Any bit of heat or sun will make you want to use the dusty grill you have in storage and have a barbecue. Take the chance and make it simple. We give you some basic tips on how to grill.

 

Grilling

If your fire is just right, you will not need to continuously turn the meat. It just looks fanciful and gives the grill chef something to do while sipping a beer. Put the meat on the grill, once you can see the edges of the meat changing colour turn it and leave it until it is done to your taste.
When grilling chicken or pork, make sure it is well done. Grill chicken with the skin, it will protect the meat from burning.
If you use wooden skewers, soak them for about 20 minutes before adding the meat and vegetables.

Fire

Do not put the meat on a flame. Start the grill and wait until the coals are dusty grey. Don't be tempted to put the meat before that, you'll just end up burning it.
Start the fire as you would in your fireplace, by piling up the coal and once lit spread it out. Fire lighters are ideal and a bit of cardboard or hard twisted paper helps. Do not use petrol or kerosene, it can be a fire hazard and the smell can impregnate the food.
A trick is also to fan the fire, you get the heat up and the coals will light faster. Once lit the shop bought coals should be ready in 15-20 minutes.
Make sure children are never near the fire. Fat or juices dripping from the meat can make the flames flare up suddenly and a sudden wind can direct the fire to any direction.

Sauces

There is nothing wrong with barbecue sauces and marinated meat, but there is also no need. Put the effort into getting or making a sauce on the side. The meat will taste great even without a thing.
Sauces and marinade can also make it harder to grill if you are unused to it. Sauces often have sugar, which burns faster and it often drips onto the coals and the heat you have built up.

Grills

A grill will a lid will cook the food a lot faster than you think. Choose a grill with different levels for the rack, you can then move the rack down when the coal is burning off.
Don't forget your grilling utensils, a normal fork will get your hands burned.

Gas or Charcoal

You might have the intention of grilling often, but this is not Australia. Invest in a gas grill if you love grilling, but a charcoal grill will do any beginner or sporadic barbecue fan.

Vegetables and fish

Vegetables can be done directly on the grill, on a spit or wrapped up in tin foil. With the tin foil wraps you can also add spices or herbs.
You can buy special fish grill baskets that encase the fish and stops it from falling apart, or wrap it in tin foil. Just remember fish needs very little time to cook.