Barbecue Problems

Barbeque issues - and how to solve them 5

Cooking in the open air - fun, easy and trouble-free - or is it?

Well, yes, more often than not it is, but occasionally bbq cooks do experience a few problems.

However never fear, were here to sort them out.

Hot spots

Hot spots occur on both gas and charcoal barbecues.

With a charcoal fire, you can spread ou the coals to try to balance out the heat, but when it continues to be an issue, youll either have to get rid of food from the grill until the fire has died down, or simply transfer food around the grill, identifying cooler places if your food is at risk of getting burnt on the outside rather than cooking equally all the way through.

In the event that youre not used togas barbecuing and have a brand new gas bbq, you may find that you simply burn food since the gas Barbie is very efficient and sometimes cooks a bit too well especially if youre not used to it.

Over time you may also find that your gas grill develops hot spots, causing an uneven cooking area. Just as with the charcoal grill, you will need to transfer meals around the grill, placing it in cooler spots if it is vulnerable to overcooking or cooking too quickly.

A gas grill which doesnt light

First, make sure you have got gas in your container! Seems obvious we all know, however its the first thing to verify.

If you know you have plenty of gas, check that the igniter is emitting sparks.

If it isnt, make certain there is nothing blocking the burners.

If you cannot see any issues you will need to get a repair person to check the cabling for you.

Always exercise extreme caution when checking your gas grill and as with anything involving gas or electricity, if you are unsure it is best to contact an expert.

Rusty grills

If you use a charcoal grilling or gas bbq keeping it well taken care of will lengthen its working life and make life easier for you.

Its depressing to head out into the garden following work only to find that the bbq requires a comprehensive clean before you can start cooking.

Get into the habit of cleaning and drying all necessary parts when the bbq has cooled down and youll always be ready to fire up the Barbeque in a moments notice.

A Gas barbecue cover may protect it from the elements as well, unless you use a shed, garage or outhouse to store your grill.

Raw gas smells

You have a leak somewhere! Turn off the barbecue immediately and contact a specialist.

Disintegrating hamburgers

Do your burgers fall apart on the grill? In the event that youve made your own burgers (and they usually result in the best result unless youve splashed out on great burgers from the butchers or a farmers market), its worth looking at what sort of meat youve used.

Should you use top-quality, costly mince, you might be missing out on fat content.

The fat helps to bind the burgers togethe, therefore the next time use a cheaper mince that has a higher fat content.

Frozen mince also tends to disintegrate faster, so make use of fresh mince, and try to find mince that has not been ground too finely.

If you want to continually be prepared for an al fresco meal, use fresh mince to make your own burgers and once they have been prepared, then freeze them.

Many people use an egg for binding the burger elements together, so it may very well be worth trying when mixing your burgers - and avoid including large pieces of onion or pepper, as these can cause the entire patty to split when cooking.

As an alternative, slice vegetables finely - a food processor does an excellent job of this if you have one.

Also remember to place your burgers in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to help set them in their burger shape before cooking.

Throughout cooking, try not to move or flip burgers too often, as this will also make them fall apart, If your fire is even and not too hot, this wont be necessary

Food sticking to the grill

First, use the best-quality grill you are able to, as inexpensive grills tend to encourage sticking.

Also, make sure to grease your grill - a cooking spray makes it simple (but make sure you spray before you turn on the Charcoal Barbeque).

Furthermore steer clear of moving your food too much, and dont be tempted to press it down onto the grill with your spatula.

Burned on the outside, uncooked in the centre

This is a catastrophe for barbecue cooks - and a recipe with regard to food poisoning.

Under no circumstances serve food that is not completely cooked all the way through.

The key is to get your Gas Barbeque to an even temperature.

If youre cooking with charcoal, allow enough time for the coals to turn white - this will provide you with the most even heat.

Move food to outside edges of the fire if it seems to be cooking too fast - or raise the grill up higher so that it is further away from the fire.