How to bbq

theone8181 · 11 Jul 2015 at 18:05

Hi guys I'm looking for some advice on bbqing with charcoal. I currently use big k charcoal briquettes and big k lighter cubes, my problem is that the cubes seem to go out after 10 mins or so and the charcoal is maybe 20% grey. I can still cook on it but I wondered if anyone had any advice/tips on why I have this problem.

Cheers

Chris

Glaucus · 11 Jul 2015 at 18:08

Massive thread here with lots of good tips, recipes etc. http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18659597

And spend £10 and get yourself a chimney starter, they make life so much easier. Even lots of supermarkets have them these days
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18659597

Minstadave · 11 Jul 2015 at 18:09

As said, use a chimney lighter to get the charcoal well heated before starting.

What kind of BBQ are you using?

theone8181 · 11 Jul 2015 at 18:40

Errr it's a charcoal bbq, it's not Weber or a good make it was a cheapish one from a garden centre. I might treat myself to one of those chimney.

Minstadave · 11 Jul 2015 at 20:44

You can get them dirt cheap normally from the supermarket. What are you doing with your BBQs vents when cooking?

theone8181 · 12 Jul 2015 at 17:18

The top and bottom are both open all the time, the lid is open when getting the charcoal ready and closed when cooking. I've order a chimney so I'll see how I get on with it.

anything I don't mind · 13 Jul 2015 at 01:07

Easy, buy some decent branded charcoal. Buy some fire lighters. Put charcoal in the bbq. Put fire lighters around the charcoal. Light the fire lighters. Put the grill on to clean it with the flames. Let that sit until all the flames are out and some white charcoal exists. Add some more fire lighters under the coals and move it around a bit. Leave that now and occasionally move the charcoal around. Biggest mistake english people make is putting the food on too early. chicken goes on first and steaks are quick. Have to time it all right as that is the main effort required in bbq the timing and getting right heat.

i never close when cooking and dont use chimney never used one. Just a grill and coal.

Minstadave · 13 Jul 2015 at 08:40

Chimney is great, removes all that fanny around with firelighters and trying to get the charcoal evenly lit.

FrenchTart · 13 Jul 2015 at 09:37

Please ignore anything_I_don't_mind's advice - unless you want to never improve.

A chimney is the first thing to look at as it makes lighting so much less of a pain. Aside from that and the other advice above I wonder if your BBQ has enough vent holes. If you could post up some pics we can comment on it. If it doesn't have enough (which is the case with some cheap BBQs) you can drill a few more to improve it.

anything I don't mind · 13 Jul 2015 at 14:29

Chimney is for noobs. Ive probably cooked on a bbq more times than frenchtart has even seen a bbq.

FrenchTart · 13 Jul 2015 at 14:30

It sure is. You got me.

anything I don't mind · 13 Jul 2015 at 14:37

Didn't know they had bbq up in manchester.

robj20 · 13 Jul 2015 at 14:57

anything I don't mind said:
Didn't know they had bbq up in manchester.

What and they do in London?

Minstadave · 13 Jul 2015 at 15:38

anything I don't mind said:
Chimney is for noobs. Ive probably cooked on a bbq more times than frenchtart has even seen a bbq.

Chimney is for noobs but firelighters aren't? Come on.....

anything I don't mind · 13 Jul 2015 at 16:18

robj20 said:
What and they do in London?

haha

Minstadave said:
Chimney is for noobs but firelighters aren't? Come on.....

firelighters is acceptable but only if you use 2, any more is noob.