Barbecues - are they worth it? - Food Blog

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Barbecues - are they worth it?

Posted at 1:00PM, 14 May 2008 by Holly Jones - Former researcher, bbcgoodfood.com

I don't want to be a killjoy, but I'll be completely honest; I don't really see the point of barbecues when you could just cook something in the oven and eat it outside.

I think I should point out that I am not saying al fresco dining is pointless. I love eating outside, the mood is lightened, spirits are high, and a table filled with salads, quiches, chicken, breads and cheeses, all accompanied by a nice chilled rosé is certainly high on my perfect moments list.

But it's the barbecue bit I don't get. The smoke makes everything smell; they take ages to warm up, and when they do they take ages to cook a chicken drumstick; people don't trust the food that's cooked on them, picking at their chicken in case it's going to repeat on them in two hours time, and often it has to be finished off in the oven anyway.

I actually don't mind a bit of charcoal and a few burnt edges so that's not the issue, but why create all that mess and spend all night standing waiting at the barbecue when you could whack everything in the oven, sit down and relax with your friends?

Please don't send hate mail - I know that somewhere along the way I'm missed out on learning about the joys of barbecuing, sorry mum and dad - maybe this is your fault. But I've love to know why everyone is so obsessed. Living in London, a garden can be a rare thing and maybe this is why I'm so lazy when it comes to barbecuing.

Or maybe's it's actually because I've never had a gas barbecue - is this the answer? I've only ever used charcoal, in my eyes this is a barbecue, gas is cheating. I thought they were all about the burnt taste and undercooked meat. Yes, I'm stuck in the early 90s. I could play the green card, but there are eco-friendly ways to char your chicken now, so I'll leave that alone.

And just to really get your heckles up, I have to say, I love going to them, but with no garden, no gas and little passion for standing over the stove all night, my guests will have to make do with something from the stove. Please let me know why you love it so much? I promise I'll give it a go!

Comments

1-20 of 26 comments

James

14 May 2008, 2:43PM
James

Barbecues are the only time in the year men cook en masse - that surely has to be a plus point! Haveyou listened to them rapsodise on their favourite marinade recipe? Barbecuing induces that laid-back Aussie feeling. Barbecuing should be too easy mate - something to burn in the background while you're shooting the beers. It's a reconnection with the travelling spirit. Or something. Chicken is pre-cooked in the microwave. Or chicken breats cut thin (in half laterally) so it cooks fast - which you can do with all the other meats too. Gas is OK, but you can't cut herbs from the garden and stick them underneath to burn/ smoke.

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whats4teamum

14 May 2008, 5:34PM
whats4teamum

I couldn't agree more. Back and forth carrying the contents of your kitchen outside only to carry it all back in again when you feel half cut. Invariably results in your best tableware being left out in the garden or dropped on the patio. Too long spent swatting wasps, moths and flies of food that is sitting breeding bacteria in the warm sun. However, I do love a picnic!

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red book

15 May 2008, 12:09AM
red book

When we moved to Aus, we bought a gas barbie. I also teased my OH for 'cheating', but it is so easy. We bought a weber and it comes with a lid, no more burnt snags for us, steak is meltingly tender (2 1/1mins each side with the lid down) and chicken stays juicy. They even do recipe books here for the brand and you can cook roasts cakes and quiches in it too! Plus I can put it on to preheat and its ready in 10mins! All I can say is, we should've bought one earlier, but a word to the wise...make sure he turns it off after he's finished cooking, eh? lol

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Midas

15 May 2008, 10:04AM
Midas

I thought we were very lucky to have been given a gas barbecue but I glean that you can't use charcoal with it as I first thought (putting the charcoal under the hob part) so I don't think I would like it! I might as well cook the food indoors and take it out into the garden - but am I wrong? Would appreciate advice.

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igglepiggle

15 May 2008, 10:13AM
igglepiggle

We have a gas barbeque that has coals (similar to those on a gas fire I think). We have had a barbie for last 4 or five nights and love it, we don`t pre-cook chicken as we find the gas barbie cooks it well without burning, the lid is great for ensuring the food is cooked properly. Bring back the sun and we will have a barbie every night.

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Midas

15 May 2008, 11:50AM
Midas

Thanks igglepiggle I will certainly try it. I just love the taste of charcoal grilled food, to me it isn't a barbie without it but I wonder what your coals are? Do you buy them specially for gas barbecues or can you in fact put ordinary charcoal round the gas burners to light them or would this be dangerous do you think?

