It’s the start of BBQ season – no really, it is – and despite invariably being blighted by bad weather, there’s nothing us Brits love more than a good old fashioned barbecue.
Heralding the start of a summer of outdoor cooking and al fresco dining, May is normally the month to celebrate barbecues, with national BBQ day and BBQ week. This year though, things are a little different.
In light of Covid-19, and in the hope of all restrictions being lifted by the end of June, National BBQ week has been pushed back to 2-11 July. Giving you plenty of time to get ready to BBQ in style!
Things to consider…
When it comes to creating the perfect spot for outdoor cooking, the main priority is practicality – not space. So the good news is you don’t need a massive garden, just a bit of smart thinking…
Where should your BBQ go?
One of the most important things to contemplate is where you’re going to position your BBQ.
To create the ideal outdoor cooking setup, it’s important to think about where’s a sensible place to cook. You don’t want a scalding hot BBQ situated right in the way of the main thoroughfare of traffic, or near where the kids play – chargrilled football anyone?
It’s worth considering sunlight too. Perhaps you love heat and can think of nothing better than flipping burgers basking in the full beam of the sun’s rays. But if that sounds too hot to handle, then try to identify a shadier spot.
Distance from the house is an important factor too. Ideally, you don’t want your barbecue too far away from the kitchen or you’ll spend forever hauling food back and forth. But go too close and you risk smoke blowing inside.
What will you be cooking?
It might sound like a strange question to ask but these days, when it comes to outdoor cooking, anything goes and there’s been a huge rise in the popularity of pizza ovens. If pizza is a favourite in your family then why not include a pizza oven in your plans, alongside – or instead of – a BBQ? They’re great for cooking bread and wide range of other tasty food too – and they look fab!
Who are your cooking for?
Catering for one or planning an area that’s ideal for parties and big celebrations? More people means more cooking space is needed, so factor this into your design. Building storage and surfaces to rest utensils and food is worthwhile too.
Where will you sit?
If you’re picturing your BBQ area as a part of a bigger design, then you’ll want to think about seating too. If there’s space, a separate area for comfortable seating and for dining is the ultimate option. Raised platforms and varied levels are a good way of subtly defining zones.
Provide shelter
Hands up if you’ve been forced to cook under an umbrella before? Yep, us too. Thanks to the unreliable British weather, most of us have had to don waterproofs and brave the elements. But, whilst you can’t control the weather you can control how it impacts your barbecuing. How? By building a shelter.
Not only will a purpose built canopy help to keep you dry and prevent soggy sausages, but they can look the part too. It also means your outdoor area can be enjoyed all year round – making it BBQ day, every day!
Using the right materials
Here at HR Composites, we offer a fantastic range of composite decking, ideal for creating bespoke areas for outdoor cooking and entertaining. Not only can our decking boards be used to build great areas for barbecuing but, thanks to the fact they’re lightweight, durable and easy to work with, they can easily be used to construct shelters, seating areas, storage, and much more. And, whilst we can’t guarantee you won’t burn your sausages, we can promise that our composite decking will offer you a lifetime of enjoyment.
Take a look at the range we have available or talk to the team on 01695 557 711, email info@hrcomposites.co.uk or fill in our contact form and we’ll be back in touch.
