Check Out Our Summer BBQ Checklist

It’s that time of year again, BBQ season! In fact, it’s actually National BBQ week here in the UK. As the weather gets warmer, more and more Brits are taking to their gardens and firing up the BBQs. In celebration, we’ve put together this BBQ Checklist for those of you eager to fire up the grill and get cooking.

The BBQ 

Haven’t got a BBQ yet? Don’t worry, we’ll help you narrow down your options. There are a few different types of BBQ and these are usually defined by the fuel source and style of the grill. Fuel choices include gas, electric, or coal whereas grill styles include free-standing, portable, and disposable.

Gas grills are perfect for those who don’t want to wait to cook their food. They’re quick to start and heat up to cooking temperature in no time flat. Electric grills are quick to heat like their gas counterparts but do not use an open flame, making them the safer option. Charcoal grills are preferred by those looking for that authentic, smoky flavour though it’s worth noting your grill will take longer to heat up as coal burns at a higher temperature than gas.

BBQ Safety

We’re regularly asked: “can you BBQ on artificial grass?” and we’re delighted to report that the answer is “yes, so long as you take some of the same precautions you would with natural turf”. We actually made an entire blog post about how to BBQ safely on artificial grass but we’ll run you through the basics here:

Make sure to protect the area underneath and around your BBQ using a heat-proof surface such as stacks of bricks or paving slabs. This way your synthetic lawn won’t come into contact with the BBQ or any stray embers. We also recommend using a freestanding BBQ as opposed to a disposable one, so your BBQ is raised from the floor.

The Food

There are lots of options when it comes to BBQing for meat lovers and vegetarians/vegans alike. If you’re catering for a large group you may want to use two BBQs to separate food based on dietary requirements, otherwise, you can just use two separate spaces on the grill. When it comes to meat, your typical BBQ will be home to burgers and sausages, but did you know that you can cook things like steak and lamb cutlets on the BBQ too?

Veggie wise, the world is your oyster (mushroom) as most vegetables cook well on skewers over a BBQ. You may want to watch out for things like tomatoes that could burst in the heat and drip juices onto your grill. Vegetarians can enjoy Portobello mushroom burgers in place of beef patties and will be pleased to know that many imitation meats cook just as well on a BBQ as they would in an oven.

No matter what size your garden is, with the proper safety precautions, you can enjoy a BBQ this summer. Looking away to keep your garden looking vibrant and lush through BBQs, garden parties, and all sorts of summer activities? Visit our faux grass shop today or check out our artificial grass reviews to see what our customers think of our products.