BBQ and food safety

Warm weather enables bacteria to multiply faster in conditions where food hygiene practices are poorer, and people change their eating habits in the summer months, eating more cold food, more buffets where food is left out for long periods, and more barbecues.

When using a barbecue to cook meat, it must be cooked until it’s piping hot all the way through, none of the meat is pink and the juices run clear. When barbecuing for lots of people, it may be advisable to cook meat indoors and finish it off on the barbecue for added flavour.

Visit Public Health Wales website for further guidance on BBQ safety. 

How to use a BBQ safely

• Always keep a bucket of water/sand or a garden hose close by in case of fire
• Barbeque away from garden fences, shed, buildings, trees and shrubs and in an open area
• Always barbeque on a flat surface
• Use only enough charcoal to cover the base of the barbeque to a depth of about 50mm (two inches)
• Keep children, garden games and pets well away from the cooking area.
• Always barbecue outside, never in your tent, caravan or cabin.  
• Don’t leave your barbecue unattended. 
• Make sure the barbecue is cool before moving it. 
• Never bury a barbecue in the sand.