We'd love to hear from you, drop us a text!A Somerset Grill transforms a backyard into a theatre of flames, smoke, and sizzle. Owen's new Argentine Asado-style cooker became the centerpiece of an unforgettable five-hour cooking session where we lost ourselves watching flames dance across carefully prepared meats. The adjustable grates allow precise temperature control as wood burns down to perfect cooking embers – a dramatic departure from standard charcoal grilling that connects you to cooking's primal roots.We put Brewdog's new barbecue rubs and sauces to the test on chicken wings, finding their Punk IPA-inspired sauce deliciously fruity while their hot sauce proved disappointingly vinegary. The Somerset Grill showed its versatility as we moved from homemade sausages to gammon joint and even a whole pineapple that caramelized beautifully when placed directly on glowing embers.Cooking mishaps make for the best stories, and Dan's work barbecue disaster didn't disappoint. Despite careful planning and budgeting for 40 hungry colleagues, he somehow managed to leave the burger shop without actually purchasing any burgers – leaving 48 buns but zero patties! Thankfully, his backup sausages saved the day.The UK barbecue community continues growing with festivals like Smoke and Fire Ascot drawing crowds, while barbecue tourism gains momentum as enthusiasts organize Texas tours to experience authentic pit cooking at its source. Looking ahead, we're excited about the Big Barbecue Community Cookout this October – a bring-your-own-everything gathering where passionate grillers will share knowledge, techniques and undoubtedly a few cooking failures.We'd love to connect with small businesses and innovators in the barbecue space – reach out through our website or social media to share what you're seeing in this vibrant community. Until next time, keep those fires burning and don't forget to actually buy your burgers!Sponsored by AOS KitchensAOS Kitchens are a leading outdoor kitchen design and installation specialists based in Hampshire
Thermapen Electronic Temperature ProbesThermapen thermometers are designed to take the guesswork out of cooking perfect for your BBQDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showIf you want to get involved and showcase your cooks or fails, join our Facebook Group.For all of our other episodes you can listen or watch them on our website.
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37:26
Fire Up Your Confidence: Everything You Need to Know for Your First BBQ Adventure
We'd love to hear from you, drop us a text!Thinking about firing up the barbecue but feeling a bit intimidated? You're not alone. In this practical, no-nonsense guide to barbecue basics, Dan and Owen demystify the essentials that every beginner needs to know before approaching the grill.The cornerstone of successful barbecuing isn't expensive equipment or complex techniques—it's understanding a few fundamental principles. First and foremost: invest in a good meat thermometer. This simple tool removes all guesswork from your cooking and ensures food safety. For chicken (a fantastic starting point for beginners), remember "75 stay alive" in Celsius as your target internal temperature.Two-zone cooking emerges as perhaps the most valuable technique in your arsenal. By arranging your coals on one side of the grill, you create both a searing hot zone and a gentler indirect cooking area that functions like an outdoor oven. This simple approach transforms everything from chicken to sausages, delivering restaurant-quality results with minimal effort.Beyond meat, we explore the incredible world of barbecued vegetables—from stuffed peppers and charred lettuce quarters to jacket potatoes that develop an almost magical nutty flavor when nestled among the coals. Vegetarian options abound, with Dan even accepting a challenge to barbecue seitan for an upcoming event!Throughout our conversation, one theme remains constant: don't be intimidated. Even professional establishments sometimes serve subpar barbecue (as evidenced by our "cooking in the wild" horror stories). The difference is that you're cooking for pleasure and continuously improving your skills with each session at the grill.Ready to transform your outdoor cooking game? Subscribe now for weekly tips, techniques and inspiration to help you become a backyard barbecue hero!Support the showIf you want to get involved and showcase your cooks or fails, join our Facebook Group.For all of our other episodes you can listen or watch them on our website.
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36:09
The passion for barbecue never truly dies, it just needs a spark
We'd love to hear from you, drop us a text!After a barbecue hiatus that left their grills gathering dust, Owen and Dan reunite with renewed passion for the flame. This candid conversation captures that magical moment when the spark returns to a beloved hobby – something many enthusiasts will recognize in their own journeys with outdoor cooking.The episode takes an unexpected turn when Owen sheepishly admits that just weeks after declaring he didn't need any new equipment, he's purchased his most expensive barbecue ever – a Somerset Grill for live fire cooking. His excitement is infectious as he describes seasoning it for the first time, planning its maiden voyage, and the possibilities it opens for his cooking repertoire. This confession perfectly captures the irresistible pull of new barbecue equipment that many listeners will recognize in themselves.Both hosts share laugh-out-loud cooking fails that prove even podcast hosts make mistakes. Owen recounts burning his lip on molten chili jam that had been cooking on burgers, while Dan admits to completely forgetting about foil-wrapped potatoes that he discovered, rock solid, weeks later at the bottom of his barbecue. The highlight comes when Dan introduces "Cooking in the Wild" – a hilarious story about queuing for food at a farm shop while the wooden hut housing their fire cage was literally catching fire, perfectly capturing the absurd moments that can happen around outdoor cooking.Whether you're a seasoned pitmaster or occasional griller, this conversation celebrates the return of barbecue season and the joy of rediscovering passion for the flame. The hosts invite listeners to share their own barbecue fails and stories, building community around shared experiences – both triumphs and disasters. As warmer days approach, this episode will leave you eager to uncover your grill and embrace the excitement of a new barbecue season.Sponsored by AOS KitchensAOS Kitchens are a leading outdoor kitchen design and installation specialists based in Hampshire
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showIf you want to get involved and showcase your cooks or fails, join our Facebook Group.For all of our other episodes you can listen or watch them on our website.
