Whether you choose a charcoal or a gas barbecue there are then various accessories that will prove essential to your cooking, keeping it clean and protecting it from the elements.

First of all, cooking accessories; you can buy these in sets or individually. Naturally make sure you choose utensils that have long handles so that your hands do not get too close to the heat. Essential items are:-

Brushes – one for applying oil to the grill bars so that food does not stick and another for basting food as it cooks.

Tongs – better to have two pairs, one for handling raw, and one for cooked food.

Slice – ideal for turning over burgers which may not be so easy with the tongs especially if they burgers are quite soft.

Griddle – can be used to cook small items of food that would easily slip through the bars of the grill; the kind with holes or slots in also allows the unique barbecue taste to get to the food.

Skewers – for making your own kebabs; bamboo kebab sticks should be soaked first, metal ones get very hot but the flat variety will help stop the food spinning around on the skewer. You can always thread food on two parallel skewers so that it will be held more firmly.

You might also consider a long oven glove or gauntlet for picking up hot skewers or trays; a spray bottle to help dampen down flames; hinged wire racks can be used to enclose fish or sausages so they don’t fall through the grill or stick.

Once the barbecue is over, the food all gone (and the wine drunk!) you then have the task of cleaning the barbecue itself. First of all make sure that it has completely cooled down – this may take until the next day.

With a charcoal barbeque use a wire brush to get rid of food residues and grease from the grill before washing with hot soapy water – some are small enough to fit in a dishwasher. You may want to use a proprietary oven cleaner from time to time to keep it in good condition; this can be said for the rest of the barbeque not just the rack. Remove the cold ashes and brush out the fine dust, replace the hood and store until next time.

Before packing away a gas barbecue always clean the rack, lid, drip trays and burners. Lava rocks need to be washed occasionally in hot soapy water to prevent food and grease build-up, eventually though they will need to be replaced to prevent tainting of future food. The outside can be cleaned when necessary by wiping down with hot soapy water.

Once you have gone to all the trouble of cleaning it you will want to store it away from the elements to keep it in tip-top condition. The best way to do this is to buy a good quality cover, these are usually made from strong PVC backed rot-proof polyester, some have ties to prevent them being blown off. Even if you store your barbecue in an outbuilding, a cover will help to keep out dust and debris.

Looking after your barbecue in this way will ensure it will give you many years’ service and many hours of barbecuing fun.

A barbecue is a great way to spend some time but if you are looking for a great day out take a look at the hundreds of interesting things to do at the weekend that can be purchased as a gift or for yourself from My Outdoor Store. Follow the link to discover our vast selection of days out ideas.

Author's Bio: 

Bruno Blackstone is a freelance writer interested in all things to do with the outdoors and helping others get the most from the outdoors. Starting with a psychology degree his early career was as a social worker and family therapist working with families to help them achieve more positive and stable relationships. In his more recent career he has coached many senior executives in both small and large organisations in areas such as strategy, human resources, organisational design and performance improvement. He now continues his work in the business world but he is also co-owner of My Outdoor Store a price comparison site for outdoor enthusiasts.