Setting up a barbecue

Home:

1. Carefully pick your position, ideally it should be away from a draught or wind.

2. The bbq should be placed on a flat and solid surface, and away from plants and materials which could catch alight.

3. Double check that the barbecue is stable, that the legs, nuts and bolts are tight.

4. Keep the grill clean, otherwise meat tends to stick to grill, therefore, scrape off any remnants from a previous barbecue.

5. If the grill has been in a particularly bad mess, you can also wipe the grill with cooking oil to make doubly sure it wont stick. Otherwise, for soft meats like burgers, they can stick and break up while attempting to turn them.

6. Keep all your tools close at hand, ideally on a small table placed near the barbecue. Do not use the same tool for turning and removing rare and cooked meats.

7. Once your ready to light the charcoal, or power on the gas, make sure young children and pets are at safe distance and under control.

8. If your concerned about what to do if things get out of hands, purchase a fire blanket and have it close to hand.

7. When lighting the charcoal, push the lumps or briquettes into a pyramid. This will allow air to circulate.

7. The barbecue will be ready for cooking once the charcoal has turned ash grey, you can then spread the coals out evenly.