Alex Dalland
Nothing quite matches the taste and texture of a perfectly grilled barbecue meal. While a barbecue can be one of the most versatile ways to cook anything from a tender roast dinner to a crispy bacon and egg roll, it also takes know-how and understanding in order to use your barbecue to its full potential.
Buying a barbecue
When buying a barbecue, size is one of the most important things to consider. If you have a big backyard, an outdoor kitchen with a built-in fridge or sink might make for a great way to cook and entertain at the same time. However, if you live in an apartment and will be cooking on a balcony, a much smaller portable barbecue would be far more suited.
Charcoal or Gas?
As well as thinking about how many people you will be catering for and the space you will be cooking in, it is important to consider whether you’d prefer a charcoal barbecue, heated by briquettes or natural wood charcoal, or a gas barbecue heated with an LPG cylinder or natural gas through a main gas line.
“Gas-fired barbecues are easy to ignite and there are no messy ashes to clean up. However, a charcoal fuelled barbecue will create an authentic barbecue taste and experience.” Bunnings Warehouse National Barbecues buyer Mick Heanue advises.
“To experience the best of both worlds, use a charcoal gas grill which uses gas to light the charcoal,
providing a traditional smoky flavour without the hassle of lighting coals.”
Barbecue cooking technique
What you can cook on a barbecue largely depends on its shape. Flat top barbecues or barbecues which have a flat top plate are best for cooking eggs, bacon, onions and tomatoes. Many people prefer a grill for cooking steaks and hamburgers. A hooded or kettle barbecue is best for roast meat and vegetables.
Cleaning
After the meal is finished, it is important to clean your barbecue in order to maintain flavours and prevent rusting.
“Cleaning your barbecue while it’s still warm will give you a chance to scrub away oil residue and food scraps before they have a chance to harden,” Heanue says. “To get into those stubborn grill areas, use a barbecue cleaning product along with a good wire brush. Once clean, rinse and dry your grills immediately to prevent rusting.”
Specialised barbecue cleaning tools such as the Matador Cleaning range of products can be purchased from Bunnings Warehouse stores. Bunnings sells a range of charcoal and gas barbecues with features such as range hoods, wok burners and rotisseries.
