How to safely have a BBQ with friends this summer according to the new rules

By Julia Bryce

July 10 2020, 10:30 am

Planning on having a socially distanced BBQ? Food Standards Scotland shares seven top tips on how to cook up a storm at home safely this summer.

We’ve pretty much come to the conclusion that for the summer holidays this year, most of us will be staying put.

But that doesn’t mean it can’t be just as fun. While the weather may be a little more temperamental (or a lot) in Scotland, the country has so much to offer.

With more and more people looking into staycations, or holidaying at home, it’s no surprise that many will be turning to the trusty barbecue to entertain guests as we head towards some new state of ‘normality’.

Lots more people will be entertaining at home this summer.

When preparing food for others, especially while socially distancing, it is important to be aware of food hygiene and safety – after all, you don’t want to send anyone home with food poisoning.

Industry body Food Standards Scotland (FSS) has shared some top advice on how to keep food hygiene and safety at the forefront of these get-togethers, making it easy for everyone to spot anything out of the ordinary.

While different households still have to socially distance from one another at two metres, outdoors, a household can meet up with four other households at a time with a maximum of 15 people allowed.

Indoors, however, a household can meet up to two other households at a time, with up to eight people allowed, and, they can also stay over. But note, a household can only meet up with four other households in any one day.

Food Standards Scotland scientific advisor, Dr Laura Evans.

FSS scientific advisor, Dr Laura Evans, shares her top tips and insight into how to keep safe while catching up with family and friends over a BBQ.

Seven top tips on how to have a successful BBQ

Use a food thermometer

By far the easiest thing you can do to make sure food is cooked properly is to use a food thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of the meat and it should reach 75°C or above if cooked. If you don’t have a food thermometer, cut into the meat to check it is steaming hot, there is no pink meat and the juices run clear.

Raw and cooked meats need to be kept separate

When you’re barbecuing, make sure you use different dishes for raw and cooked food. This helps avoid cross contamination. It’s also important to use separate utensils – one for raw food and one for cooked food.

Pre-cook meats in the kitchen first

Pre-cooking food in the oven first is a great way to have more control over cooking, then you can finish it off on the barbecue to get that nice chargrilled flavour.

Keep raw food in the fridge until you need it

A key thing is keeping raw food chilled until it’s needed. It’s really easy to take food out then forget about it but it’s important not to leave food out where it can get warm – especially on a summer’s day!

Rotate meat on your barbecue

I often remember eating chargrilled chicken drumsticks (i.e. burnt ones) dad had cooked on the BBQ – if you keep food rotating you can avoid his mistake and ensure that food is cooked evenly with no raw bits.

Throw away used marinades

I like to use a marinade to add flavour and tenderise meat. While the sauce might look yummy, it can’t be eaten after being on raw meat (without being cooked first) so don’t be tempted to re-use meat marinades for something like a salad dressing or on other ready-to-eat food.

If you’re cooking on charcoal, make sure it has reached the right temperature

For the purists out there, charcoal is the only way to do a barbecue. But it is important to give the coals time to glow red with a powdery grey surface rather than bursting with flames. Flames will burn your food rather than cook it through (remember my dad and the burnt chicken drumsticks), so it’s important to allow the barbecue enough time to heat up properly, even if you’re trying to cook everything before the rain comes on.