A
female
age
41-50,
anonymous
writes:This may seem like a lame question but thought may get some good tips here!I am throwing a surprise party at my house and am having to organise everything on my own. The only thing I am a bit confused about is the BBQ as I have never done it before; so I want to get it right and also do not want to hurt myself!!This question is mainly for people in the UK as I am not sure if barbeques are diff in other countries. The one I have is the one that you use charcoals, So I have the barbeque, not sure what sort of charcoals there are or if i need a special one?So please give me some step by step advice on how to go about getting the barbeque going (bearing in mind I am a complete novice and know nothing!) Also I get a bit worried in case I try to light it and burn myself or something somehow if that is possible? And please dont tell me to just get someone else to do it as defeats the object and really I should learn to do these things anyway! Thanks all !!! Reply to this Question
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Fancy yourself as an agony aunt? Add your answer to this question! A
female
reader, Honor +, writes (11 February 2009):
Great advice Uncle Phil ! Stick to this!
A
female
reader, Emilysanswers +, writes (24 September 2008):
BBQ's are far more simple than you think.
Burn stuff and use the heat to cook meat.
Set the fire and get it going, don't cook on the flames as they will just make everything black. Wait till the charcoal is really grey and glowing before you get the meat on there.
You can microwave it first to make sure it's cooked properly and then just finish it off on the BBQ.
You can use any charcoal but try and make sure it is from a sustainable forest.
Never put any flamable fluids like petrol on the BBQ as there was a teenager did that this summer and was left with 3 degree burns and scared for life.
Relax and keep kids and drunk people away from the fire and you will be fine.
Good Luck!! xx
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A
female
reader, eyeswideopen  +, writes (24 September 2008):
 Let's all go over to Uncle Phil's, he knows what's up! To the poster I'd say follow what the Uncle said and don't forget the spray bottle of water, it really is helpful to have. Have a great party!
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (24 September 2008): It's simple enough. There are several types of charcoal, but it really doesn't matter much which one you use. Briquettes are more expensive than lumpwood but burn more evenly and for a longer time. Along with the charcoal, buy some BBQ lighting fluid or gel. Gel is better because it doesn't flare up so much and as such is safer.
Build a pyramid of charcoal giving each layer a squirt of gel. When it's built, squirt a bit more gel over the pile and light it from the bottom. Be patient. Wait for the flames to completely die away and for the charcoal to turn grey. Using a long handled something-or-other, a piece of stick perhaps, spread the charcoal out and if it looks a bit sparse, throw a few more lumps on.
If you're doing chicken, part cook it in the oven before putting it on the barbie, cook it slowly, high up away from the coals then you'll know it's properly cooked and your guests won't end up in hospital with food poisoning. With burgers, read the cooking instructions on the packet. Some you cook from frozen, others you have to thaw out - it depends on the brand.
If the barbie needs perking up a bit, a few sausages will drip fat all over it and get it going. With burgers, keep turning them over so as not to burn them.
Keep a spray bottle of water handy in case of flare-ups and you can pretend you're a firefighter!.
Long-handled tools are essential. B&Q sell them.
Most important: Do not, under any circumstances, pour more lighting fluid or gel onto it after it's been lit - not unless you want to look like one of those cartoon characters that walk away from an explosion with their hair smouldering, blackened from head to foot, with a surprised expression on their face.
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