Do You Enjoy BBQs?

[RabbitsRock]

My family were never really into BBQs when I was growing up, although I always enjoyed barbecued food if I had it. DH & I only bought a BBQ when we moved out of his house into our own ( we’d been together 7 years by then) and it only got used for us, not for entertaining. We never get invited to BBQs either. We moved again to a house with a smaller garden. The BBQ got left out all winter & is really rusty, although it works fine. Again, it’s very rarely used. We didn’t cook anything on it last year & probably won’t during this heatwave, even though it is nice to eat al fresco. DH says he just can’t be doing with the faff & the waiting around. How about you guys?

No. Massive faff. We have meat and salads most days in the summer but cooked and eaten indoors. I just use the griddle. Also hate eating outside, much more comfortable inside.

We grill all the time but we have a gas bbq (and live in a hot country) but I absolutely adore a good British bbq on the charcoal.
My dad does lovely food, chicken thighs, lamb koftas and grilled vegetables.
I use the grill 3-4 times a week, usually salmon, Greek chicken, spicy shrimp skewers or chicken legs. I never do burgers or hot dogs because they’re dull.

Nope! I echo some of those above….never hosted, but when attending others I always find you have to wait ages for the BBQ to heat up etc, then get presented with a plate of assorted slightly singed meats but with unnerving pink bits. I also can’t stand insects so flies etc buzzing around & landing on things puts me right off eating. There’s usually not enough seating so you have to try and eat with your plate balanced on your lap…and meat cooked on a BBQ doesn’t really taste any better to me? BBQs were not a feature of my childhood and just have never really got what all the fuss is about….

We had loads growing up, my dad loved outdoor eating generally even when we had to wear thick coats and hats.

I love BBQ food and BBQs generally. But it's only recently that I've realised I hate doing them at home. The faff with taking everything outside, waiting for the BBQ to stop flaming and yet not about to go out, worrying if the fat dripping from food will cause it the flame to flare again. Worrying it's going to overcook. Then, just when the BBQ is really hot for cooking, everyone's had enough. Also the dilemma of buying a disposable one that often doesn't last long. Environmentally dubious. Or getting one that's a complete pita to clean after.

But, anyone who asks me to one I'm around like a shot, happy to bring drinks, meat, carbs, side salads, dessert whatever! 😊

What's the food taste like on a gas barbecue @Strokethefurrywall ?

I'm really not fussed, and we have never owned a BBQ. I understand liking to eat outside in good weather, but why not just cook it in your fully equipped kitchen and take it out? Also just had way too many burnt or raw offerings over the years!

Eating them, yes. Preparing them myself, hell no.

So much faff.

Different country where a bbq means meat cooked for hours and hours and hours until it is so tender it practically melts in your mouth. Absolute best thing in the world.

I can cook a burger or a sausage inside just fine and not need to swat away bugs.

DH has a gas BBQ which he enjoys using but hates cleaning, so we don't use it often. It has a rotisserie and a pizza oven too, both great but again not fun to clean.

Charcoal BBQ on the other hand, I'm not a fan. It's just burnt food to me, I would rather use the oven and eat in the garden!

I love a BBQ, but despite being a very competent domestic cook I despair about how shit I am at cooking outdoors.

I never seem to be able to get the bloody thing hot enough, the way they do at really good Middle Eastern restaurants.

It also doesn't help that I was a vegetarian for many years until recently and seem to have lost any instinct for timing the cooking of meat. Thank heavens for meat thermometers.

I suppose I could buy a gas BBQ, but that seems like cheating.

We have an expensive gas one. Oh goes and cooks the meat while I knock up a salad. Meat cooked perfectly and don’t have to clean the hob

My DH was a chef and he told me that BBQs are the worst for causing food poisoning as rarely are things cooked for long enough. I never go along to them because of that nor does my DH.

I liked it when I was with my ex because he used to get it all ready and cook, but I can't be bothered to do it on my own. It's a lot of hassle and even when the food is ready my teenage son doesn't want to spend a long time hanging out in the garden so it's a really quick event! I like going to other people's though, but I often don't trust them as I'm veggie and don't want my food near all the meat.

We use a meat probe so we know for sure if the meat is cooked

Ok. I have to finally ask because it is kn every thread.

Do Brits people really just do burgers, sausages and undercooked chicken?
Sorry, honestly just realised that I've never been to purely British bbq and maybe that's why I love bbq😂

Not all British people, no.

I suspect some do. Actually, I know some do because I have been to their BBQs.

No because DH just burns everything whilst I run in and out the house bringing plates/cutlery/condiments/salads etc out. And then I have to bring it all back in again. It’s just hard work for no reason, I’d rather just cook in my kitchen.

We use the BBQ several time a week in the summer. But we have a fabulous hybrid BBQ (gas for quick family meals, charcoal for long afternoons entertaining), a rotisserie, a special pan for the BBQ etc.

We don't cook sausages and burgers, we cook a range of food, just like we cook in the kitchen!

Chicken/Lamb/pork joints or steaks or kebabs or prawns or grilled fish etc, as well as potatoes and vegetables etc. We can do a real range of delicious food (which is properly cooked and neither burnt nor raw).

We love eating outside. It's cooler outside and more sociable and we're not heating up the kitchen and house by putting the kitchen stove on.

we BBQ most days in the summer, we have a couple of traditional kettle ones and a ninja wood fire too, depending what we are cooking depends which we use.
Friday we did pulled pork smoked for 9hrs on the coals and did burgers to go with it on the ninja.
Saturday we did whole Seabass, then last night quickly did some chicken and veg skewers with flatbreads so it’s definitely not just burgers and sausages with a ropey salad here.
I hate being indoors when the weather is good so will always cook outdoors when I can.

SIL has a fancy wood fired bbq that has sensors and all sorts and you can even control it with an app on your phone. He doesn't tend to do your traditional burgers and sausages but does great pulled pork, brisket, slow cooked ribs and more. The year we had Christmas at theirs he even cooked the turkey on it. It came out delicious and had the added advantage of freeing up the oven indoors for everything else.

I do-because my dp is a spectacular barbecuer. He once made a roast dinner for 10 on two barbecues in a storm. He does all vegan, all vegetarian and meat and any combination of the three-and he does amazing barbecued fruit. We’re having duck, new potatoes and green beans tonight. All barbecued. Be jealous. Very jealous!

I don't have one. There's a practical use of moving hot cooking outside on hot days to avoid adding more heat to the kitchen. But often when it's that hot I don't want hot food anyway.

Can't stand the bloody things.
People who like BBQ's shouldn't have neighbours.

No, never had a bbq, been to some, smelt millions. Awful.

BBQs on my in laws side mean waiting ages (and I mean ages) for the food , being so hungry you’ve filled up on nuts and crisps while the food eternally cooks ….and then there is way too much food once it is ready…. and we are consistently asked to go back and refill our plates despite no longer being hungry. It’s kind of them to cater and invite - but honestly, my heart sinks when I hear they want to do another BBQ 🤣