BBQ - I'm an amateur

[pitstopbunny]

I am a single girl, but still want to enjoy the occassional BBQ. I have seen a little table top one for �3, which is ample big enough for me & my dog! But, I have no idea how to light it, what is best to use & how do I get it to stay alight ? Any useful tips would be appreciated.

[Thunderbird+]

Hi pitstopbunny, Getting lighted is a bit of an aquired knack but after a while you will get the hang of it and will feel very proud of yourself!
Before putting the charcoal on put plenty of kindling down first to give you a head start, I find shredded paper very useful, screwit up then fluff it up to leave plenty of air spaces inbetween. some thin splintered wood will catch easily too. Put only a little charcoal over the kindling at first, til you feel sure it's started to catch, fanning with a piece of cardboard to cause a draught will help, facing the oppening into the wind helps too.
Gradually add more charcoal, you will notice lots of whte smoke at first but dont worry this will soon pass.
When it's burnt down to glowing embers with a white ash and no more smoke, thats perfect to start cooking on.
Personally, I avoid using fire lighters or flamerble fluids as it taints the food and the smell quickly gets rid of my appetite.
Fatty things like burgers and sausages tend to drip on the coals and it can get a little smokey but if you can cook a corn cob without burning it or a steak thats Not only suitable tor resole your boots then you've done good!
Good Luck Tbird+

[pitstopbunny]

Thank you for that very comprehensive answer, I am going to get the BBQ tomorrow, & if the weather stays nice , then I will attempt my first BBQ!!

[WendyS]

There's another alternative to a barbeque, which is faster and much less messy. Have you seen the little portable single gas ring cookers which operate with a gas canister and come in their own carrying case? They sell in Milletts and camping type shops for around �15 and all you need is a griddle or frying pan. Then you can cook burgers, chops, steaks etc almost instantly on your griddle and there's no messy charcoal to clean up afterwards. For easy outdoor cooking I reckon this beats barbequing any day because the food tastes better when griddled over the heat, and doesn't get that horrible "smoked to death" taste.

[pitstopbunny]

My budget is �5 max, I was going to buy a disposible BBQ, then saw this one for �3, plus �2 for charcoal will cover me for a few BBQ's I reckon

[carrust]

A hot-air stripper is a device for stripping paint. It's like a very hot hair dryer. It's also very good for lighting open fires.

[pitstopbunny]

lol, I don't use a hair dryer, much less strip paint!

[mrknowall]

Ive got some spare cash i will take you out for a BBQ meal you can bring your dog LOL