BBQ Tools

Lets kick the 2011 BBQ Season off with some back to basics information on how to make sure you have a successful BBQ by having the right equipment.

Before I start, I want to make it clear, BBQ’ing does and should not be expensive. Essentially, all you need is fire and meat. That being said, if you want to make sure that you don’t accidentally food poison friends and family then you need some basics.

I have grouped the below into catagories of “Essential” and “Nice to Have”

Essential:

A BBQ! Up to you whether or not you want gas or charcoal. Whilst I am charcoal all the way I can see the benefits of gas, especially if you have a large young family and you need to grill fast and hard. If you can though, always go for charcoal.

You then have the choice of a Kettle BBQ or a normal open top BBQ, usually a half barrel style. We use a Weber Kettle BBQ. Brilliant for cooking a wider range of BBQ Recipes. For example, the beer can up the bum chicken recipe and pizza recipe can only be done in a kettle BBQ. They enable you to reach a higher temperature.

Charcoal… there are heaps of ethical charcoal companies around, even the big stores like Tesco and B&Q source ethical and greener charcoals.

Long BBQ Fork. Essential for moving your meats around

Nice to Have

BBQ Baskets. I swear by these, no more need to hassle with tossing burgers and steaks. We whack everything in these, fish, burgers, steak, chops etc. Absolutely essential for us.

Heat Beads: Essential for pizza and hot temp BBQ recipes. (available from Waitrose)

Small Coal Shovel: (we actually need a new one of these). Great for moving coals around, positioning at the edge of the BBQ etc for the higher temp BBQ recipes. (try B&Q)

BBQ Mitt: We have gone through a few of the weber mitts and they are essential. I am trying a new brand this year, so I shall report back once we have given it the once over.

Foil trays: Great for catching the juices and stopping the coals setting on fire again during the longer BBQ recipes.

Pizza Stone: Another essential if you are wondering how to cook pizza on a BBQ.

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Pizza Stone Preparation

A quick blog as I can hardly contain my excitement. Today I took delivery of our new BBQ Pizza Stone that will enable us to cook Pizzas on the BBQ (in theory).

I was shocked at how cheap the BBQ Pizza Stone was. The Pizza Stone was  just £16,99 from Amazon.

To cook pizza’s on the BBQ you will also need a Kettle Style BBQ so you can reach the required temperature. I will also be stocking up on my heat beads which I found are available from John Lewis!

Basically, once you have fired up your BBQ you get it as hot as possible and the place the BBQ Pizza Stone on the grill. You then slide your home made pizza (recipe to come) onto the pizza stone and leave for a few minutes to cook.

I really cannot wait to get started on my BBQ Pizza’s and cannot believe it only cost £16.99 I cannot wait to get started on our BBQ recipe ideas for pizza.

Have you used a Pizza stone? Why not share your own experiences using the comment box below?

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