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.

I think at our worst we had 5 BBQs. We now only have 2 - one a honking big propane Weber and a tiddly portable charcoal one. Personally I'd use the propane one for every meal possible. The taste is great, the kitchen doesn't get over heated and there's almost no washing up!! We do meat, whole roasts, side of salmon, veg. Wonderful!!

Finally at long last I have found like minded souls who don't like barbecues.

Firstly there is the faff of transporting all food items and cutlery etc into the garden and back.

Secondly bbq cooking is generally done by some beered up man with absolutely no cooking experience during the rest of the year and where you are effectively playing Russian roulette with food poisoning.

Lastly why the hell do you want to cook outside over a fire like some caveman when you have a perfectly good modern kitchen nearby that can cook food more efficiently, better and safer.

People counter with "oh it's much more sociable" and "great with a few drinks". But its like inviting people over to your house to wash their laundry in your local stream over a few drinks for when everyone has a perfectly good washing machine at home because "it's more sociable".

I hate barbecues!!!!

the problem is I don't actually like any of that food- and I'm not veggie, I like stuff in sauces or curries or noodles or pasta . I will concede I don't mind good quality sausages, but in toad in the hole or a casserole.

My DH is much the same- it's not so much the barbecuing as the fact he likes food that doesn't really lend itself to barbecuing

Fresh sardines, larger whole seafish, squid, chicken thighs, vegetables and halloumi are all very good on a bbq.

I do a selection of these things ^ and everything is eaten on fresh flatbreads with some chilli sauce and iceberg lettuce.

No fussy salads, cutlery or whatever.

I don’t clean the grill most of the time. Burn it off after grilling and before and no food poisoning.

I think British people are over ambitious on bbq. Just cook a couple items well, not a huge selection poorly. A great salad, some bread. Easiest dinner ever. Minimal clean up. I live in Canada and we bbq in the snow sometimes, I can’t eat a steak cooked inside!

You must be that neighbor.

Not every barbecue smokes up the neighborhood.
Pity you didn’t already know that before you tried to shame her.

We use our grill several times a week, the whole treat through. Ours has a smoker too. We do salmon, steaks, brats, burgers, chicken breasts, all sorts of things on it. But we live in a climate where outdoor eating is more popular, I guess.

I don’t understand the “having to go back and forth” business that people are complaining about. Ours has shelves for plates, utensils etc. Our outdoor kitchen has a fridge for the drinks, condiments, salad, etc.

The whole year through

A fair few mentioning food poisoning!

Have you ever had food poisoning from your BBQ food ???

Just for the record. Not here. Ever.

Yep it is a faff

I don't think it's over ambitious. It's just simple overcomplicating as with many things here....
We did bbqs for up to 20 people andnever had half the issues and faff people here describe.
1 or 2 trays, depends on how many people. These have plates, cutlery, condiments, sides etc. Sides are 1 salad, salsa type thing, various pickles and 2 types of bread. Plus grilled veg.
Meat is marinated night before (3 types), kebabs made earlier in the day or by the grill while chatting. Only in and out is for drinks if they run out in ice bucket.
That's for when we have more people. No way will I spend half a day faffing instead of having fun with them so keeping it nice and simple.

Mostly cook outside eat inside for winter BBQ’s (it’s too dark) Everyone piles outside for marshmallows though

don’t understand the “having to go back and forth” business that people are complaining about. Ours has shelves for plates, utensils etc. Our outdoor kitchen has a fridge for the drinks, condiments, salad, etc.

You don't understand that an outdoor kitchen is generally not a thing? And that a typical UK bbq is this sort of idea? And however prepared you think you have been there's someone who wants another glass of juice, or mayo rather than ketchup.

I think the people who voluntarily stand outside in the garden cooking in winter/bad weather when they have a perfectly good kitchen are just nuts.

Nobody complains about that at our BBQs

I don't go back and forth, so I don't get this? One big tray. On it... condiments, plates, knives, forks. Not much difference to laying the table in the kitchen? Just a few more paces, what's the problem with that....

My niece and her husband cook their turkey on Christmas Day in an Egg barbecue. I've never tasted it but my DSis tells me it's absolutely delicious.

@Roussette
I don't go back and forth, so I don't get this? One big tray. On it... condiments, plates, knives, forks. Not much difference to laying the table in the kitchen? Just a few more paces, what's the problem with that....

You’ve forgotten the numerous bits of food, the serving dishes, the salad, spatula, then an extra fork is needed and something else is forgotten. You’ve also forgotten the WINE and glasses.

I think it's also that we have bbq when there is company so loading up takes longer

Sorry but that's just basic organisational issue.
Serving dishes, spatulas and such should go out to bbq with meat.
Everything for table goes out on tray for table.
Only thing left is to keep eye on drinks.

I completely agree with those complaining about the faff of trotting back and forth

I don’t understand the “having to go back and forth” business that people are complaining about. Ours has shelves for plates, utensils etc. Our outdoor kitchen has a fridge for the drinks, condiments, salad, etc
A lot of people on Mumsnet are UK based and most UK houses don't have an outdoor kitchen.

Hehe, it just never crosses my mind, extra steps in a day is good! I have a big big tray so am rarely in and out 😅

One journey with the food to cook, tongs, etc and one journey with the rest! I just find it very relaxing especially if we do manage to eat outside in the warmth of the sun. If not, one less journey!

@Roussette extra steps is a good way of thinking about it!
I was just quite concerned that you seemed to have forgotten the wine.

Oh heck! You're right! Extra steps needed for that 😎😂🍸

I've had too much pink barbequed chicken and sausages in my life to want to see any more. Also remember arriving at someone's house with my children for lunch at 1.00 and finding that they've not even started the charcoal BBQ, eventually eating at 3.00 and discovering that she's allowed half a sausage per child, one sausage per adult and a hell of a lot of lettuce.

But they're OK if you cook the food first in an oven and just put them on to be smoked.
No to BBQ cooking, just no.