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32:38
Barbecue Basics: Essential Guide for First-Timers
We'd love to hear from you, drop us a text!Ready to dive into the world of barbecue but feeling overwhelmed by all the options and techniques? We've got you covered. This episode strips away the complexity and focuses on the absolute essentials every barbecue beginner needs to know.Starting with equipment, we make a strong case for why a kettle barbecue with a lid and thermometer should be your first purchase. This versatile setup allows you to try everything from direct grilling to low-and-slow smoking without breaking the bank. We explain how to check if your thermometer is accurate (hint: it involves boiling water) and why understanding your barbecue's temperature is fundamental to success.Mastering temperature control is the next hurdle for beginners, so we break down the science of vent management in straightforward terms. Think of your bottom vent as an accelerator and the top vent as the system that pulls air through—simple adjustments between these two create the perfect cooking environment for any dish.When it comes to fuel, we're passionate advocates for quality charcoal over gas for that authentic barbecue experience. Our detailed explanation of the differences between lumpwood and briquettes will help you choose the right fuel for different cooking scenarios. Plus, we share why a chimney starter and natural firelighters are game-changers that make lighting your barbecue faster, easier, and free from chemical flavors.The most valuable advice in this episode might be our passionate endorsement of meat thermometers. "Cook to temperature, not to time" becomes your new mantra as we explain how thermometers eliminate guesswork and ensure perfectly cooked, safe food every time. We even share specific temperature targets for different meats to get you started.Whether you're buying your first barbecue or looking to get back to basics, this episode provides a clear roadmap to success without unnecessary complications. Listen, learn, and you'll be grilling with confidence before you know it.Have you already started your barbecue journey? Connect with us on social media and share your essential tips for beginners!Sponsored by AOS KitchensAOS Kitchens are a leading outdoor kitchen design and installation specialists based in Hampshire
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showIf you want to get involved and showcase your cooks or fails, join our Facebook Group.For all of our other episodes you can listen or watch them on our website.
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25:36
Rekindling the Flame: Back to Barbecue Basics
We'd love to hear from you, drop us a text!After a refreshing eight-month break, we're finally back at the grills and ready to reconnect with our barbecue community! This comeback episode delves into why we needed time away and how we've been rekindling our passion for outdoor cooking.Dan shares his experiences moving house and setting up a new barbecue sanctuary—from positioning his Monolith ceramic grill to adding a Blackstone griddle and Gozney Rock Box to his arsenal. Meanwhile, Owen reveals his deep dive into the craft of sausage making, curing his own bacon, and exploring the possibility of turning his passion into a small-batch artisanal side business.We take you along to our recent visit to Sean "Irish Egg's" new barbecue school launch in the picturesque Norfolk countryside, where we sampled incredible brisket dishes and connected with fellow barbecue enthusiasts. The experience reminded us why we love this community—it's about far more than just cooking food outdoors.Both of us share candid thoughts about social media fatigue and how the pressure to document every cook began overshadowing our enjoyment of barbecuing. Dan admits deliberately stepping away from posting online to rediscover cooking for personal satisfaction rather than external validation—a sentiment many passionate hobbyists will understand.Looking ahead, we're shifting our podcast format to feature more casual conversations between the two of us, peppered with guest interviews. We're excited to explore barbecue restaurants, attend events, and engage more deeply with you, our community.Whether you're firing up your first kettle grill or managing an impressive collection of smokers, we're thrilled to be back sharing this journey. Subscribe now and join the conversation—we'd love to hear what you've been cooking while we've been away!Sponsored by AOS KitchensAOS Kitchens are a leading outdoor kitchen design and installation specialists based in Hampshire
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showIf you want to get involved and showcase your cooks or fails, join our Facebook Group.For all of our other episodes you can listen or watch them on our website.
A podcast discussing all things BBQ co hosted by two BBQ obsessed social bloggers Owen & Dan. Every week we are joined by guest from around the BBQ community on social media to find out why they love to barbecue. The show is for anyone who has an interest in barbecue and to hear about other peoples experiences good and bad and what equipment people use to get their best cooks.
Österreich