Author: janet ashby | Total views: 68 Comments: 0
Word Count: 724 Date: Sat, 28 Feb 2009 8:16 PM

How to Barbecue - a Guide for Beginners

If you are a beginner then you will need some guidelines on how to barbecue and which type of barbecue to purchase. When purchasing your first barbecue the choice is between a traditional charcoal barbecue or a more modern barbecue powered by gas. Charcoal barbecues are cheaper and many people prefer this traditional choice but they are harder to light and to control the temperature. Gas powered barbecues are more expensive, light instantly and have good temperature control.

Charcoal Barbecues

Charcoal barbecues are simply metal, fireproof bowls in which charcoal is placed under a cooking grill. The grill may be adjustable and there may be adjustable vents in the bowl. When using a charcoal barbecue please make sure that the charcoal comes from a sustainable source. Over 97% of the charcoal sold at present does not and often comes from tropical rainforests which are increasingly endangered.

Gas Barbecues

Gas barbecues may be powered by propane or natural gas. They are easy to light, usually by just pushing a button, and may have up to four burners and often side burners for boiling and warming sauces etc. The cooking system may be angled steel bars or lava rocks on the bottom of the cooking compartment. Angled bars are preferable as they can prevent the juice that falls from the food onto the bottom of the compartment pooling and causing flareups. Instead the juices are vaporized and the smoke rises through the food to give it a better flavor.

Successful Barbecue Tips

1. Charcoal is ready to use when it is glowing red inside a grey on the outside.
2. Ensure that the cooking rack is hot before you add any food. Place the food in the middle of the grill to sear it and turn it. Food will initially stick to the rack but will be removable once it is seared.
3. Place food that is quick to cook in the middle of the cooking area over a medium heat. This includes fish and vegetables. For slower cooking foods, poultry and meat for example, sear first in the middle where it is hottest then move to the sides to cook more slowly.
4. Make sure the food is cooked all the way through. If in doubt use a meat thermometer.

Barbecue Flavoring

The unique, smoky flavor of barbecued food comes from smoke that is released by the juices that fall into the corals or the burners. You can improve this flavor by using glazes or marinades on your food. Barbecue recipe often use marinades, not so much to tenderize the meat, but to add to the flavor. Marinades often contain lime juice, wine or yogurt which break down the proteins, flavorings and oils to keep the food moist during cooking. Marinades for fish or vegetables do not need tenderizers.

Barbecue Safety

Food poisoning from barbecue food occurs much too often and can easily be avoided with some care and knowledge. In warm temperatures bacteria flourish and if you leave uncooked food around on a hot day you are inviting trouble. Poultry often contains salmonella and campylobacter and meat may contain E. coli. The numbers of these bacteria can easily double in less than 30 minutes on a hot day. It is also very easy to contaminate already cooked food if you place it next to uncooked food or use the same utensils.

Safety Guidelines

1. Always completely defrost fish poultry and meat, either in the refrigerator or in a microwave. It is not a good idea to slowly defrost at room temperature as bacteria can grow on the defrosted edges while the rest is still defrosting.
2. Do not allow raw food to come into contact with cooked food or use the same work surfaces or utensils for both without washing thoroughly first.
3. Ensure all food is called thoroughly all the way through. Chicken, burgers, meat, turkey etc. should be cooked until the inside is hot and not pink. You could use a meat thermometer to make sure of this.

Conclusion

Choose a barbecue that suits your budget and preferences, make sure you follow the safety guidelines and your family and friends will enjoy a very successful barbecue!