BBQ help what are we doing wrong??

[daxydynamo]

Hello all Dad's out there, we have just purchased our first BBQ, however what do we do now? the bbq is a charcoal one, with a lid and a vent thing that you can open/close. We eventually got the thing lit (no mean feat) but it went out and got cold really quickly! are we supposed to keep the lid on while cooking? is the lid supposed to be on while the flames are going or will that put the whole thing out? is the lid supposed to be on and the vent thingy open while heating up etc? would really appreciate help as have had to abandon and chuck the food inthe oven! now have two very disappointed kids and I am heading for the wine!
Thank you in advance
x

Leave the lid off until it's ready to cook, as putting it on starves the fire of oxygen. Well, air.

Yes stick in charcoal, some firefighters then light it. Should burn fiercely then die down after a while. That's when you cook and use the lid with vents open. Close all vents to kill the fire.

It's ready to cook when the top coals turn white. Have a look in BnQ for a "chimney" in the BBQ section, it'll make lighting much easier. Newspaper or firefighter under the grill of the chimney, coals on top then shake out when white, place grill on top, then food and close lid. Coals to side if doing a large joint and top up as required and coals to the middle if cooking faster. Leave vent on top and bottom partially open.

Good tips here. Just wanted to add never burn treated wood on your BBQ - the chemicals in the wood aren't good for you!!!

Thank you all so much, much more confident next bbq will be a success. x