Barbequing for Beginners: Essential Tips

There is no doubt that everyone loves a good BBQ, but when it comes to taking over the grill yourself, you might be new at it or the idea may seem a bit daunting? Don’t feel alone, it is entirely understandable as fires can be scary, and not knowing how to control them can put you off. However, with the proper safety know-how, temperature control, and best practices for cooking, you can be on your way to becoming everyone’s favorite grill master. Read here for barbequing for beginners tips. Before you know it your friends and family will be pleased with your new skills, and you can experience the joys of a meal done outdoors.

So don’t hold back. Equip yourself with the skill of barbequing and enjoy lifelong cook-ups on the grill. Take your first steps here with our barbequing for beginners guide.

 Pre-barbeque must-haves

• Spatula and tongs
• Fuel: charcoal, wood, pellets
• Lighter or long matches.
• Heat-resistant gloves
• Apron
• First Aid Kit – just a regular household one will do
• Serving bowls and spoons
• Disposal plates, cups, and utensils
• Napkins
• A garbage setup
• Bug spray – to fend off those bugs when the sun sets
• A spray gun or bucket filled with water

 The grilling meat

If this is your first time barbequing, you should opt for simple mains that are easy to cook on the grill. Beef is a great option. Consider ground beef that you can make into hamburger patties or try beef steaks like Ribeyes or T-bones, which are crowd favorites. Pork ribs are also a yummy choice, but they need to ensure cooking on a lower heat for a longer time. If you want to go for chicken, then boneless, skinless chicken breasts cook fairly quickly. However, watch for overcooking to prevent it from tasting dry.

For more Kudu Grill barbequing for beginners and more, see our range of videos and mouthwatering recipes.

How to get a wood fire going

• Always ensure you have a clean grate before you begin.
• Prep your fire early, as it can take about 30 minutes to two hours to reach an ideal temperature to begin your barbeque.
• Place your kindling in the center of the barbeque area so that it looks like a mini bonfire. Light your tinder(fire lighter) and place it on the kindling. Once a small fire begins to crackle, place your bigger logs around the kindling until they form a fort. Build three of four layers like this, and your perfect barbeque is taking shape.
• Watch your fire closely. Too many pieces of wood will suffocate the fire, and too little wood will cause it to die.
• Rub your grill grate down with half a raw onion or half a lemon when the braai gets up to heat. This will add a nice flavor to the meat, and the aroma will attract everyone to the scene.
• Now, wait for a layer of hot coals to form and distribute evenly.
• Hold your hand a few centimeters above the grill, and if you can keep your hand there for five seconds, then the temperature is ready to place your meat on like steak—seven or eight seconds for sausages or patties and ten seconds for chicken.
• Never over-flip the meat. Overflipping causes the juices to evaporate, resulting in stiff and dry meat. However, meat with plenty of fat like sausages will cook more evenly when flipped often. The best time to flip meat is when you see the blood and juices become visible.
• Never cook your meat directly on a flame – this will result in overly charred meat on the outside that is raw on the inside.

Always keep it safe!

Knowing how to keep your home and family safe during a barbeque is crucial. Always set up your barbeque in the correct place and have what you need for safety readily available to avoid panic.

Here is what you should know: 

• Only use your barbeque outside and check for any obstructions. Anything that surrounds or hangs above your grill can catch fire easily.
• Keep your grill at least 10 feet away from your home or other wood structures to prevent a potential fire hazard.
• Place your grill on a flat, even surface to avoid it from tipping over and causing a fire.
• Always clean your grill after use. Not cleaning causes grease build-up, acts as fuel and catches fire when in use.
• Never leave your grill unattended. Rather ask an adult to take over while you step away.
• Wear appropriate clothing that won’t get in contact with flames. Avoid long sleeves or pieces that dangle to avoid catching alight over the grill.
• Have a water spray gun available. It is common for grills to flare up when fat drips down from the meat while cooking. A section of the grill will remain on fire as it burns away. Quickly extinguish these smaller flames to avoid spreading.
• Always keep a fire extinguisher nearby if a fire does break out.

Be inspired by Kudu Grills

Barbequing for beginners is made easy with Kudu Grills. Whether you are just starting out or want to go all the way to the top and become a (as the South African would say, ‘braaing pro’), then follow our DuYuKudu barbequing lifestyle and become part of our family.

At Kudu Grills, we want you to experience the love of outdoor cooking like we do. If you are a beginner barebequer we recommend the Kudu Open Fire Grill that never disappoints.

Contact us today for yours.