If You Are at 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 Serobrennikov — 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 better to set up the barbecue area under a roof so that rain or intense sunshine does not disrupt your plans. In addition, it 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 so that smoke does not enter the rooms;
• Do not place a grill under tree canopies — hot smoke will dry out leaves and create a fire hazard;
• To protect grass from sparks or embers flying out, pave the area with stone, brick or tiles;
  
• To easily reach the barbecue area after heavy rain — install walkways leading to it;
  
• And if you can run water and install a sink for washing dishes — this will significantly speed up and ease the food preparation 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 — the cheapest option, usually chosen by people who transition from classic grills. This type of grill differs from a traditional barbecue by having a top lid that evenly distributes heat. The heat loss in a charcoal grill is much lower and the grilling rack is more convenient.

Gas grills are chosen by those who love new things, and don't believe in the myth that food tastes better on charcoal. This is the fastest grill — it heats up instantly and can be used for grilling in just five minutes. The taste of the dishes prepared is no different from those made on wood or charcoal. This is thanks to special flavorizer plates that vaporize fat and juice, turning them into aromatic smoke.

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

You will need:

• Suomi Grill 90
• Grill enamel cleaner
• Orion Plus Grill
• Compact Kettle Grill

Ceramic grills are chosen by professionals, these are very expensive grills made from heat-resistant ceramic and coated with lacquer. Such a grill keeps food extremely juicy. If you want to cook on the top charcoal grill, choose one of the ceramic models.

You will need:

• Compact Kettle Grill
• Smoker-Grill "Fornax"
• Gas Grill Weber Q1200
• Gas Grill Weber Spirit II E-210 GBS

What You Need With a Grill:

— Tongs for the grill;

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

— Brush for cleaning the 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 "Soyuzgriль"
• Grill, barbecue and grill cleaner
• Grill Tool Kit Standart
• Grill Glove "Grillcoff"

Additional Grill Accessories:

— Roster: an accessory for baking whole chickens. 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 need a smoky aroma.

— Thermometer: you can determine the internal temperature of the food and thus assess its readiness.

What You Should Not Do:

Do not use wood in charcoal and ceramic grills.

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

Do not use paraffin-based lighters.

They can end up in your food. It is better to buy alcohol tablets or gas lighters.

When choosing a grill, do not buy the cheapest models.

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

Pro Tips:

• Before buying, watch reviews on YouTube to choose the best model and learn all its features.
• Use thermometers — the one on the lid will tell you when to start cooking (at +250°C), and an electronic one will let you know when it’s time to take the dish off the fire.