The Rain Based BBQ

Yes folks, it’s that time of year – the BBQ season – despite the fact we live in England and if you look outside (assuming you’re not actually outside right now),  it will most likely be RAINING.  If it’s not raining, it probably looks like rain, feels like rain, and could start at any minute.  If you’re in Scotland you’ve probably not taken your wellies off for months.

We’re British, it’s what we do.  In London we watched the queen’s jubilee pageant float by in the pouring rain, waving our soggy flags, slipping on the sodden grass and loving every minute of it.   Street parties up and down the land went ahead despite the weather, tables laden with jam sandwiches and damp fairy cakes, and a good time was had by all.

So, you’re having a bbq next weekend and it’s probably going to rain.  So what you can you do to make sure your sausages don’t sog and your jugs of PIMM’s don’t take on water?  Plan ahead boys, that’s what you do, plan ahead.  Think bbq accessories – not just some giant ‘boys and their toys’ bbq tongs that also open beer bottles (although they are actually a brilliant invention and their creator deserves a big thumbs up) – but practical stuff that’ll make your job as host with the most that much easier.

Shelter.  Very important, infact, the most important ingredient of a rain based bbq. 

The bbq host who plans ahead will buy one of these, a pop up gazebo.  He will have carefully measured his garden first, if it’s on the small side, to ensure the gazebo is the right size. 

The bbq host who has not planned ahead will be hunting for a golf brolly that may or may not get blown inside out by the wind.

BBQ.  A gas bbq is not ‘cheating’ and the bbq host who plans ahead will have one of these, a gas grill that will keep going at the same temperature until the last sausage has been cremated.

The host who has not planned ahead has probably left his charcoal outside, and is desperately trying to light it with firelighters and lighter fluid which is a difficult one handed task bearing in mind you’re holding a golf brolly in the other.  Because it’s raining.

Heat.  If it’s raining, it’s probably not that warm in your garden.  This is not the tropics.  The host who has planned ahead might have one of these, a table top patio heater  which he places nonchalantly under his gazebo to keep all his dry guests warm and toasty while his sausages pleasingly sizzle away.

The host who has not planned ahead is trying to find spare jumpers for all his guests.  He still has a golf brolly in one hand and lighter fluid in the other and is trying not to sob.  He later discovers that his guests don’t need spare jumpers as they all appear to have gone to the pub.

Keep Calm and Plan Ahead.  Works a treat.