
Four in 10 Brits have never used their grill for fear of BBQ 'head chefs'
Summer is here and the sun's been shining, which means many Brits are firing up the BBQ.
But that doesn't mean we're cooking on them. That's because 40% have never even used their BBQ - mainly because someone else takes over, according to a new study. Sausages, burgers, kebabs, and corn on the cobs might be the order of the day, but many of us don't get a look in when it comes to the grill. A staggering 62% have someone that takes over when it comes to the BBQ, however one in three (32%) secretly want to take over the role of head chef.
While grilled food is a tasty addition to our summer menus, it's also a bone of contention in many households, with over a quarter (28%) admitting to arguing over who is the best BBQ chef in their house, according to the Ninja poll. But many people are intimidated by cooking on a BBQ, with more than a third (36%) of people wanting to BBQ more but lack the confidence.
Radio DJ and BBQ lover Chris Stark, loves to cook on the grill and has shared his top tips to smash it on the BBQ this year. 'If you know me, then you know I absolutely love a BBQ – and yes I have been guilty of taking over,' he says.
'If you're sick of being overshadowed by the BBQ connoisseur of your household, or you want the confidence to try al fresco cooking for yourself, then I've given some super simple tips and tricks on how anyone can become the BBQ connoisseur in no time, particularly if you have the help of easy to use equipment such as the Ninja Woodfire Electric BBQ Grill & Smoker.'
Fire up the grill and become an ultimate BBQ supremo with Chris' top tips
Use a food thermometer: A lot of people don't have one to hand when cooking outdoors but for me it's essential for BBQ cooking, even better if your BBQ has one that's built in.
Rest the meat! This is a step that people often overlook. Barbecued meat should rest for as long as it's cooked. Equally you should always bring any meat to room temperature before cooking.
Smokiness is the beauty of a BBQ. Depending on what BBQ you are using, wood chips or pellets are a must have addition for that gorgeous smokey flavour.
Sharpen your knives: Invest in good quality and make sure they're sharpened ahead of the day. No one wants to use a blunt knife!
Say cheese: I'm a big fan of cheese and over the years I've tried a variety of different ones on the BBQ. Don't be shy to get creative! Ditch the standard cheddar and try Raclette - a great option for cheeseburgers or even pizzas. The Ninja Artisan Electric Outdoor Pizza Oven & Air Fryer is an outdoor oven that is perfect for cooking pizzas within 3 minutes in the summer months.

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Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
I tested the best supermarket low alcohol booze – light & luscious winning wine was like pudding in a glass
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Many wine, beer and even spirits are now available in 'mid-strength' options for those who wish to cut down the units while still clinking a glass. But which lower ABV drinks deliver and which disappoint? Here, drinks expert Helena Nicklin gives her verdict. 19 Crimes Mid-strength Red 75cl, 7% ABV, £8, Sainsbury's - 2/5 WHERE do I start with this bottle of lower ABV red from the 19 Crimes brand? Well, on the plus side, this is indeed a lower alcohol wine at 7% ABV so it ticks the box for anyone who wants a glass of red, but less boozy. 9 19 Crimes Mid-strength Red 75cl scored 2 out of 5 Credit: Sainsburys However… it is also a great example of why you just can't simply de-alcoholise a normal wine and leave it. Why? Because it will taste unbalanced, acidic and cooked – just like this one. Add to that some fake-tasting vanilla and that's what you get here. Why Guinness tastes better in Ireland It's expensive too, as you are paying for the same name. Not the best! Small Beer: The Original 350ml, 2.1% ABV, £2.20, Majestic - 5/5 THE boys at the Small Beer brewery, located in South London, created this brand years ago with the sole aim of making properly drinkable, lower alcohol 'session' beers – so they had to be good. That's a promising way to start when you want to create something decent for drinkers who want lower booze levels to sip – and the results are super. 