If You Are on the Country Estate: Setting Up a Barbecue Area

If you are currently at the countryside or own a country house with your own territory, it's time to start landscaping your plot. With the help of an expert, we explain how to set up a barbecue area.

Ed Serobrennikov is an expert and co-owner of the online store and retail network Village Club, offering branded products for country life and outdoor recreation.

Where to start? First, you need to choose a location. It is best to set up the barbecue area under a canopy to protect from rain or intense sunlight, which may disrupt your plans. In addition, this space can later become a great summer dining area where you can gather with family or friends for lunch or dinner.

What to consider:

• Place the barbecue area away from living quarters to prevent smoke from entering the rooms;
• Do not place the grill under tree canopies — hot smoke will dry out leaves and create a fire hazard;
• To protect the grass from flying embers or coal pieces, pave the area with stone, brick, or tiles;
  
• To easily access the barbecue area after heavy rain — lay paths leading to it;
  
• Connecting water supply and installing a sink for washing dishes will significantly speed up and ease the cooking process.

How to Choose a Grill?

A grill can be simple charcoal, practical gas, ceramic, or wood-fired for those who prefer traditional cooking methods.

Charcoal is the most affordable option, usually chosen by those transitioning from a classic barbecue. Unlike traditional grills, this type includes a lid that evenly distributes heat. Charcoal grills have lower heat loss and more convenient grill grates.

Gas grills are chosen by those who love new technologies, especially those who don’t believe the myth that food tastes better on charcoal. This is the fastest grill — it heats up instantly and can be used for cooking within five minutes, with flavor indistinguishable from that made on wood or charcoal. This is due to special flavorizer plates that evaporate fat and juice, turning them into aromatic smoke.

If you want to achieve a clear smoky flavor, look for a chip container as an accessory. It is easy to use in gas grills.

You will need:

Grill Suomi Grill 90

Grill Cleaner for Enamel

Grill Orion Plus

Grill Compact Kettle

Ceramic grills are chosen by professionals; they are very expensive and made from heat-resistant ceramic with a lacquer coating. These grills keep food exceptionally juicy. If you want to cook on the top charcoal grill, choose a ceramic model.

You will need:

Grill Compact Kettle

Smoker-Grill 'Fornax'

Gas Grill Weber Q1200

Gas Grill Weber Spirit II E-210 GBS

What You Need With the Grill?

— Tongs for the grill;

— Spade for flipping burgers, fish, vegetables, and other foods;

— Brush for cleaning the grill grate;

— Grill Cover, if the grill will be stored outdoors.

Tip:

Do not clean the grill immediately after cooking. The easiest way is to heat it up to working temperature and brush the surface with a metal brush.

You will need:

Grill Cleaning Brush 'Soyuzgriль'

Grill, barbecue and grill cleaner

Grill Tool Kit Standart

Grill Glove 'Grillcoff'

Additional Grill Accessories

— Roster: an accessory for baking whole chicken. If you place a beer can under the chicken, it will be juicier.

— Pizza Stone: with it, you can easily cook pizza like in a restaurant.

— Wok: for stir-frying vegetables and noodles at high temperatures.

— Chip Container: useful for gas grills if you want a smoky flavor.

— Thermometer: you can check the internal temperature of the food to determine its readiness.

What You Should Not Do:

Do not use wood in charcoal and ceramic grills

The burning temperature of wood is significantly higher than that of charcoal or briquettes. Buy only high-quality recommended fuel for cooking, and your grill will last a long time.

Do not use paraffin-based starters

They may end up on your food. It is better to buy alcohol-based tablets or gas starters.

When choosing a grill, do not buy the cheapest models

Think about how many people you usually cook for. When you get used to grilling, which happens very quickly, you’ll think about a larger size or additional features.

Pro Tips:

• Before buying, watch YouTube reviews to choose the best model and learn about all its features.
• Use thermometers — the one on the lid will show when you can start cooking (above +250°C), while an electronic one will tell you when it's time to remove the dish from the fire.