Using Your Masonry BBQ

At first your new Masonry BBQ may still hold some of the moisture from the manufacturing process, so don’t worry if the BBQ turns a slightly lighter colour after a few uses as the fire will dry out the last bit of moisture. We recommend lighting small fires at first to gradually dry the aggregate and materials out. If the BBQ is dried too quickly micro cracks may form. This will not affect your barbecue’s performance but is easily avoided if care is taken. For best practise follow this procedure each season as moisture may be absorbed over particularly wet periods. 

It is important to only use Charcoal as a fuel unless stated otherwise. If wood is used as a fuel overtime the chimney will become discoloured and blocked with soot and tar effecting the air flow and aesthetic. It also creates too much heat and may crack the chimney. Briquettes or lump wood charcoal are the best fuel to use as they burn much cleaner. All our Masonry BBQs come equipped with a charcoal grate so ash can be brushed through the grate into the removable ash tray below for easy cleaning. 

All of our BBQs have plenty of airflow to assist in lighting the charcoal. However, if you struggle, use either an electric charcoal lighter or a chimney charcoal starter. Both are easy to use and give great tasting results. If you use other flammable liquids on the charcoal to aid lighting, this often gives food a chemical taste when cooking and alters the natural taste of your cooked meat. 

Once you have built your Masonry BBQ there are plenty of additional extras we can supply to ensure you get the best outdoor cooking experience from your barbecue. Some include a manual rotisserie for cooking delicious meat basted in its own juices. We can also supply a range of extra grill grids, grill baskets and skewers. Check on the product page to establish which BBQs are compatible. Our Mediterrani Barbecue range are all compatible with a specially designed pizza oven insert which can be fitted into the grilling area for cooking homemade pizza on your BBQ. Great fun for all the family and tasty too! 

If you have one of our Masonry BBQs at home and want to share a photo of it with us please send your photos to info@gardengiftshop.co.uk we’d love to see them. Some of the best may even get featured on our website.