April 28th, 2023 by Shauna Hammond

With the approach of the milder weather comes more opportunities to spend time relaxing in our gardens and there is no bigger staple of outdoor relaxation than barbecuing! Grilling is a great way to spend time4 with friends and family but it's also an easy way to get creative with cooking! Whether you're cooking steak, chicken or delicious veggies here are some tips that will help you make the best barbecue ever:

Learn About the Different Kinds of BBQs.

When you're ready to get serious about barbecuing, it's important that you know what kinds of BBQs are out there. You should also be aware of the pros and cons of each type so that you can choose the right one for your needs.

Charcoal Grills: These are probably the most common type of barbecue available today. They come in all shapes and sizes, from small tabletop models to compact models with wheels so they can easily be moved around the yard or deck space where they'll be used, up to larger commercial options designed for use by restaurants with full-time chefs on staff who need something bigger than what would fit under most people's kitchen stoves! Charcoal grills have the added benefit of reaching higher temperatures than gas grills, and this can give food a smokier taste while also making meat much juicier!

Gas Grills: These are similar in the design concept to charcoal grills but instead run off propane tanks rather than wood fuel sources like lump charcoal or briquettes (which aren't actually made from actual briquettes). The advantage here is that there's no need for a lighter fluid--you just turn on some knobs and wait until everything gets hot enough before putting food down inside! Gas BBQs also have the advantage of being easier to clean, and faster cooking times and gas also removes the issue of smoke, unlike charcoal grills.

Before You Start Cooking

To make the most of your BBQ and ensure that your food is so delicious friends and family will be begging for you to always be in charge of the grill – then you need to ensure your grill is prepped and ready to go too!

Start with a clean grill

A dirty grill not only affects the taste of your food, but it can also be a safety hazard. Before you start cooking, make sure your grill is clean. Remove any leftover food, ash, and debris from the grates and burner area. A clean grill will ensure that your food cooks evenly and prevents flare-ups.

Preheat your grill

Before you start cooking, preheat your grill to the desired temperature. This will ensure that your food cooks evenly and prevents sticking. Allow the grill to heat up for at least 15-20 minutes before adding your food.

Keep the lid closed

One of the most common mistakes people make when BBQing is opening the lid too often. Every time you open the lid, you lose heat, which can affect the cooking time and temperature of your food. Keep the lid closed as much as possible, and only open it to flip or move your food.

Preparing Your Ingredients.

Not only Is getting your grill prepped important but you need to make sure you are choosing the right ingredients too! When you're selecting the right meat for your barbecue, it's important to know what cuts are best for grilling and how to prepare them. Here are some tips:

Leaner cuts of beef are better for grilling because they don't have as much fat as other types of meat. You may also want to marinate these cuts before cooking them on the grill, which helps tenderize tough muscles and makes them more flavourful.

Tougher cuts like brisket benefit from being marinated in a spicy blend of spices like chilli powder and paprika before hitting the heat--this will help break down their fibres so they absorb less smoke flavour during cooking time! If you don't have time for this step but still want something flavourful, try adding some hot sauce after taking off the heat (just remember not too much!).

Know your cuts of meat and their best uses.

Steak: steak is a cut of meat from the rear leg of a cow, usually taken from the bottom round or sirloin.

Ribeye: this cut comes from the rib cage of a steer, and it's known for being tender and flavourful.

Sirloin: this is one of the most popular cuts because it's leaner than other steaks but has plenty of flavour on its own.

Flank steak: this tender cut comes from under your cow's belly area--it's best served rare or medium-rare since overcooking will dry it out quickly!

Skirt steak: this long strip runs along both sides of its backbone (or spine) before tapering towards its tail end; it can be cooked on either side depending on how chewy or tender you want yours to be!

Choose your marinade wisely.

Marinades are a great way to add flavour to your meats and can be made from a variety of ingredients. They can also be used as a marinade or basting sauce, depending on how long you leave it on the meat before cooking. The longer you marinate, the more flavour will transfer into your food--but make sure not to overdo it!

Once you've chosen your marinade, here are some tips for using them:

Make sure all surfaces of your meat (top and bottom) are coated in the sauce before cooking; this ensures even distribution throughout each bite.

Make sure not to overdo it with too much sauce when applying directly onto raw chicken or other meats; this could cause bacteria growth during storage if left unrefrigerated for an extended period of time

Make sure to season your food with salt and pepper before grilling it. Salt and pepper are the two most important ingredients for seasoning food.

Do not use oil or butter to season meat--it will burn and smoke up your grill!

Experiment with flavours

BBQ is all about experimenting with different flavours. Try adding different types of wood chips to your charcoal or smoking your meat with different seasonings. The possibilities are endless, and the more you experiment, the more you'll discover what you like best.

Use A Meat Thermometer

A meat thermometer is a must when cooking on the grill. It's important to use one because it allows you to cook your meat safely and accurately so that you know when it has reached the right temperature.

Insert the tip of the thermometer into the thickest part of your meat, being careful not to touch bone or fat (which can give an inaccurate reading). If using an instant-read digital thermometer, take note of how long it takes for it to reach its final reading; if using an oven-safe probe attached to a wire display unit with buttons for setting different temperatures, follow instructions for setting those temperatures before inserting it into the meat.

Let your meat rest

After you've finished cooking your meat, let it rest for a few minutes before slicing it. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more flavourful and tender meat.

So, there you have it just a few tips for use here at MYLEK to host the perfect BBQ! The most important of all though is it have fun and don’t be scared to experiment – after all the best part of barbecuing is the time you get to spend with friends and family so make the most of every moment!

MYLEK Large Charcoal BBQ Grill with Accessories

Price: £77.99

Buy Now