Warning to anyone cooking dinner on charcoal BBQ at home
Budding pitmasters have been advised to heed expert advice before taking advantage of the heat and firing up their charcoal barbecue this week.
There really are a few things better than a Great British BBQ. Many are likely to champion plant-based hero products like veggie burgers and grilled corn during the UK heatwave, while others may prefer to snack on fall-off-the-bone ribs or crunchy chicken skewers.
But regardless of what you choose to rustle up for yourself or your loved ones, there’s probably one thing you can agree on: everything should be cooked to absolute perfection.
Whether you’re a barbecue beast or just dabbling in the cooking method, the UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) has some sage advice for charcoal cooking this summer.
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Below, we’ve got everything you need to know about maximising al fresco season, including common mistakes to avoid and how hot the fuel should be before sticking your hot dogs on.
Keep your barbecue clean
Firstly, if you’ve neglected your outdoor barbecue for some months, then it’s probably a good idea to give it a clean before you start cooking food on it.
Not only will this help to eliminate bacteria, but it will also get rid of any mouldy or leftover food debris.
Make sure you wipe down any utensils and give your hands a good rinse before and after food preparation.
This is ‘particularly important’ if you’ve been handling raw meat, BBQ firelighters and charcoals.
Warning for cooking on charcoal
Many pitmasters enjoy cooking on a charcoal BBQ, with experts at BBC GoodFood recommending good quality, sustainably produced lumpwood charcoal.
“Lumpwood charcoal burns more quickly than other types so may need topping up if you are cooking something for a long time,” the publication reasoned.
However, the FSA has issued a warning: “If you’re using charcoal (rather than a gas-fired BBQ), make sure the coals are hot enough before you start cooking,” the agency warned.
“They should be glowing red with a grey, powdery surface.”
Mistakes to avoid with charcoal cooking
Coal Merchants UK have said that patience really is key when cooking with charcoal as it can take up to 20 minutes or more for it to reach the ‘right’ temperature.
“The main thing you want to avoid when cooking with charcoal is impatience – make sure you wait until your charcoal is hot enough before starting to cook and don’t keep lifting the lid to see how it’s doing,” they wrote.
“In both cases, you’ll get better with practice!”
Other mistakes include using low-quality charcoal that contains additives and chemicals, and not using vents to control the temperature effectively.
You also want to avoid undercooking (or overcooking) your food by using a thermometer.
“If you just go by the outside and you’ve had the temperature too high, you might not have cooked the insides sufficiently,” the experts warned.
BBQ’d pork, fish, and beef are considered ‘safe’ to eat when the internal temperature reaches about 63ºC; poultry needs to reach about 74ºC.
Throw away BBQ warning
Anyone who chooses to cook sausages, burgers, or bacon on a disposable BBQ this summer may be at risk of a £1,000 fine.
This is because many councils across Britain have banned the one-use items as part of Public Spaces Protection Orders due to them being a ‘safety hazard’.
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) has said that while the handy products may appear harmless, they can ‘scorch’ surfaces and create a ‘smouldering’ underground fire.
It might seem out when you leave, but the heat can linger below the surface,” the LFRS warned via Facebook last year.
Anyone who uses a disposable BBQ on a beach that has banned them, such as Lytham St Annes and Kingston, risks a fine between £50 and £100 if caught by police or council enforcement.
The fine can rise up to £1,000 for more serious breaches, according to The Beach Guide.
How to cool down in a heatwave
We’re all aware of the basics of keeping cool during the warmer weather, such as avoiding the sun between 11am and 3pm, staying hydrated, wearing light clothing, taking cold showers and avoiding physical activity, but have you tried these little-known hacks to beat the heat? (Thank us later).
The correct way to sleep with a fan on
A good night's sleep is almost never guaranteed during a heatwave, leaving many of us turning to our trusty fan to get through the night. However, it could be having a hidden impact on your health.
But rest assured, as Dr Anis Khalaf has explained how to overcome this.
"The key is to not have any of the wind blowing on you,” he said. “So try facing it away from your body, and the air will still circulate around the room."
Though bear in mind that electric fans only tend to work when the temperature is below 35 degrees.
Drinking milk
Thanks to the sugars, proteins and fats in milk, Dr Natasha Fernando claimed that a glass of the liquid ‘may be more hydrating than water’.
She told Metro: “Milk also contains sodium which allows your body to hold onto water for longer, aiding hydration levels.”
The Egyptian sleep method
Forget the Military sleep method, because this hack claims to keep you cool as well as help you nod off.
Psychiatrist Alex Dimitriu, MD, told VeryWellMind: "The Egyptian sleep method involves sleeping under a damp sheet, which cools off from evaporation.”
Just make sure the sheet is damp and not drenched, and the room is well-ventilated.
Keeping windows shut during the day
While it may sound counterproductive, you’re essentially inviting the hot air inside by leaving them open. And since most houses in the UK are designed to keep the heat in, you could be making the situation a whole lot worse.
Instead, wait until the temperatures have dropped (such as in the late evening) to open your windows to allow cooler air to circulate. Keeping your blinds and curtains shut can also help.
Ella Scott