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BBQ safety

Burgers? Check. Cobs? Check. Up to date on barbeque safety? Read on

Our top ingredient for the perfect barbeque isn't sun or sausages, it's safety.

If you're a seasoned barbequer, it's likely that you have one of two kinds of barbeque, either one which runs on charcoal, or gas. But perhaps you're new to the barbeque world and have gone for a disposable kind – all great choices, all with their own safety tips.

Charcoal

You should never use petrol to light a barbeque, and for the best results, use only enough charcoal to cover the base of the barbeque – overfilling could cause a fire to become out of control.

Using charcoal means that once the cooking is done, you will need to dispose of the ashes, and you should never do this by putting them straight into a wheelie bin or dustbin, instead, once the barbeque is cool, empty the ashes onto bare soil.

You will also need to consider how you are going to light your charcoal barbeque, and the only way to do this is with recognised fire lighters or starter fuel on cold coals.

Gas/h2

These barbeques are different in that they require bottled gas to be connected to the appliance to get things started. It is never a good idea to store more cylinders than you need, and when you do buy them, always try to keep them stored outside, but never in direct sunlight.

Using gas cylinders means you will need to be aware of leaks, and if you suspect a leak, turn off the cylinder and brush soapy water around all joints, watching closely for bubbles forming.

It is always a good idea to turn off the gas cylinders before you switch your barbeque off, as this will stop any gas from leaking.

Disposable

Disposable barbequing is becoming more popular, but we don't want the same to happen for fires linked to using barbeques of this kind!

Before you even start cooking, one of the most important things to consider is how you are going to dispose of your barbeque afterward – some places may have designated areas for this, and you should use them, but if you are in an area which doesn't, you should make sure it is fully extinguished and cooled down and then dispose of it. It is really important to make sure that they are cool before doing so! Either way, you should make sure the barbeque is fully cooled down first and pour cold water on it. This is because disposing of a barbeque that is still hot could cause a fire to reignite.

You should always leave disposable barbeques outside for some hours after you have finished cooking to limit exposure to carbon monoxide, and never use these items inside a caravan, tent, or cabin.

Top barbeque safety tips

  • Always be aware of which kind of barbeque you have, and follow the advice for this.
  • Set your barbeque upon level ground away from bushes, trees, and property.
  • Never leave a barbeque unattended and make sure they have cooled down once you have finished cooking.