What is the point of barbeques?

[dave50]

Why, when the sun comes out does half the population decide they want to cook lunch outside, with all the hassle and cleaning up afterwards that comes with it? Why not just cook some food in the kitchen and bring it outside? So much easier and simpler.

[Coldicote]

I agee with hc - unless you happen to like the smell it's more of a stink!

[Kiki-frog]

God only knows. My OH is actually very good at cooking, but at the first glimpse of a sunny day, he goes native and just chucks any old crap on the barbecue, not having bothered to clean it from the time before, then serves up the aforementioned crap, which is invariably black on the outside and covered with charred bits of steak, tuna, veggie burger, sausage and the like left over from last summer and probably the summer before that, and totally uncooked in the middle, with a happy smile and an obvious sense of achievement. Even the cat refuses to eat it.

Dave, I only wish I knew.

[ELVIS68]

Food tastes better cooked on a charcoal BBQ, can't see the point in gas ones either

[Frank97]

unless you happen to like the smell it's more of a stink!

Have to agree with that, someone regularly does them up the road from me but I dread to think what the food tastes like as all I can smell is burning lighter fuel or whatever it is that they have used to get it going.

[Davethedog]

Years ago my wife bought one, she used it once and I now use it for burning rubbish that would otherwise be shredded. Its the only time I have used it, we still have the charcoal in a bag in the shed.

[shoota]

Barbecued frankfurters - that's the point.
I'll put up with bloody chicken legs, charcoal burgers, blue chops and crusty bangers as long as I can have barbecued frankfurters.
Four times as tasty as when they're cooked in water and so simple and quick.

[Old_Geezer]

It is so much simpler but so much less fun. One may as well ask why paint pictures, or grow flowers, or any of the myriad of other activities that give a sense of achievement and a pride in the activity and great enjoyment.

[AB Editor]

Generally they're an excuse for a party aren't they?

Also, if your kitchen gets hot in summer, and BBQ is an option, then you'd surely go for it?

[237SJ]

I think barbequed food`s lovely when it`s cooked up by hotel cooks on a beach somewhere but I think it`s a bit unfair on the neighbours in a close-to urban environment. My neighbours cooked sardines on their BBQ one night and my house reeked. My Mum`s neighbours always do theirs right outside their back door which means it`s right outside their neighbours` back doors too. They didn`t even have the forethought to do it at the end of the garden. It`s a shame to have to shut all your doors and windows on a hot night because of the neighbours.

[muchlovex]

Spoil sport! It'sall about the novellety and the unique taste of barbequed meat. Enjoying the weather as well. Abit bit better than standing at a cooker etc! lol

[ethandron]

We've just bought a holiday home...and a brand new BBQ to go with it. Never had any success with bbq's in the past so also bought a book on how to do it properly and with some great recipes. Well, what a difference, am now a convert, have just had our second, very lovely BBQ :)
My only stipulation was that he did it all...all the outside stuff like like setting it up, lighting it, timing food, cleaning the whole thing afterwards, completely his domain. In the past it's been me that did it all and it just made tons more work for me carting food around, cooking the stuff, backwards and forwards to the house, etc., so in the end i refused to do them and we've not had a BBQ for many, many years.
Didn't ever think I'd say it, but I really enjoy bbq's now, sitting in the shade glass of wine in hand, lovely :)

[shaneystar2]

I can't stand them .I like eating outdoors but would rather cook it indoors and take it in the garden to eat .We have Barbeque Bill over the back . The minute there's a glimmer of sun he fires the damn thing up and the stink is unbelievable .I think he cooks smelly socks on it .Yuk .
And ....the people next door who fire the wretched thing up when I have washing out . I don't mind but they could have the good manners to say they are going to smoke me out so that I can get it in in time .

[jomifl]

Men mostly understand bbqs women mostly don't. The point of a barbeque is that you get some lumps of meat and cook them over a fire. The only mess is on the plate you eat the meat off and the cutlery. As soon as you get involved with marinading, salad, desserts etc. you might as well leave it to 'er in the kitchen. But then I only know how to cook meat...

[Eve]

I like them, like the smell and the more charcoal like taste. I wouldn't buy things like sausages or burgers to cook usually but will have them off a BBQ.

[jomifl]

Barbequed sardines...heaven (but only in a secular sense)

[chi-chi66]

the guy next door to me had his on tonight, one of these massive things on
wheels, to do corn!! the same on Saturday night, corn.....it stinks to heaven,
I close all doors and windows, the smell goes through my house.

I am not a misery...the other side had one on Sunday, a disposable one, a
really pleasant smell.

Mini-me, her fella does one on a disposable one...much more pleasant.

[joggerjayne]

Oh, barbecues are just fab and jolly.

I have a huuuuuuge gas barbecue on my balcony. Plus ... you turn it on, slap a mountain of meat on the table ... and all the guys suddenly take over, while we sit and get ratted.

[tiggerblue10]

My parents seem to have a BBQ every other week during the summer. My uncle does BBQ on the other weeks!

I went to my parents house yesterday expecting to go out somewhere with them and they turned up half an hour later with sausages, burgers, drumsticks etc etc,.

I have however heard that charcoaled food may contain carcinogens.

[DTCwordfan]

It brings the caveman out in us.......and, when properly done, is delish......

[Cetti]

Australia and South Africa know how to barbeque - we don't. They have them built in at sport venues and beach etc. as their weather is perfect. Cooking in the back garden, especially when your neighbour has their washing out brings out the worst in me - I turn into 'Mrs Misery Guts' but won't apologise for loathing this pointless past time!