to think barbecues just aren't worth the effort?

[GulesMeansRed]

First barbecue of the year today.

Retrieve barbecue from back of shed, give it a good scrub because although it was put away clean (or DH sys it was) and covered, it's sticky and mucky after 9 months. Search for charcoal. Search for firelighter thingies. Get the thing going. Stand around while it gets to the right stage for cooking. Start cooking the stuff. Constant debate about whether it's done or not. Multiple trips back into the house to get salad, salad dressing, cheese slices, another beer, tomato ketchup, another plate, another spoon, forks. Then all the clearing away and disposing of the charcoal.

Total faff.

To clarify - our bbq yesterday was just us and the kids. 5 of us. 2 adults, 3 teens. It's a whole different ball game when you have friends over and it's more of a social thing.

We did have burgers, also chicken and prawns. It was tasty enough, but I still don't accept that the benefits of cooking outside and the added flavour is worth the hassle and faff.

All your multiple trips you list is about eating outside though, not bbq’ing. So really what you’re saying is you prefer to eat inside or a single plated thing outside.

as said we have a gas one, it literally is no more effort than cooking inside and requires less cleaning.

how much stuff you then bring outside is a personal choice and nothing to do with bbqing.

for us, us it’s great, sun shining, we put the burners on, Leave it for ten mins to reach temp. And then shove the food on. As it’s eight burners with a wok burner too, we do all the veggies, the meat, fish etc, on it at the same time, you just time when you put it on like you do in the kitchen. And the smell is glorious.

any stuff we want outside like plates, sauces, salads etc, everyone helps, so it’s a one trip and done.

100% agree OP.
If you enjoy the social aspect of bbqing, then I can just about see a bit of the appeal, but otherwise it's utterly pointless.

DH used to be obsessed by them. Funnily enough, since he became a vegetarian, he's not at all bothered. So all those years where I was totally meh about it (I eat very little meat even (especially) if it's been chargrilled) and my heart sank every time he suggested it - now he gets it!

And all the fucking sides. It's so much work, and such a faff, having to schlepp all the uncooked stuff out, and all the sodding condiments because you apparently can't eat bbq food without having loads of extra sauces too. Ugh. I'm an excellent cook, and I know how to organise it all, and DH did bbq grill courses and everything - it's not the execution of it, it's the fact for me that it is UTTERLY POINTLESS. Just cook as usual and eat outside. There is literally not one single advantage imo.

This thread is depressing. Something done badly being bad is hardly news.

There is a WORLD of difference between opening a lighter bag and chucking on a few sausages, burgers and pre-made kebabs from the supermarket and some low n slow brisket done overnight, Over the Top Chilli, slow cooked curried lamb shoulder, Smashburgers and reverse seared steaks - all of which we've had in the last week alone.

And with due respect to the OP - nobody who is serious about outdoor cooking is blowing cobwebs off as it;s not been used for 9 months. It's a year round activity in this house.

Sounds as if some people would benefit from something like this for Fathers Day or similar.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tom-Kerridges-Outdoor-Cooking-ultimate/dp/1526641429

I am finding the barbeque evangelists in this thread quite funny with their absolute outrage that anyone, anywhere might just not be that fussed about barbeque. I've had it done very well, it just still wasn't particularly up there for me in good food.

I'm not the slightest bit outraged! Each to their own. I am a bit puzzled though, it must be different people's tastebuds or something.

@jellycakeandicecream Thanks for the link to that book, I'm getting one for me and one for one of the DCs who has just bought their first bbq!

I do kind of agree that they can be a lot of work if you are entertaining, a cold buffet is a lot easier.

I love cooking outdoors. We gave up the gas bbq a few years ago. We have a ninja type large grill and it's so easy. Just have to clean the grill bit after.

Was this very ££?

My in laws buy the best meat, and I have to sit there watching FIL send it to hell.

YANBU OP. I do like campsite cooking, but barbecues are just a tortuous amount of effort.

Lucky for me, I am pregnant, so get to excuse myself on the grounds of not liking the smell.

I am finding the barbeque evangelists in this thread quite funny with their absolute outrage that anyone, anywhere might just not be that fussed about barbeque. I've had it done very well, it just still wasn't particularly up there for me in good food.

Evangelists?

Outrage?

🤔

PILs used to do BBQs a lot. It meant helping MIL make potato salad, pasta salad, cous cous, salad salad, cooking the chicken in advance, marinating, wrapping stuff in foil, FIL creates it on the BBQ. Then we have to fawn oner FIL's cooking for us 😂

Not for me thanks.

cremates not creates.

We have a gas BBQ that comes out each late spring and goes away again each autumn.
We don't usually plan big BBQ event things. We use it more as an alternative to the oven, especially for things that can be a bit more messy to cook inside.

So, for example, yesterday breakfast dh cooked the bacon and sausage in the BBQ whist I sorted some scrambled eggs, toast, etc inside.

Some warmer evenings we might do a steak or some kebabs in the BBQ rather than on the jib.

@londonrach I'm with you- really like the smell- don't much like the food

Oh god we are a serious bbq household , DP barbecuing 2-3 times a week currently on his very fancy bbq - I have zero involvement 😂

My ex was brilliant on the BBQ, he bought a 'chimney! Where you filled it with coals then set it on a camping gas stove to heat the coals up.
All ready to cook in under 10mins.

I'm not caring enough as it's only myself and the 10yo but do have a baby Weber which is brilliant, cleaning basically means one or two times a year and in between just turn up the heat close the lid and then use a brush to clean it off.

I love a BBQ. Just like with anything it comes down to organisation. More you do them the easier it gets.

I got my BBQ out a couple of weeks ago to give it a good once over in prep for using over the summer. Then clean as I go. Makes life easier.

I think sadly most people have had bad experiences or had a BBQ from an “inexperienced chef” but my God if you get someone who knows a BBQ it is immense 👌👌🔥🔥more too it thank hotdogs & burgers sooo much more

I rotate in the oven so everything is cooked through but has the nice bbq taste

nobody who is serious about outdoor cooking is blowing cobwebs off as it;s not been used for 9 months.

tell me you don't live in Scotland without saying you don't live in Scotland. Why on EARTH would you be outside in 0c in November or February barbecuing? That's just crazy. Even if you think the food tastes better, the trade off is hypothermia and that's not worth it.

And are you only allowed to have a barbecue if you're "serious about it"?

Also agree with this. Even when people are cooking for me, or I'm going out. I wouldn't seek out barbecued food as a preference.

Mumsnet has a lot of under and overly competitive things, 'outdoor cooking' is a new and sad one though, it's so weird. Thankfully I don't live near anyone who feels the need to pump stinking smoke into the atmosphere throughout the year!

To be fair there are absolutely some who can't comprehend that people might not like bbq food. It just must be as they've only had crap food on them or whatever else- not sure why they can't understand some people just aren't a fan, especially when it doesn't affect them one iota!

If I had a proper outdoor kitchen space I would be BBQing all the time. I love BBQ food. But I'm in rented and it looks like the owners have attempted to build a brick BBQ shelf thing but its at knee hight and in a tight corner and next to a wooden fence with no space to put plates or utensils anywhere. I suppose its one step up from the disposable tin tray thing on the floor but its not an enjoyable experience trying to cook like that.

Not liking BBQ food is like not liking Chinese food or Indian sub continent food.
Its so varied that you can’t possibly dislike all of it