In collaboration with BBQ Québec
While some people grill all year long, the BBQ is primarily used during the summer months. To inspire you and start off the season on the right foot, we’ve put together the ultimate guide with tips for cleaning your BBQ, the must-have accessories, and the latest grilling trends. Not to mention a whole bunch of tips and tricks, courtesy of top BBQ experts: BBQ Québec!Five steps to a cleaner BBQ
Did the cold catch you off guard in November, leaving you with no time to properly clean your BBQ before storing it away for the winter? Don’t panic! BBQ Québec has step-by-step instructions on how to get your BBQ summer-ready in no time!- Remove the propane tank and ensure it is properly closed. Next, remove the grills and anything else that is easy to take off (think heat diffusers, grease tray, and, if possible, burners).
- In a large bin filled with hot water, pour a good amount of degreaser, and let the grills soak for five minutes. Using gloves, scrub the grills with a brush adapted to their structure (stainless steel or cast iron), making sure to remove any residue stuck on their surface. Rinse thoroughly.
- Next, clean the inside of your BBQ. Still wearing your gloves, scrub the dirt encrusted on the burners with a degreaser and brush.
- Finish by cleaning the cover and other exterior surfaces (shelves, handles, buttons, cart, etc.). You can spray such surfaces with a degreaser, let soak 5 minutes, and rinse.
- Finally, verify that the nozzles are clear of rust, grease, and spider webs, and that your cooking utensils are clean and ready to go. You can clean the latter in a mixture of hot water and vinegar to remove any rust spots.
Must-have accessories
Cooking on the BBQ is no longer limited to hot-dogs and hamburgers. In fact, chefs are constantly coming up with new ways to use the BBQ: to smoke large cuts of meat (brisket) or fish, bake pizza, and even desserts!
Depending on your level of expertise and passion, here are a few accessory suggestions that will help you up your grill game:
– Beginner: For perfect doneness every time, a cooking thermometer with probe is essential. Simply insert it into the centre part of your meat and refer to a cooking chart for grilled food.
– Intermediate: For curious grillers who like to try new cooking methods, the BBQ presto is a must! This accessory lets you smoke ingredients, such as ribs, on any type of BBQ.
– Expert: Fans of charcoal BBQs will love the All-in-1, a new accessory that lets you transform your BBQ into a pizza oven, smoker, bread oven, or rotisserie. Plus, it’s 100% made in Quebec!
Get inspired for a BBQ season that’s hot, hot, hot!
In the mood to spice things up this BBQ season? BBQ Québec invites you to step off the beaten path with versatile marinades and recipe ideas that are sure to impress your guests. For your vegetarian friends, try making pizza on your BBQ. A dish that brings everyone together, pizza is a festive and easy meal that you can make using whatever ingredients you have on hand. Naan bread makes a great base for a Margarita-style pizza featuring fresh, local tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil. Easy as 1, 2, 3 and delicious as can be!
Summer is synonymous with impromptu get-togethers, so it’s best to have a few last-minute dinner tricks up your sleeve! Some great options include BBQ Québec ready-to-cook marinated fish, available at Rachelle-Béry, or BBQ Québec dry rubs (in flavours such as California, Texas, and Tex-Mex), which pair perfectly with fish, veggies, red meat, poultry, and tofu!
The California dry rub, for example, is great for adding flavour to pizza sauce, seasoning diced and grilled tomatoes, or elevating your steak or tofu. It’s the ultimate chef’s secret when it comes to upping your grill game!
