| My first experience of a barbecue was as a | | | | always remembered Douglas and his flaming trees. |
| seventeen year old at a friend'shouse. His farther, | | | | Apart from not erecting a cardboard frame around |
| Douglas, was an expert at barbecuing, with many | | | | your barbecue and keeping it well away from trees, |
| yearsexperience, we thought! It was a hot summers | | | | there are some simple rules to follow to ensure that |
| day but with a light breeze, so Douglas, with all that | | | | you start your charcoal barbecue in safety. |
| experience, decided to erect a cardboard frame | | | | If you're setting up a barbecue for the first time, |
| about one foot high around three sides of the | | | | read the instructions carefully first. |
| barbecue. The barbecue grill itself, which was fuelled | | | | Carefully choose where to set-up your barbecue. |
| with charcoal, was positioned next to, and | | | | Make sure that it's on level ground and don't try to |
| underneath, some trees in the back garden. Not | | | | move it once it's lit. |
| having seen a barbecue being lit before I was keen | | | | Don't attempt to start your barbecue in very high |
| to watch, and moved in closer. Douglas placed the | | | | winds. Not even with a cardboard frame! |
| firelighters in the grate, set fire to them and arranged | | | | Don't try to barbecue indoors. I know people that |
| the charcoal in a pyramid over them. A number of | | | | have tried to barbecue in a shed and in a garage! |
| years later I found out that this was the classic way | | | | Extremely dangerous. |
| to light a barbecue. Now, Douglas, in an attempt to | | | | Use proper firelighters to start your barbecue. |
| speed up the process uncovered his secret weapon | | | | They're better than rolled up paper and won't fly |
| and enthusiastically said "Lighter fuel, this will have the | | | | away in the wind. |
| barbecue going in seconds!" With the poise of a highly | | | | Only ever use purpose-made firelighters and fuel on |
| trained swordsman, Douglas sent a jet of lighter fuel | | | | your barbecue. Never use petrol, white spirit, or |
| through the air and across the whole length of the | | | | paraffin. Not only is it extremely dangerous but it also |
| barbecue. Douglas was right! The barbecue erupted | | | | taints the flavour of the food. |
| into flame. I was very impressed. Unfortunately, | | | | Everyone loves a barbecue but don't forget that the |
| seconds later so did the cardboard frame and then | | | | grill gets extremely hot. Follow the rules above and |
| the surrounding trees! Luckily there were enough of | | | | keep safety in mind. You'll experience a great |
| us there to safely put out the flames and to carry | | | | barbecue, your guests will have lots fun and you'll |
| on with the barbecue. | | | | enjoy yourself. |
| A few years later I began barbecuing for myself and | | | | |