A guide to grilling on the go

Summer is a great opportunity to get outside and do some cooking in the wild. But when on the road, things don’t always go as planned. The key to a successful barbecue away from home is preparation. 

Here’s your guide to barbecuing on the go: from packing, preparation and starting the grill, all the way to clean-up. 

Safety first! 

It’s vital to be safe around a barbecue. And when you’re using your barbecue out in the wild, making responsible choices is even more crucial. It’s important to be considerate of wildlife and other holidaymakers.

When setting up the perfect cooking location there’s a few things you need to consider: 

• Check regulations – Always double check barbecues are permitted in the location you’ve selected. 
• Safe set-up – Where you place your barbecue should be mindful of the surroundings. Make sure your barbecue is flat and stable, far away from vegetation and on non-combustible ground. 
• Weather conditions – Strong winds can fan flames and spread lit embers. Only use a barbecue if the weather is safe to do so. 
• Be attentive – The barbecue must constantly be supervised by a responsible adult. 
• Emergency supplies – It’s a good idea to keep a bucket of water, sand or extinguisher nearby should the barbecue grow out of control.  

What to pack for the road 

There are three categories of gear to pack when grilling on the go: the essentials, food storage, and clean-up. Being prepared in all these categories guarantee your barbecues are stress-free and easy to get started. 

The essentials: 

• Portable grill
• Fuel – Briquettes for charcoal BBQs or propane canisters for gas
• A lighter, newspaper and cooking oil to get the chimney starter burning
• A chimney starter for charcoal BBQs 
• Cooking tools – A spatula, long-handled tongs, a meat thermometer, heat-resistant gloves  

Food preparation: 

• Food cooler and ice for raw meats and fresh ingredients
• Foil packets for easy serving
• Versatile ingredients 

Clean-up: 

• Wire brush for cleaning the grill after every meal
• Bin bags 
• Sponges, dish soap and paper towels for cleaning plates 

Prepping your ingredients 

To make cooking outdoors as simple as possible it’s a good idea to prepare the food at home then pack in a cooler to transport it to the cooking site. This makes for minimal clean-up and gets you grilling quicker. 

Here’s some tips for barbecuing made easy: 

• Store meat and vegetables in resealable plastic bags to marinate before putting them into the cooler. That way they can soak up all that good flavour on the way. 
• Pre-cut vegetables, cube meats and pre-make burger patties before setting off. You can even sort them into portions so they’re ready to throw on the grill. 
• Transport ready made meals in foil packets. Throwing some veggies, oil and seasoning into a foil packet and grilling it on a BBQ makes sorting sides easy. 
• Assemble kebabs and skewers prior to grilling. Store them in the cooler until they’re needed. 
• Stackable containers are great for pre-portioning meals or keeping raw meat and other ingredients separate. 

Getting fired up 

Once you’ve found a safe space to light your barbecue and you have your food and equipment ready, it’s time to get fired up. 

The easiest way to get a charcoal barbecue going is to use a chimney starter. 

1. Put scrunched up newspaper and a little oil at the bottom of the starter. 
2. Fill the top with coals. 
3. Light the bottom.
4. Wait for the coals to become grey and ashy, then simply load the barbecue with coal and you’re ready to go. 

Gas barbecues need to be connected to a portable gas canister to heat up. The small canisters are usually connected directly to the regulator and flow to a burner tube, producing flames.

Cleaning up

A thorough clean-up after a barbecue reduces risk of forest fires, harm to wildlife, and littering fines. To make sure you leave no damage post-barbecue:

• Check your barbecue is completely extinguished. Pour water over the coals and repeat until they’re cool to the touch. 
• Clean the grates so as not to attract animals to the scent. 
• Dispose of waste properly. Do not throw hot ash into a bin, instead pour it over bare mineral soil or place in designated ash disposal bins. 
• Take all rubbish with you if there are no communal waste bins. 

Final thoughts 

Barbecuing in the wild can be a fantastic experience. With proper prep and a good clean-up, it turns grilling on the go into a fun family activity. Plus, it helps you connect with nature. 

Enjoy the outdoors this summer! Just be aware of your surroundings and protect wildlife while cooking al fresco.