1 Planning

Getting organised early is a must for success. A barbecue needs plenty of time and so does preparation. Consider the time required for marinating and for lighting up the charcoal.

2 Quality charcoal

Always choose a good quality charcoal. The DIN plus logo is a good guide when choosing.

Always use a charcoal starter to light up.

Instructions: Simply fill it with coals and light them from below using a suitable lighting aid. Position it into the charcoal retainer of the grill. After about 30 minutes, a white layer of ash will build up on the upper coals. The charcoal is now ready for use and can be transferred directly onto the grill’s receptacle.

3 Lighting aids

When choosing a lighting aid, make sure it is expressly suitable for charcoal.

4 Hot and cool zones of the grill

Having set the menu, consider how to best arrange the charcoal.

When quick grilling, prepare the grill for direct heat (needs up to 20 minutes).

Roasts, chicken and similar specialties should be indirectly grilled.

Organize hot and cool zones so that food can be quickly moved if things get too hot.

5 Preparing meat

Never grill meat taken directly from the refrigerator. Always leave it to acclimatise for 30 minutes covered in foil.

6 Tools

Professional grill utensils ensure a
pleasant cooking experience. It’s
useful to have utensils from stainless
steel with handles of at least 40 cm in
length. Utensils from other materials
are likely to rust when used outside
or put into a dishwasher.

7 Oiling

To prevent the food sticking to the grate, always brush oil onto food shortly before grilling. Then the grate itself doesn’t need to be oiled.

8 No pricking

Never prod meat with a fork or knife. The juices will run out, rendering grilled food dry and leathery.

Tip: Use a turner or tongs instead.

9 Indirect grilling

When grilling indirectly, the lid of the kettle grill must stay closed. Continuous opening leads to a loss of heat and interruption of the cooking process. Patience is important.

A roasting thermometer can be helpful for keeping a careful eye on developments.

10 Protective cover

When you’re not using your grill, shield it with a weatherproof protective cover that allows moisture to escape. Rainwater may otherwise interact with charcoal remnants and build up a corrosive acid which could damage the grill.