NOW summer is fast approaching and the days are getting hotter, many of us will be hoping to fire up the barbecue to enjoy weekend gatherings with our family and friends.
But with that comes the inevitable stress of making sure the BBQ is lit well so that the food is cooked thoroughly and properly, so here's Fabulous' guide for a stress-free and enjoyable barbecue experience - as well as how you can make the best burgers around.
How to light a charcoal BBQ
Lighting a charcoal BBQ has never been easier, thanks to our foolproof step-by-step guide.
First things first, choose your spot wisely – your barbecue should rest on a flat, even surface away from any bushes - and always have bucket of water handy, just in case.
Remove the grill from the cooking device and add a good layer of charcoal to the bottom. Next, scrunch up some old newspaper into balls and place in the pile.
If needed, add a bit more coal to the pile to cover some of the newspaper.
Pour lighting gel over the coals and use long matches or a barbecue lighter to light the barbecue in a number of different places.
Leave the barbecue for about 20 to 30 minutes, or until the coals have turned white.
When the flames have died down and the coals are pale in colour, it's the signal that you are good to go and can add the grill back on to start cooking for your guests.
How to light a gas BBQ
Gas barbecues can be a chef's best friend, as they don't require any additional lighting materials apart from their gas fuel.
That means that compared to charcoal BBQ's, they're much easier to light - as long as you get the process right.
Firstly, open up the lid and the gas cylinder valve. Make sure you've got your controller set to high and wait for a few seconds to make sure that the gas is in the ignition chamber.
Next, press down on the igniter button, and your burner should start immediately.
Now your barbeque should be heating up nicer and ready for you to start cooking up a feast whenever you're ready with the burgers and bangers (you can even prepare them in advance).
How to light an electric BBQ
Lighting an electric barbecue should be the simplest of them all, as you don’t need to use any fuel or any lighting aids.
Simply plug the barbecue into a socket, turn the controller to ‘high’ and just let it heat up for around 25 minutes with the lid.
Honestly, that's it. You'll be ready to cook up a feast in no time at all!
How do you know when food is cooked on a barbecue?
When cooking food on a barbecue you should add oil to the food and not the grill, to prevent it from sticking.
If you have food that cooks at different times to each other, you can stagger adding them to the grill, or create a split level fire, with one side having more coal and being hotter, e.g. for meats.
Flip items as you go to ensure they cook throughout and use different utensils for cooked and raw meat to keep separate.
Don’t press down on your burgers or chicken with a spatula when you are cooking as this will remove the juices.
To test if meat is cooked, you should invest in a thermometer to stick in.
For reference, 50C is usually considered rare, 60C is medium and 70C is well done.
Or do it the old fashioned way by cutting into see if thoroughly cooked and ready to be eaten.
Allow your food to rest for five to ten minutes after cooking so the juices inside can settle. And then tuck in.
How to keep kids safe when using a barbecue
Kids are naturally interested in fire, and accidents happen if they get too close to the barbecue area when they're playing nearby.
Children should always be supervised when a barbecue is lit, and they should be warned about the dangers of getting too close to the cooking area.
If they wish to play in the garden, consider getting an adult to take them to the park so they can be out of harm’s way and work up an appetite for the food.