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pauline

15 May 2008, 12:51PM
pauline

Oh i quite agree b.b.q is very pointless, my partner gets quite exited in the summer so he thinks he is doing me a favour by doing the cooking. I end up running around getting this and that when he is running out of food to cook,he over cooks everything cos he think it is all going to be raw inside.Ban the barbi

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Rona

15 May 2008, 1:42PM
Rona

I live in South Africa and bbq or braai's as we call it here is so every day even in winter, can't say I enjoy the smell or taste of the smoke, I prefer a gas bbq, but also think it is better to cook in the kitchen and eat outside.

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fondantfancy

15 May 2008, 1:53PM
fondantfancy

Completely agree - I really can't see the point. I'd much rather bung it all in the oven and sit down with the nice glass of rosÃ©.

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Emma

15 May 2008, 1:57PM
Emma

I like bbq's a lot, but we haven't yet brought a decent one.(We are looking into getting a webber charcoal one). I do however have a massive problem with the disposable ones you can buy as the majority of the time we've used them we cannot get them to burn properly. The bag around the coals burn but the coals within stay black and cold and do not light, making it quite a stressfull experience of trying for ages to burn the coals and then giving in and putting it all in the oven anyway. I'm sure we're not that stupid that we can't follow the very simple instructions - but are we the only ones who have this problem?!

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igglepiggle

15 May 2008, 4:38PM
igglepiggle

Midas, the coals we have are designed for the gas barbie, ours came with them but we recently bought some more in Aldis...you can probably get them at B&Q or the like.. I don`t think I`d use normal charcoal bit dangerous I would think..

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Sue

15 May 2008, 5:15PM
Sue

Can't agree more about bbq's! We gave our BBQ to our son several years ago. We've spent a fortune over the years on charcoal ones and a gas one. But, my husband thinks they're so anti social, with someone always stand ing guard over the cooking while the rest sit and relax. We do the 'al-fresco' garden lunches now, out of the oven into the middle of the table...dig in!

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Annabel

15 May 2008, 7:26PM
Annabel

I like the idea of BBQs and have some great recipes and have made some lovely things on our GAS barbeque (on the 3 or 4 oaccasions we have used it) but my problem is I am OC and spend ages cleaning it afterwards so all in all its easier to cook in the oven. I do wish I could use it more as its the easiest way to grill vegetable due to the large surface area.

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kipperelli

15 May 2008, 7:43PM
kipperelli

..... how about a disposable BBQ at the beach and bacon and sausage buns (bacon is so lovely cooked on a BBQ) while the kids runaround playing football or beachcombing. Don't need cutlery (a fork to turn while cooking) or crockery just a roll of kitchen roll to wrap the buns in, wipe up and clean down. surely that's not hasslesome?

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jykseo

15 May 2008, 8:51PM
jykseo

I couldn't agree more! We're probably the only family in the US who don't have a BBQ grill. But like you say, what is the point of creating such a mess when you can prepare so much more delicious and hassle-free meals in the oven?? You just prepare everything and take them out on the tray!

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Allens Book

16 May 2008, 12:52PM
Allens Book

I think some of you are missing the point. BBQ's are a social occasion, a little bit of planning, preparation and organising can make a good day for friends and family getting together. There are lots of different food stuffs that can be cooked so its not just sausages, chicken legs/wings, burgers. Care and attention ensure under cooking and over cooking are avoided. Lots of salads, breads and of course wine and beer top of the consumption list. Gas or charcoal? It does not matter both have there merits. Just get out and do it enjoy the good ones and think why the bad ones happened and replan for the next one. Lots of friends and family make for happier times.

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colcamp260

17 May 2008, 12:51PM
colcamp260

Barbeques are great fun and more a way to enjoy the good weather while cooking rather than being stuck indoors.A good way to avoid the dreaded tummy rumbles is to demi-cook the meatpieces in the oven for 20mins or so and then finish them off on the barbeque. This is particularily good for thick pieces like chicken joints and steaks.The demi-cooking can even be done several hours before and the meat allowed to cool before being barbequed.

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Joltek

17 May 2008, 9:44PM
Joltek

How else do you get your husband to cook?

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Ruth

18 May 2008, 7:25PM
Ruth

We women prepare all the food for the BBQ which probabley takes all afternoon the men cook it then call for a dish to put the cooked chicken into another dish for the burgers, another dish for the sausages and so on, we women are worn to a frazzle fetching and carrying. Whilst all this is going on the men are shouting even louder 'get me another beer'. The women then do all the clearing up etc. Who gets all the praise, the men of course.

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crazyfox

18 May 2008, 10:52PM
crazyfox

BBQ'S are what Summer is made for, if we're lucky enough to get one of course!.I don't find it any more laborious than indoor cooking, apart from cleaning the BBq after. I love cooking & eating outside. I always give my chicken & pork a bash with a rolling pin first to flatten it out so it cooks quicker. I've a couple of the disposal BBQ's that i've yet to try out. Am planning on taking them on our next picnic :)

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