How to choose the right barbecue

The summer barbecue is an indispensable ritual for many of us.

Barbecue

Preparing food with the aid of a barbecue is an original gastronomic experience, to be enjoyed in simple and informal company.

Synonymous with slow style conviviality, the barbecue represents a convivial moment to enjoy your free time to the fullest, without hurry.

Various types of barbecues, grills and griddles are available on the market, differing in shape and size.

In order to cook food properly outdoors, it is essential to know how it works and its characteristics, as only on the basis of this knowledge can we then make a wise purchase.

Of course, lighting a campfire and browning meat directly on the fire, with skewers, is a very 'cinematic' but also extremely uncomfortable alternative, hence the barbecues.

The different types of barbecue differ mainly in the type of fuel used for cooking, and the type of installation.

Charcoal, gas and electric barbecues

Based on the type of fuel, we distinguish between charcoal, gas and electric barbecues.

Ideal for obtaining smoky-tasting food, a charcoal or wood barbecue is composed of a steel or cast-iron brazier, vertical or horizontal, inside which the fuel is burned, a grill or griddle, on which meat and vegetables are placed for cooking, and a tilting lid with special air intakes to limit smoke emissions and keep the temperature constant, speeding up cooking times.

Before placing the food on the grill, it is necessary to wait for the wood or charcoal to reach the right temperature. Depending on the flavour you want to impart to the food, different types of fuel can be used.

Charcoal or wood-fired models can only be used outdoors and are often equipped with special windscreens.

An extremely practical and convenient solution, ideal for those who are about to use a barbecue for the first time, gas models are generally equipped with a cooker, a shelf, a brazier and a double grill.

Fuelled by LPG or methane gas normally supplied by the domestic distribution network, gas barbecues allow you to regulate the intensity of the heat needed for cooking, without producing ash and therefore making cleaning easier.

Alternative cooking surfaces to the grill, often supplied as complementary accessories, are volcanic rock slabs and cast iron, soapstone or lava plates.

Unlike charcoal models, gas barbecues allow food to be cooked almost immediately, without requiring special preparation or having to be operated well in advance.

Then there is the electric barbecue, which is ideal for griddle cooking at high temperatures and can also be used comfortably inside the home, as specific cooking systems prevent the formation of smoke.

Electric grills simply require the griddle to be preheated for about fifteen minutes.

Stationary, mobile and portable barbecues

Depending on the type of installation, we distinguish between fixed, mobile and portable barbecues. Classic fixed barbecues made of masonry offer excellent solidity, becoming an essential component of garden furniture.

Fixed barbecues are generally fuelled by charcoal or wood, but can also be gas or electric and are generally quite expensive. Pre-fabricated masonry barbecues can be found on the market.

Mobile barbecues with wheels are suitable for use both indoors and outdoors, on a terrace, veranda or in the garden.

If you need to move your barbecue from indoors to outdoors frequently, mobile models with wheels are the best solution.

Equipped with a special carrying case, portable barbecues are the easiest to transport to places other than your home.

To make the best use of your barbecue and optimise its cooking potential, you will need some indispensable tools.

To place and turn sausages and ribs on the grill, it is advisable to use tongs, while to lift more delicate foods, such as fish, vegetables and cheese, it is advisable to use a spatula.

To baste meat with sauces and seasonings, use a special kitchen brush with natural bristles, while to pierce the meat so that liquids can escape, we recommend the use of a fork.

To turn delicate food without breaking or dropping it, we recommend the use of a double grill with handles.