Charcoal BBQs: Tips and Tricks for Beginners

Have you ever wanted to try outdoor cooking on a charcoal BBQ but felt intimidated by the process? Don't worry! With a few tips and tricks, you can easily master the art of charcoal BBQ cooking. In this post, we'll cover everything you need to know to get started with charcoal BBQs.

Choosing the Right Charcoal BBQ

The first step is to choose the right charcoal BBQ for your needs. There are various types of charcoal BBQs, such as kettle, barrel, and ceramic. Consider factors such as your budget, the size of your outdoor space, and your cooking needs when making your decision. For beginners, a kettle charcoal BBQ is often the easiest to use and most affordable option. We highly recommend the SnS Kettle BBQ, after using the kettle in our cooks for multiple years we strongly believe it’s the best Kettle BBQ on the market. 

Preparing Your Charcoal BBQ

Before you can start cooking on your charcoal BBQ, you need to prepare it. First, make sure you have the right type of charcoal. Lump charcoal is a natural option that burns hotter and faster than briquettes, but it can be more expensive. Briquettes are made from compressed sawdust and burn longer and more consistently than lump charcoal.

To light the charcoal, you can use either a chimney starter or a charcoal starter wand. A chimney starter is the safest and most efficient method, as it requires no chemicals and evenly lights the charcoal. Simply fill the chimney with charcoal, place a fire starter underneath, and light it up. Once the charcoal is glowing, you can pour it into your BBQ.

Cooking on Your Charcoal BBQ

Now that your charcoal BBQ is ready, it's time to start cooking. Charcoal BBQs are great for achieving that classic smoky flavour in your food. You can cook anything from burgers, chicken, pork, and lamb to steaks and vegetables on a charcoal BBQ.

To achieve great flavour, try using wood chips or chunks for smoking. With numerous flavours like cherry, apple or mesquite you can add another dimension of flavour to your food. 

When it comes to cooking times and temperature guidelines, it's best to follow one of our pitmaster-created recipes that you can find in our learning centre. In general, you'll want to cook with the lid on to maintain the heat and smoke. 

Maintenance and Safety Tips

After you've finished cooking, it's important to properly maintain and store your charcoal BBQ. Clean the grates and inside of the BBQ to prevent buildup, and store it in a dry place away from the elements. Also, remember to follow safety tips such as wearing protective gloves and using long-handled tools when handling hot charcoal.

Conclusion

Charcoal BBQs are a great way to add flavour and excitement to your outdoor cooking. By following these tips and tricks, you can easily get started with charcoal BBQs and impress your family and friends with your cooking skills. So, fire up your charcoal BBQ and get ready to enjoy delicious meals with a smoky flavour!

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by: Michael Wilkie