How To: BBQ – BBQ Encyclopaedia and Resources

For a rusty enamel or paint BBQ, gently sand down rust spots. Treat with primer and repaint. Vinegar spray with bicarbonate of soda also works well for removing rust. To prevent rust, think about oiling your grill and keeping it covered when not in use.

To clean a dirty BBQ:

1. Get a cleaning kit with gloves, a BBQ brush and scraper, and soapy water
2. Keep the heat on and use a wire brush to clean the grill
3. Clean the grill with an onion, salt and lemons, beer, or vinegar spray
4. Let your BBQ cool. Vacuum up debris. Scrape grease and throw away with absorbent newspaper or cat litter.
5. Remove parts and wash by hand or in the dishwasher
6. Use a sponge and soapy water 
7. Dry parts thoroughly and replace
8. Dry your BBQ’s exterior with a microfibre cloth
9. Treat with oil - Vegetable for the grill, baby for the outside
10. Heat it again to burn off chemicals and debris
11. Cool and cover

Repeat these steps twice a year (or BBQ season) and clean your grill after every use.

Clean grill racks with a wire-bristled brush then soak in soapy water. For the exterior of a stainless steel BBQ, use a specialist spray and a microfiber cloth, working with the steel grain.

To make an oil drum BBQ, start by checking there is nothing inside. If possible (and safe to do so), give it a good burn before use. Once cool, disinfect it with bleach or using a vinegar spray with bicarbonate of soda and a wire brush. Bear in mind; you might want to clean it more if consuming food cooked over it.

Depending on whether you have a steel or enamel BBQ grill, use a wire-bristled or soft-bristled brush. Work along the grooves and bars of your grill to remove any carbon deposits and excess food while the grill is still hot. Remove all grill parts and wash with warm soapy water.

Make sure to dry grill before placing back in your BBQ to avoid rust.

Dust and ashes can build up inside, beneath, and even outside of a grill. There's also grease, grime, old food and fats.

Follow the steps in our How to Clean a BBQ guide and you can get your grill ready for your next BBQ.

For charcoal BBQ, good quality charcoal is essential. These light right away and burn better without tainting the flavour of the food. Simply build charcoal up in a small pyramid at the bottom of your grill bowl and consider using an accelerant (bear in mind, this may affect the flavour of your cooking).

As for gas grills, keep the lid raised while lighting, turn the gas on and press the electric ignition to start. Lower to suit your temperature.

As for electric BBQs, flip the switch on, and it will start heating up right away. Simple as that!

Running out of propane in the middle of a cookout is annoying, especially if it occurs often. Switching to natural gas is more convenient and it can also help you save money in the long run.

If you're looking for the best natural gas BBQ on the market, this guide might be useful. The recommendations are based on general quality, budget, and having a ‘built-in’ option.

When talking about gas BBQ grills, ease-of-use and speed is the name of the game.

The heat is direct and consistent, allowing you to sear with ease. You can also control your cooking temperature more easily than with charcoal.

We think the BillyOh Matrix 3 burner gas BBQ is the best in its class.

This model offers a large workspace with a bottom cabinet built-in for extra storage. With wheels, a thermometer, and a side table, the Matrix is a great portable patio BBQ grill.

Design insights include:

• Independent electronic ignition on each burner
• Bottom cabinet gives you a large storage space with easy access.
• Side burner for increased efficiency when cooking

For larger gardens and patios, the BillyOh Montana Hybrid BBQ is our verdict. It offers premium build quality with real versatility for those who like to switch it up.

This Hybrid grill offers the great taste of charcoal with the convenience of gas all in one grill. If you're going to ask us, this is one of the highest-performance BBQ grills available in the UK!

Charcoal BBQs can reach higher temperatures and sear better. They also are more customisable to play with smoking and ‘classic BBQ’ flavours. On the other hand, gas BBQs are quicker to get started, require less maintenance, can be cheaper over time, and may offer a healthier way of grilling.

If you want to know who has the competitive advantage, this guide will give you the answers you need.

Depending on the type of charcoal BBQ you’re using, build a small mound of charcoal briquettes in the base of your BBQ. Make sure they’re sitting on a quick-to-light material like the bag they came in, newspaper, or even fire starters. Ensure there’s enough room for airflow.

Once lit, allow the charcoal to heat up until white-hot. Replenish and start barbequing as necessary.

Bear in mind that accelerants like lighter fluid, lighting gel, or fire starters may affect the flavour of your food.

Once you’ve built and lit your charcoal fire, cover your BBQ with a lid (where possible) and leave it to heat. Once you have pre-heated your BBQ (anywhere from 15-45 minutes depending on the fire), check the temperature. Remove the lid and transfer food onto the grill rack and cook to your preference.

Depending on your cut of chicken and preference, either apply a dry rub or marinade. Bring out to your charcoal grill in a container. Once you’ve built your charcoal fire and allowed your charcoal BBQ to pre-heat, remove the lid. Transfer chicken straight on to the grill rack.

Either sear and flip or allow to cook through, turning the chicken occasionally. Cook until juices run clear then remove from the grill rack onto plates or a new (clean) dish. You can always test to see if the chicken is barbecued by cutting into the centre.

Bear in mind this will only indicate all pieces are cooked if you barbecue everything together in batches.

• Scrape with a wire brush while still hot
• Use an onion or half a salted lemon and run along the grill rack
• Spitz with vinegar, bicarbonate of soda and water, or even beer and clean
• Remove grill and wash and rinse
• Dry and replace
• Remember to oil your grill ready for next time