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A Somerset Grill transforms a backyard into a theatre of flames, smoke, and sizzle. Owen's new Argentine Asado-style cooker became the centerpiece of an unforgettable five-hour cooking session where we lost ourselves watching flames dance across carefully prepared meats. The adjustable grates allow precise temperature control as wood burns down to perfect cooking embers – a dramatic departure from standard charcoal grilling that connects you to cooking's primal roots.

We put Brewdog's new barbecue rubs and sauces to the test on chicken wings, finding their Punk IPA-inspired sauce deliciously fruity while their hot sauce proved disappointingly vinegary. The Somerset Grill showed its versatility as we moved from homemade sausages to gammon joint and even a whole pineapple that caramelized beautifully when placed directly on glowing embers.

Cooking mishaps make for the best stories, and Dan's work barbecue disaster didn't disappoint. Despite careful planning and budgeting for 40 hungry colleagues, he somehow managed to leave the burger shop without actually purchasing any burgers – leaving 48 buns but zero patties! Thankfully, his backup sausages saved the day.

The UK barbecue community continues growing with festivals like Smoke and Fire Ascot drawing crowds, while barbecue tourism gains momentum as enthusiasts organize Texas tours to experience authentic pit cooking at its source. Looking ahead, we're excited about the Big Barbecue Community Cookout this October – a bring-your-own-everything gathering where passionate grillers will share knowledge, techniques and undoubtedly a few cooking failures.

We'd love to connect with small businesses and innovators in the barbecue space – reach out through our website or social media to share what you're seeing in this vibrant community. Until next time, keep those fires burning and don't forget to actually buy your burgers!

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For all of our other episodes you can listen or watch them on our website.

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Thinking about firing up the barbecue but feeling a bit intimidated? You're not alone. In this practical, no-nonsense guide to barbecue basics, Dan and Owen demystify the essentials that every beginner needs to know before approaching the grill.

The cornerstone of successful barbecuing isn't expensive equipment or complex techniques—it's understanding a few fundamental principles. First and foremost: invest in a good meat thermometer. This simple tool removes all guesswork from your cooking and ensures food safety. For chicken (a fantastic starting point for beginners), remember "75 stay alive" in Celsius as your target internal temperature.

Two-zone cooking emerges as perhaps the most valuable technique in your arsenal. By arranging your coals on one side of the grill, you create both a searing hot zone and a gentler indirect cooking area that functions like an outdoor oven. This simple approach transforms everything from chicken to sausages, delivering restaurant-quality results with minimal effort.

Beyond meat, we explore the incredible world of barbecued vegetables—from stuffed peppers and charred lettuce quarters to jacket potatoes that develop an almost magical nutty flavor when nestled among the coals. Vegetarian options abound, with Dan even accepting a challenge to barbecue seitan for an upcoming event!

Throughout our conversation, one theme remains constant: don't be intimidated. Even professional establishments sometimes serve subpar barbecue (as evidenced by our "cooking in the wild" horror stories). The difference is that you're cooking for pleasure and continuously improving your skills with each session at the grill.

Ready to transform your outdoor cooking game? Subscribe now for weekly tips, techniques and inspiration to help you become a backyard barbecue hero!

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If you want to get involved and showcase your cooks or fails, join our Facebook Group.
For all of our other episodes you can listen or watch them on our website.

We'd love to hear from you, drop us a text!

After a barbecue hiatus that left their grills gathering dust, Owen and Dan reunite with renewed passion for the flame. This candid conversation captures that magical moment when the spark returns to a beloved hobby – something many enthusiasts will recognize in their own journeys with outdoor cooking.

The episode takes an unexpected turn when Owen sheepishly admits that just weeks after declaring he didn't need any new equipment, he's purchased his most expensive barbecue ever – a Somerset Grill for live fire cooking. His excitement is infectious as he describes seasoning it for the first time, planning its maiden voyage, and the possibilities it opens for his cooking repertoire. This confession perfectly captures the irresistible pull of new barbecue equipment that many listeners will recognize in themselves.

Both hosts share laugh-out-loud cooking fails that prove even podcast hosts make mistakes. Owen recounts burning his lip on molten chili jam that had been cooking on burgers, while Dan admits to completely forgetting about foil-wrapped potatoes that he discovered, rock solid, weeks later at the bottom of his barbecue. The highlight comes when Dan introduces "Cooking in the Wild" – a hilarious story about queuing for food at a farm shop while the wooden hut housing their fire cage was literally catching fire, perfectly capturing the absurd moments that can happen around outdoor cooking.

Whether you're a seasoned pitmaster or occasional griller, this conversation celebrates the return of barbecue season and the joy of rediscovering passion for the flame. The hosts invite listeners to share their own barbecue fails and stories, building community around shared experiences – both triumphs and disasters. As warmer days approach, this episode will leave you eager to uncover your grill and embrace the excitement of a new barbecue season.

Support the show

If you want to get involved and showcase your cooks or fails, join our Facebook Group.
For all of our other episodes you can listen or watch them on our website.