Tuesday 2 June 2015

Why is Cooking with Charcoal so Appealing?

There has long been a debate over which is better to use – gas or charcoal barbecues. While some chefs prefer gas fired barbecues for the convenience, others favour cooking with charcoal…and wouldn’t have it any other way. This article looks at why cooking with charcoal is so appealing, and throws the spotlight on some of the most popular Big K outdoor living products available to buy now.

Big K - Click here to see our full range of summer barbecues including gas and charcoal bbqs.

Five Benefits of Cooking with Charcoal

Are you struggling to decide which barbecue to buy this summer? The choice really comes down to preference as gas and charcoal grills both have their benefits. But here are five reasons why some chefs can’t get enough of charcoal:

Unrivalled Flavour – One of the principal reasons why some chefs prefer charcoal grills is the delicious, smokey flavour that you simply won't get with a gas barbecue. The flavour from charcoal grilled sausages, chicken, steaks, fish or vegetables is simply unbeatable, and is why some householders wouldn’t swap their charcoal BBQ for anything else.

Going Back to Your Roots – Cooking with charcoal has a certain primitive charm. This gives you the chance to go back to basics with friends and family, and feel at one with nature as you cook your food over open flames - just as your ancestors did.

A Sociable Way to Cook – While gas barbecues are quicker to heat up, the wait for the food is half the fun. Your guests will enjoy gathering around the fire, catching up over a glass of wine or beer, and taking it in turns to lend their hand at cooking.

They’re Cheaper – Charcoal barbecues are generally cheaper than their gas equivalent and tend to take up less space overall, so they are great for small gardens. And, with such a wide choice available from Big K, including masonry barbecues and stone barbecues, you will find the perfect one to match your home and garden.

Take Them Anywhere – Big K's wide range of outdoor living products includes throw-away picnic barbecues, which you can easily use in the garden or pack in the boot of the car to take down to the beach or local park. These portable BBQs are simple to use; they only need a match to light and take just 20 minutes to heat up. Click here to order a pack of ten disposable picnic barbecues.

Top Tips on Preparing a Charcoal Grill

Lighting a barbecue for the first time? Here are a few pointers on how to prepare a charcoal grill, so you can impress your guests with your expertise.

  • When you put the charcoal on the barbecue make sure the briquettes are placed close together in a pile before lighting. This enables the fire to spread more easily, so the barbecue heats up quicker.
  • Let the fire burn for about thirty minutes or so before cooking. If you do find the flames are dying out the best bet is to fan the flames with a tea towel or newspaper to get them going again. If you need more heat - just add more charcoal.
  • Once the coals are covered in ash, grey in colour and glowing, your barbecue is ready to use. First, use a poker to spread the coals about, so you get a good hot surface to cook on. Leave an area without coals, which you can use once food is cooked.
  • Next, place the grill on top and let it heat up for a while to get it really hot before cooking. Now you are ready to go!
  • Once in a while fat may drip onto the coals and cause the flames to flare up. The best thing to do is just to move your food to the empty side (the side without fuel) and wait for the flames to die down before cooking again.

Big K sell a wide range of barbecue products including gas and charcoal barbecues, bbq accessories, summer fuel, and portable barbecues. Just click on the link above to order your summer fuel products today.

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