4 barbecue tips for beginners

The smell of food cooking on the barbecue can only mean one thing: it's summer! If you're a BBQ beginner, there are some easy tips to get you started and grilling delicious meals all summer long.

• Charcoal barbecues use charcoal nuggets, which are lit to create heat.
• Gas barbecues use gas, in the form of small portable tanks that connect to the appliance.

While a gas barbecue is easier to clean and heats up more quickly, charcoal barbecues are cheaper and known for giving food a wonderful smoky flavour.

• Stores generally sell both kinds in a variety of sizes, so even small apartment patios can be grilling havens.

You don't need that many tools to get started, but you should have some things to get you started:

• Metal tongs
• A metal spatula
• Something for cleaning the grill (you can buy specialty tools or just a simple brass-wire brush)
• Your heat source, a bag of charcoal nuggets or a full gas tank

Don't fall into the trap of being a neglectful barbecue owner.

• Always clean your barbecue before a new grilling session.
• If you use a charcoal grill, make sure you empty the old ashes out before you use it again.

It's often easier to clean the grill when it's a little warm.

• Heat it up before grabbing your brass-wire brush (some people even swear by using a cut lemon or onion) and get rid of any gunk at the start of your cooking session.
• Once the grill is clean and cooled, lightly oil a paper towel and wipe it over the bars. This will make sure your food doesn't stick to the grill.

To start, stick to classics such as burgers, sausages and steaks.

• When you're ready to get creative try cooking onions on a low heat to produce a beautiful caramelized flavour.
• You can also throw on some red pepper strips or even try corn on the cob, just be sure to wrap it in foil before placing it on the grill.
• Try and limit the number of times you flip your food. This will ensure that all those delicious juices don't get lost.

Firing up the barbecue is one of the great joys of summer. With these simple tips to get your started, you'll be grilling like a pro in no time.

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