure that your BBQ is one to remember for all the right reasons? Here are five tips that will guarantee that your BBQ is a roaring success.
Keep it clean
If you grill your meat on a dirty BBQ, it will almost certainly burn. What’s more, cooking lunch for your friends and family on a dirty grill isn’t particularly hygienic. So, keep your BBQ clean throughout the year and check it before firing it up in the summer. There’s very little point in spending a lot of money on a new grill if you don’t look after it, so make an effort to keep it sparkling this year.
Prepare your meat in advance
So many people forget to prepare their meat in advance. But in reality, precooking your meat will save you so much time and effort when it comes to the BBQ itself. It also rules out food poisoning as you can ensure that your meat is cooked to perfection. We’d recommend oven-cooking your sausages and burgers and keeping them covered at the side of your grill. You can then finish them off by grilling them, which allows you to spend more time socialising with your friends and family.
Know how to check for doneness
How the meat is cooked will make or break your BBQ. But how do you know if your meat is cooked to perfection? The best way is to invest in a meat thermometer, which you can use to check that your food is at the right temperature before serving it to your guests. As a rule, meat should be at least 75C before it’s safe to eat. While some people cut into their meat to check it for doneness, this actually dries it out, as all of the juices will run out onto the grill!
Cover all bases
If your BBQ is going to stand out, you need to try and cover all bases. Buy the best quality meat you can and ensure your salad and bread options are fresh. You should also cater to any vegetarians and vegans that attend the party. Veggie skewers and halloumi burgers are often much loved by all guests, not just by those who don’t eat meat. Last but not least, stock up on some delicious summer beverages and ensure your BBQ event is truly special.
Use the right fuel
It stands to reason that a BBQ is only as good as the fuel that you use to prepare your meat. Stocking up on Homefire’s BBQ Essentials is a decent starting point, and you can choose from the likes of Instant Light Charcoal and BBQ charcoal Briquettes. You should also make sure you have some firelighters to get things underway without delay, as this is often one of the most challenging things about any summer BBQ.
We hope you now have all the information you need to ensure your next BBQ event is a resounding success. After all, there is nothing better than inviting your nearest and dearest round for an afternoon of sun, great food, and enjoyable conversation.
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