The one BBQ mistake everyone makes that makes - and how to correctly use them

If you’re tackling barbecue duties this summer, there are some things you can do to make sure your grilling goes smoothly. Consumer site Which? shared five handy tips to keep in your brain before you light up your grill.

In a video uploaded to its Instagram page, Which? offered some advice for avoiding mistakes which could see your barbecue become incredibly smoky. Oh, and there’s a top cleaning tip too for people to keep their grills in tip-top shape.

To avoid a barrage of smoke, it’s important to remember to light your grill properly and safely. You should always double check there’s no unwanted ash or items left under the metal grate before you attempt to light the coals.

Never light a barbecue with ash

First up, you should never light your barbecue when there’s ash at the bottom of the bowl - or without using a vent. Which? explained in its video: “A build-up of ash can disrupt airflow to the coals and make it harder for them to stay lit, so get rid of it after every use.

“Once your coals are lit, keep the vents open. This will let oxygen flow through and get it going quicker. Then once the coals are ready to cook over, burning through and white, you can shut the vents.”

Don’t press your burgers

Although it can be tempting to act like a professional chef, by pressing down on your burgers, it can lead to the meat juices out of the patties. The juices will make the grill harder to clean, you’ll also be sacrificing some key flavour components and moisture.

Never spread the coals

While you may think that spreading coals means more heat will cover a larger surface area when cooking, by keeping them in one place, it saves space for other methods of cooking. The spare space can be used to keep your food warm.

Or if your barbecue has a lid or hood, you can use the space roast or bake other goods. You’ll be a barbecue master in no time.

Which? recommended keeping the coals together in a group when lighting them as it will make it easier for them to catch alight before you start grilling.

Cleaning the grill

It may be tempting to put off cleaning the grill for a day or so, but if you do, it may make removing any leftover grease and residue harder. Which? recommended cleaning your barbecue straight after it’s cooled down.

You can use a brush with steel bristles, or even a ball of kitchen foil. If you don’t have oven cleaner to hand, you can use warm water and vinegar to remove any tough stains. Just be mindful of any cleaning products that may invalid your warranty.

Never leave the grill wet

After you’ve scrubbed and shined your barbecue’s grill, Which? warned never to leave the metal grate wet. If you leave the grill wet it can increase the risk of rust building up on the metal.

To make sure the grill is properly dry, all you need to do is give it a wipe with a lint-free cloth cloth. The cloth can also be doubled as a buffer to polish the outside of your barbecue, too.