If you’re planning a barbecue this summer, there are a few things you can do to make sure everything goes smoothly. Consumer site Which? has shared five useful tips to keep in mind before firing up the grill.
In a video posted to its Instagram page, Which? offered some tips to avoid mistakes that could cause your grill to smoke a lot. Oh, and there’s also a great cleaning tip for people to keep their grills in tip-top condition.
To avoid a wave of smoke, it is important to remember to light your grill properly and safely. You should always check that there are no ashes or unwanted items under the metal grate before attempting to light the coals.
Never light a barbecue with ashes
Firstly, you should never light your barbecue when there are ashes at the bottom of the bowl or without using a vent. Which? explains in its video: “Ash build-up can disrupt the airflow to the coals and make it difficult to keep them burning, so dispose of them after each use.
“Once the coals are lit, keep the vents open. This will allow oxygen to flow and the fire to catch faster. Then, when the coals are ready to burn and white, you can close the vents.”
Don’t put pressure on your burgers
While it may be tempting to act like a professional chef, pressing down on burgers can actually cause the meat juices to leak out of the burgers. The juices will make the grill harder to clean and will also sacrifice some key flavor and moisture components.
Never spread the embers
While you may think that spreading out the coals means there will be more heat over a larger surface when cooking, by keeping them in one place you save space for other cooking methods. The free space can then be used to keep your food warm.
Or if your barbecue has a lid or hood, you can use the space to grill or bake other foods. You’ll be a barbecue master in no time.
Which? recommends keeping the coals together in a group when lighting them, as it will be easier for them to ignite before you start grilling.
Cleaning the grill
It may be tempting to put off cleaning your grill for a day or two, but doing so can make it harder to remove any remaining grease and residue. Which? recommends cleaning your grill immediately after it cools down.
You can use a steel-bristle brush or even a ball of aluminum foil. If you don’t have oven cleaner on hand, you can use warm water and vinegar to remove tough stains. Be careful with cleaning products that may invalidate your warranty.
Never leave the grill wet
After you’ve cleaned and polished your barbecue grill, Which? has warned you to never leave the metal grate wet. Leaving the grill wet can increase the risk of rust building up on the metal.
To ensure that your grill is thoroughly dry, all you need to do is wipe it with a lint-free cloth. The cloth can also be used as a polisher to buff the outside of your grill.
