Grilling food on a new BBQ and relaxing on your Lifestyle garden furniture with friends is a fantastic way to enjoy the summer.
Of course, this depends on knowing how to use your BBQ safely. Luckily, this is something that anyone can learn to do.
The first BBQ safety step is to make sure you light it in a spot away from a fence or trees. That will limit the risk of fire, but you should have water or an extinguisher handy, just in case. The second key point to remember is that the charcoal used should be of high quality. Coppiced wood is a great choice for easy burning.
Using a tubular chimney starter is the next point to remember. Not only does this reduce the amount of paper needed to get the coals burning, but it will also stop the fire from blowing out of control if the wind gets up. Put the coals in a stack and then insert paper or other firelighters between them in little balls if you do not own one of these starters. Avoid adding too many, as once a few coals catch fire, the others will follow.
Next, you need to be aware of when the coals are ready for putting food on. Using a thermometer can help you with that, but there are also clear visual indicators. For food that needs direct heat, wait until they are white, and the centres are red. For indirect heat, they should be white and ashy in texture.
To upgrade your BBQ this summer, visit Burleydam Garden Centre to explore our range of options.
