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These are the 7 most common barbecue mistakes

These are the 7 most common barbecue mistakes

It's real barbecue weather again! So bring out that barbecue and let's grill! But make sure you don't make these 7 mistakes with barbecuing, because that would of course be a shame!

1. Choosing the wrong method

There are many different ways to grill food on a barbecue. Let's start with the different types of barbecues out there – charcoal, gas, electric, you name it. Each of these barbecues requires a different method of preparation. For example, you have to grill much more actively with charcoal, because the heat is not constant there. Are you a barbecue novice? Then it is better to opt for a gas barbecue.

Read also :'Recipe for pizza with red lentils from the barbecue'

2. Opening the lid too often

It is natural to regularly check how the food we are barbecuing is doing. But that can mean that it takes longer for your food to cook. You can compare the barbecue to an oven:every time you open the door (or lid, in this case), heat escapes and the temperature drops considerably. Do you grill things that need to be cooked in a short time? Then keep the lid closed!

3. Moving/turning your food too fast

When you've put your food on the grid, don't miss it! Many products take time to cook – especially meat, chicken and fish products – and every time you move them, they have to get hot inside again. If you notice your product coming off the grid, they are ready to be flipped. Whatever you do, never push things on the grid.

4. Pairing your food with the wrong wine

Thanks to the higher temperatures in the summer, it is an easy assumption to drink a crisp white wine or rosé with your barbecued foods. But there are also red wines that fit perfectly with your grilled food, especially if you also have meat on the grill. Therefore, choose the wine for exactly what you are grilling, then the flavor combination is the best.

5. Making cleaning more difficult than it needs to be

The cleaning process of the barbecue is almost enough reason not to use it. Or not? By spreading grill spray or olive oil on the grid before you start barbecuing, you can prevent your products from sticking to the grid, making it easier to clean. It is also wise to clean the grid with a brush while it is still hot. If you wait until it has cooled down, it will take longer before you can get it clean.

6. Do not measure the temperature

We often misjudge when a product is ready when we go to barbecue. Even if a product has been sitting on it for as long as recommended or if you see clear grill marks, that does not mean that the product is actually cooked. And of course you don't want to run the risk that your family will get sick from the food that is not yet cooked properly… Use a food thermometer and check whether your foods have already reached the recommended temperature before you serve them.

7. Assuming all vegetables have the same cooking time

When grilling delicate items like vegetables, there are a few things you can do to ensure well-grilled vegetables. Provide a vegetable rack on your barbecue, which prevents vegetables from falling through the grid. Therefore, do not cut your vegetables too small, because in addition to falling through, they can also grill too quickly. And don't forget to keep in mind that not all vegetables have the same cooking time. It is best to prepare similar vegetables together:broccoli and cauliflower go perfectly together, potatoes and asparagus have a completely different preparation time.