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

21-26 of 26 comments

blackpudding

19 May 2008, 12:57PM
blackpudding

For years I swore by the traditional, charcoal, bbq - I made several over the years and even used an old wheelbarrow at one point! But I agree that to get the best out of this method of cooking you need to plan carefully and even then it's easy for something to go wrong! Last year I took the big step of buying a large (seemingly industrial scale) gas barbie and I think of it now as part of my kitchen! My Rayburn is on the blink at the moment and we're about to replace it with a 'proper' cooker but, in the meantime, we are totally reliant upon the barbie - there's not much we can't do on it and I just wish I could install one indoors! You might like to see what we managed for supper a few nights ago - it's on my blog www.thebigblackpudding.blogspot.com Think I might go and grill a sandwich for lunch!!

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Francis

20 May 2008, 3:05PM
Francis

If I couldn't have a bbq, I think I would suffer. BBQs are a time old New Zealand tradition - throw it on the barbie. Plus it is an excuse to stand around outside and drink beer rather than stand around inside and drink beer.

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Lucy

20 May 2008, 3:23PM
Lucy

Ruth, you have taken the words right out of my mouth and I couldnt agree more. I love BBQ's and having people round for summer BBQ's but its the one time my man cooks and then he acts like "king of the grill" with me running back and forth with plates and beers while he stands there prodding and flipping the meat! I dont get to mingle with my friends as I am running around for the king!!!!!

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Pat Evans

22 May 2008, 5:15PM
Pat Evans

How I agree with Holly! Luckily I am married to a man who has no desire to prove his masculinity with charred sausages and burnt drumsticks. I love eating outside, but always serve something other than barbecue, so we can all sit comfortably and breathe fresh air and one person doesnt have to do all the work. Plus, why on earth do people always serve pasta and rice salads with BBQ? disgusting!

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Kevin Anthony Ashton

26 May 2008, 2:26AM
Kevin Anthony Ashton

For some reason because bbq's are done in the garden, normally a man's domain.. some foolish hunter-gatherer gene kicks and many men feel compelled to to do the barbecue cooking. Unfortunately the result are often burnt and thus the image of bbg cookery is further malined. Men if you want to cook sucessfully on the barbie first you should practise cooking in the kitchen. You can grill, roast, bake even steam on a bbq if you learn the basics. It doesnt have to be about burnt sausages, think more in terms of a roast leg of lamb spiked with garlic and rosemary, grilled fresh sardines with a tomato & avocado salsa.....I have even baked cheesecake on the barbie just to show others it can be done. If your interested in learning more then come and read the how to on my blog www.wannabetvchef.blog.co.uk

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Cuisinart Gr-4

26 July 2010, 3:33PM
Cuisinart Gr-4

I can see your point about cooking in the oven and eating outside, but the bbq tends to be more of a social setting for family and friends. I enjoy having a crowd gather outside around the grill, talking, laughing then having a crowed kitchen.Grilling becomes more then just cooking food.

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