We know the sun has us Brits dying to get out into the sun and to light up the grill! But with doing so, we never really seem to take into account the dangers of cooking on the BBQ. So, here’s a little list of things to ‘grill’ before you grill!

Keep control of the fire!

It sounds crazy we know, but you would be surprised by the amount of people who can’t seem to control their fire! This comes, generally, as a result of our inability to start the barbecue in the correct way. We’ll let you in on a little secret… Petrol or lighter fluid is NOT the answer! The safest way we know how to start a charcoal BBQ is to invest in a ‘charcoal chimney,’ which uses newspaper instead of lighter fluids, increasing safety. This also enhances the flavours of your foods as no residue from petroleum based products are left to cook away on your grill.

Clean your grill!

Once your BBQ is blazing to a point where the charcoals are white and glowing (this makes it safe to cook on) you’re ready to get your grub sizzling!! Although, BEWARE! Flare-ups from grease are more than a nuisance and can be potentially lethal! Grease gathers up on your grill over time and it is easy to get a large collection of grease at the bottom of your BBQ after only a few times using it. It is this grease that can easily set on fire and flare up causing all sorts of problems. So, before you even begin to think about lighting up that grill, get the marigolds on and get scrubbing!

Grill position

People say location is everything, and when it comes to placing your grill it genuinely is! Every year, hundreds of people cause damage to their houses, garages, patios or fences because they have it set up in the wrong place. You’ll find the manual will tell you the minimum distances around your unit that must be kept clear. If you don’t have a manual, take a step back, and picture your BBQ with the worst fire possible… This is now the space you should keep clear around your grill! Don’t forget, this extra space is not just to protect your belongings, but also adults, kids and pets!

Alcohol safety!

Of course, you want to enjoy a couple beers (or whatever your tipple is) whilst your outside in the sun but it’s important to remember, alcohol and fire definitely don’t mix well! We needn’t remind you that barbecuing should be done with a clear state of mind, especially when it’s time to get it all together so we recommend laying off the booze until after the barbecue is out and someone else is dealing with the dishes!

I’m sure we could go on for days with the do’s and don’ts of how to run a BBQ, but we don’t see this weather sticking around for too long so we should let you get out there and get grilling. That said, we do recommend you having a quick read over this short barbecue safety advice article from FireService.co.uk | https://www.fireservice.co.uk/safety/barbecue/

Happy grilling!

P.S. – Make sure you wear sun lotion! The only thing that should be sizzling is on the grill!