If You Are on the Dacha: Setting Up a Barbecue Area

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

Ed Serbrennikov 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's best to set up the barbecue area under a roof so that rain or intense sunlight doesn't disrupt your plans. Moreover, it can later become an excellent 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 so smoke doesn't enter the rooms;
• Do not place a grill under tree canopies — hot smoke will dry out the leaves and create a fire hazard;
• To prevent damage to grass from flying sparks or embers, pave the area with stone, brick, or tiles;
• To easily access the barbecue area after heavy rain — install paths leading to it;
• And if you can run water and install a sink for washing dishes — this will significantly speed up and ease the cooking process.

How to Choose a Grill?

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

Charcoal is the cheapest option, and many people switch from a classic grill to this type. The difference between a charcoal grill and a traditional one is the presence of a top lid that evenly distributes heat. Additionally, there are lower heat losses in a barbecue grill and a convenient grill rack.

Gas grills are chosen by enthusiasts of new technologies 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, and the taste of prepared dishes is indistinguishable from those cooked on wood or charcoal. This is thanks to special flavorizer plates that evaporate fat and juice, turning them into aromatic smoke.

If you want a strong smoky flavor, look for a chip container accessory for wood chips. It is easy to use in a gas grill.

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 incredibly juicy. If you want to cook on the top charcoal grill, choose a ceramic one.

You will need:

Grill Compact Kettle

Smoker-Grill 'Fornax'

Gas Grill Weber Q1200

Gas Grill Weber Spirit II E-210 GBS

What you will need with a grill:

— Tongs for the grill;

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

— Brush for cleaning the grill rack;

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

Tip:

Do not clean the grill immediately after cooking. It is easiest to do this by heating the grill to working temperature and brushing the surface with a metal brush.

You will need:

Grill Cleaning Brush 'Soyuzgriil'

Grill, Grill, and BBQ Cleaner

Grill Tool Kit Standard

Grill Glove 'Grillcoff'

Additional accessories for the grill

— Roster: an accessory for baking whole chicken. If you place a can of beer 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 determine the internal temperature of the food and thus estimate its doneness.

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 starters

They can end up in your food. It's better to buy alcohol tablets or gas starters.

When choosing a grill, don't go for the cheapest models

Think about how many people you usually cook for. When you start enjoying grilling, which happens very quickly, you will think about a larger size or additional features.

Pro Tips:

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