9 Small Beer: The Original scored full marks Credit: Majestic This perky Pilsner-style brew is light and hoppy, with lots of flavour. It is seriously refreshing and just right for a light buzz without the bad head. Well worth the few extra pennies, especially when compared to some other low-beer brands. Beavertown Satellite Super Session IPA 330ml, 2.8% ABV, £1.56 (£6.25 x 4), Sainsbury's - 3/5 BEAVERTOWN is a great brand for reliable beers of all shapes and styles. This brewery has a wonderfully creative image and this eye-catching can offers an IPA with a lot of flavour punch – from citrussy bitter hops to fresh florals, which make up for the lower ABV. 9 Beavertown Satellite Super Session IPA scored 3 out of 5 Credit: Sainsburys It might be too soapy and punchy flavour-wise for some drinkers, but traditional IPA drinkers should love it. What's great about this is you can just pick it up and chuck it in your trolley when you are in the supermarket and it won't cost you a fortune. So, it makes drinking 'low' easy and accessible. Summer in a glass! Mid-strength Val De Loire Blanc 75cl, 8.4% ABV, £7.75, Sainsbury's Taste The Difference - 4/5 SAINSBURY'S was the first supermarket to create its own range of mid-strength wines, and this tangy little number is lower on the alcohol – but to drink it's fab. 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The gin masters at Hayman's came up with this light gin concept way before it was trendy and, honestly, it works brilliantly – and it's cheaper than regular gin, too. 9 Hayman's London Light Gin scored full marks Credit: Tesco The key here is doubling down on the juniper and botanicals so that when you mix it with tonic, you really have no idea that the ABV is lighter. You get all that gorgeous gin taste, it pairs perfectly and it's very pretty too. Pour this into your balloon glass and it'll hit the spot even for hardened gin connoisseurs. The pretty packaging also means it makes a great gift.


North Wales Live
7 hours ago
- North Wales Live
Brits only wear half their wardrobe each year - and here's why
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Daily Record
10 hours ago
- Daily Record
'Perfect' travel mug that 'keeps ice cold for hours' now 30% off
The mug is similar to viral favourites and is perfect for cooling summer drinks On hot summer days, nothing is quite as refreshing as an ice cold drink. But when the temperatures are really soaring, it can feel like ice melts in an instant and a once-cold drink becomes lukewarm and horrible in no time at all. That's where a quality insulated tumbler comes in - they can help keep drinks nice and cold for hours, meaning buyers can have a refreshing icy beverage to sip on throughout the day with no risk of discovering a nasty room-temperature surprise. Now, shoppers on the hunt for a tumbler that keeps drinks deliciously cold can get a 30oz Tumbler with Handle for £14.41 on Amazon, down 30% from £20.59. Complete with a handle and straw, the large cup keeps drinks nice and cold - perfect for a crisp soda, icy cold squash or refreshing water. Crafted from stainless steel, the tumbler is coated in a colourful powder that makes it easy to spot from across a room. It has a screw-on lid to prevent spills, and a straw for easy sipping. Plus, the slim base allows it to fit into most cup holders - perfect for long drives. If this style isn't calling out to shoppers, they could try the Ninja Thirsti 700 ml Travel Bottle for £34.99 from Ninja. This one promises to keep cold drinks cool for up to 24 hours, and hot drinks warm for up to 12 hours, and purports to keep ice frozen for up to two days. Alternatively, there's the viral Stanley Quencher, which comes in a 0.89L capacity for £40 direct from Stanley. Available in a range of eye-catching colours, this one also has a straw and screw-on lid and double-wall vacuum insulation for cool drinks all the time. However, shoppers are loving the Amazon deal on the cooling tumbler. One buyer said: "A great product and well worth the money, I have started drinking a lot more water due to my weight loss programme and this saves me regular trips to the sink to the fill my glass up also, if I put ice in it, it will keep the water cool for a good few hours." Another added: "Great cup. Keeps my drink cold for hours. No spillages." A third said: "So pleased with this item. It's leak proof, and keeps drinks very hot...I burnt my tongue still after 1.5hrs! Keeps cold drinks cold. Very impressed and a fraction of the price of the name brands." However, some weren't as impressed, including one shopper who wrote: "Decent mug initially, I bought 3 however they are only right handed sip and one has just locked its lid on the cup and it's not budging no matter what so it's having to go in the bin. Now need to keep an eye on the other 2 in case they also do this." Another said: "We have had this mug for about a month wash it and clean it regularly, and there is mold, forming around the lid where it seals off the liquid."