Top Tips For Mastering The BBQ | Sopwell House [ Hotel Blog ]
Sopwell House
Skip to primary naivgation Skip to content Contact
  • Gift Vouchers
  • Offers
Book now
Book a room Book afternoon tea Book Omboo Book the brasserie Book a treatment

Mastering The Barbecue

Our top tips for mastering the barbecue…

We’re now officially into the summer months and we all know what that means, time to uncover the BBQ.

Now if we’re honest, not all of us are the best barbecuers, perhaps because it’s not a skill we have to use year-round and we therefore haven’t mastered the art.

Cooking over an open flame requires concentration, penitence and at times guidance, so what better time than now to share with you our top tips for conquering all things BBQ.

Get the right BBQ – What works for you?
Committing to a gas or charcoal barbecue can be a difficult decision because they both come with their pros and cons. To put it simply, coals will give you that ultimate smoky BBQ flavour but you’ll have to be prepared for a longer wait whereas a gas BBQ can be heated in a matter of minutes but you might miss out on that authentic BBQ taste. Use your preferences to work out what will best suit you.

Start grilling when the time is right
If you’re using a coal BBQ, this can be particularly hard because it takes great patience to let every single coal to be white hot but waiting for this moment is vital. You’ll then be able to get a more accurate idea of how long your food needs to be on the grill for. You wouldn’t crack your eggs into a cold pan on the hob so why would you do that to your delicious BBQ food?

Test the temperature
Ever seen someone stood next to a BBQ with their hand over the top, perhaps nodding, suggesting it’s ready? Well, this actually means something. Turns out, the seconds in which you can hold your hand over a BBQ can indicate the level of heat it’s producing. It’s suggested that 6 seconds is a low heat, 4 seconds is a medium heat and 2 seconds is hot, hot, hot. Hopefully this will help to prevent any cremated sausages!

Marinade changes everything!
Now we understand that barbecues can sometimes be impromptu decisions but if you’re planning ahead, prepare to marinade the night before for ultimate flavour. A top tip for maximising this, is saving some of the marinade to brush on during the cooking process, this will help to lock in the flavours and when combined with that smoky BBQ flavour, will be mouth-wateringly delicious!

There you have it, some of our top tips for mastering the BBQ this summer season. So what are you waiting for, get grilling! Alternatively, let us help in hosting a BBQ for you… We’ve got a fantastic offer on summer BBQ packages from just £39.00 per person. Our events team are always on hand to provide you with more information, just call 01727 864477 or email us.

If you found this blog interesting, we think you’d love our newsletter where we share exclusive seasonal offers, delicious dining event information, useful lifestyle tips and more blogs but straight to your inbox. Sound good? Click the subscribe button below!

Want to get our latest news and offers first ?
Sign up to our newsletter

Sopwell House
Cottonmill Lane, St Albans, Hertfordshire AL1 2HQ
+44 (0) 1727 864477
enquiries@sopwellhouse.co.uk
View directions

  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • FAQ’s
  • Privacy & Cookie Policy
  • Modern Slavery Statement
  • Pay Gap Report

Connect with us

© 2022 Sopwell House. All Rights Reserved.
  • Sign up to our newsletter

    • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
    • Stay
      • Mansion House
      • Mews Suites
    • Dine
      • Omboo
      • The Brasserie
      • Afternoon Tea
      • Cocktail Lounge
      • Conservatory Bar
    • Cottonmill Spa
      • Spa Breaks
      • Spa Days
      • Treatments
      • Fitness
      • Cottonmill Membership
    • Marry
      • Wedding Packages
      • Event Spaces
      • Wedding Events
      • Trusted Suppliers
    • Meet
      • Meeting Spaces
      • Team Building
      • Trusted Meeting Suppliers
    • Celebrate
      • Private Dining
    • Offers
    • What’s On
      • Hotel Events
      • Out & About
    • About Us
      • Contact
      • FAQ’s
    • Careers
      • Employee Benefits
      • Vision Mission Values
    • Sustainability
    • Gallery
    • Gift Experiences

    Telephone lines

    Please note that our reservations team are dealing with an unprecedented demand for bookings and general enquiries for our Blue Monday sale, and as such our phone lines are very busy. The best deals are on our web-site, click the button below to go through to our sale page.

    We appreciate this can be frustrating, but please do bear with us.

    Blue Monday Deals

    Weekend 14th -16th May - Alfresco Dining

    Please note we are open this weekend and have spaces available for Alfresco dining at Sopwell House.

    ** IF WE EXPERIENCE RAIN WE WILL CLOSE THE TERRACE AREA AND HAVE DINING AVAILABLE IN UNDER THE COVER OF THE MARQUEE**

    Walk-in diners are welcome, we have 90 seats on the terrace and 50 in the marquee. Guests can now book Afternoon Tea and Dinner under the cover of the marquee. See link below.

    We do have heaters in the marquee on the front lawn, but guests are welcome to bring blankets if they would like. Due to COVID, we are unable to lend blankets.

    Terrace Dining

    11th May - Alfresco Dining

    Please note we are open and have spaces available today for Alfresco dining at Sopwell House.

    ** IF WE GET RAIN WE WILL CLOSE THE TERRACE AND JUST HAVE DINING AVAILABLE IN THE MARQUEE**

    Guests can now book Afternoon Tea and Dinner under the cover of the marquee. See link below. Walk-in diners are still welcome, we have 90 seats on the terrace and 50 in the marquee.

    We do have heaters in the marquee on the front lawn, but guests are welcome to bring blankets if they would like. Due to COVID, we are unable to lend blankets.

    Terrace Dining

    Alfresco Dining - 12th May

    Please note we are open and have spaces available today for Alfresco dining at Sopwell House.

    ** IF WE GET RAIN WE WILL CLOSE THE TERRACE AND JUST HAVE DINING AVAILABLE IN THE MARQUEE**

    Guests can now book Afternoon Tea and Dinner under the cover of the marquee. See link below. Walk-in diners are still welcome, we have 90 seats on the terrace and 50 in the marquee.

    We do have heaters in the marquee on the front lawn, but guests are welcome to bring blankets if they would like. Due to COVID, we are unable to lend blankets.

    Terrace Dining

    Alfresco Dining - 13th May

    Please note we are open and have spaces available today for Alfresco dining at Sopwell House.

    ** IF WE GET RAIN WE WILL CLOSE THE TERRACE AND JUST HAVE DINING AVAILABLE IN THE MARQUEE**

    Guests can now book Afternoon Tea and Dinner under the cover of the marquee. See link below. Walk-in diners are still welcome, we have 90 seats on the terrace and 50 in the marquee.

    We do have heaters in the marquee on the front lawn, but guests are welcome to bring blankets if they would like. Due to COVID, we are unable to lend blankets.

    Terrace Dining

    Alfresco Dining - 10th May

    Please note we are open and have spaces available on the 27th April for Alfresco dining at Sopwell House. ** PLEASE NOTE DUE TO THE RAIN EXPECTED IN THE MORNING THE TERRACE WILL BE CLOSED**

    Walk-in diners are welcome, we have over 90 seats on the terrace and 50 in the marquee.

    We do have heaters in the marquee on the front lawn, but guests are welcome to bring blankets if they would like. Due to COVID, we are unable to lend blankets.

    Guests can now book Afternoon Tea and Dinner under the cover of the marquee. See link below.

    Terrace Dining