Frequently
asked questions
Frequently
asked questions
asked questions
For BBQ-specific FAQs, please refer to the bottom of the product page.
Charcoal
Charcoal BBQ FAQs
Cleaning & Maintenance
Use & Ignition
What type of charcoal can I use?
Our BBQ's can be used with either Everdure by Heston Blumenthal natural lump charcoal or briquettes. Please see user manual for the maximum amount of coal to use.
Best ways to cool down and safely dispose of the BBQ coal once used?
Coal/ash can take a very long time to cool (up to a day or so). Do not rush the process of removing the coals. It will depend on how much coal you have used as to when it will be cool. Once cooled, you can remove the used coals into a metal bucket with lid. You can put these remaining ash onto the garden or dispose of in the bin.
Do you empty the tray after each cook and use fresh charcoal each time or do you put them in a hot coal bin, then use a mix of new and old charcoal for the next cook?
You should definitely empty the tray and use fresh charcoal each time. Don't empty the night you cook as they will still be hot. Let it burn itself out and then just use a dustpan and brush to scoop the small amount of dust that's left into the bin the next day.
Can I add more charcoal during cooking ?
Yes. The grills are designed to make refuelling easy, though you should refer to your manual to check maximum advised limits.
Should I use an accelerant to start the coals?
No, you do not need to use an accelerant or coals with an accelerant included.
Gas
Gas BBQ FAQs
Cleaning & Maintenance
Can I use phosphoric based cleaning solution on my grills?
Do not use phosphoric based cleaners as the grills are cast iron with a vitreous enamel coating. Vitreous enamel, also called porcelain enamel, is a material made by fusing powdered glass to a substrate by firing, usually between 750 and 850°C (1,380 and 1,560°F). The powder melts, flows, and then hardens to a smooth, durable vitreous coating. If your porcelain grill grates are really dirty, you can try applying a baking soda solution to them. Make a paste by combining 1/2 cup (90 g) of baking soda with 1/4 cup (59 ml) of warm water. Apply the paste to the grill grates. Let it sit for 20 minutes and then clean it off with a soft bristle grill brush. Make sure you get all of the paste off before you cook anything on the grill, and clean the brush when you're done. You could remove the grates and let the solution soak overnight, if necessary, in a sink or tub. Rinse the solution off, then replace the grates and clean them with a grill brush.
How often should I clean my BBQ?
Once the BBQ has cooled, a simple wipe down is all that is needed. We recommend cleaning your BBQ after every use, but don't use harsh chemicals, or abrasive wire, as this may damage the protective coating on the grills and outer body. To help make cleaning easier, the firebox is designed with minimal angles and joins, which can trap grease. You can also oil grills before and after use to help prevent food sticking.
Where should I store my BBQ?
When not in use, be sure to keep your BBQ in a well-protected area. For the best protection, we recommend covering it with a fitted Everdure by Heston Premium cover, to avoid weather damage.
Will the cover keep my BBQ dry?
Our BBQ covers, are waterproof and are made of 425 GSM with a waterproof lining. Please be aware that you can get humidity and condensation forming between the cover and the BBQ depending on your climate and location.
How can I clean below the burners/ ignition?
Warm soapy water is fine but you can also dissolve a dishwasher tablet in warm water and then use that to dissolve the grease and fat.
Is it ok to put the BBQ plates or grills in the dishwasher ?
The plates and grills on the FURNACE and FORCE are coated in porcelain enamel (which aids heat retention and helps avoid food sticking on the surface).
Dishwasher detergent can break down the porcelain enamel over time, so we don't recommend putting them in the dishwasher.
To help their longevity, you should clean after use with non-abrasive scourers and soapy water.
Use & Ignition
Should I cook with the hood up or down?
The FURNACE and FORCE are designed to be used either way, with the power to cook with the hood up, and the benefits of convection heating if you cook with the hood down, perfect for Sunday roasts.
Just remember to pre-heat your BBQ for 5 mins (ambient temperature conditions dependent) before starting.
How do I cook with the hood down ?
The FURNACE has three burners and the FORCE has two burners so the technique is slightly different but the convection science is still the same. The idea of convection heating is to cook, slow and low. When the hood is down, we recommend having only one burner on low or medium setting (depending on the weather). Place the meat over the section with the burners completely off; this will generate a great 360 degrees hot airflow around the meat without scorching the underside (the indirect method).
Remember to NEVER leave the burners on high with the hood down for more than 5 minutes, the BBQ will overheat. For even better results, try the Everdure by Heston Blumenthal roasting rack .
Preheating the FORCE/FURNACE
When preheating, we recommend that as a minimum, it is heated to 300 - 350 degrees celsius with all burners on high. As heat will begin to disperse when the hood is open, we recommend intermittently closing the hood. It is to be noted the temperature gauge is not the grill temperature, it is the air temperature under the hood. There is a process to follow where the meat is to be at room temperature before cooking and the BBQ should be timed for 10min, starting once the pre-heated temperature reaches 300-350 degrees celsius on the dial. Once the meat has been placed on the BBQ, the hood should be closed, then after 2 minutes lifted, the meat flipped and hood closed again, repeating until meat is at the desired level, rare, medium-rare, medium or well done, then left to rest before consuming. For open hood cooking, it is recommended to cook the meat on the grill plate and not the flat plate.
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Just a ball of steel wool and some elbow grease for the inside. Warm soapy water and a soft cloth for the outside. Spray grills with canola oil before use and the grime will just wipe off.
Warm soapy water is fine but you can also dissolve a dishwasher tablet in warm water and then use that to dissolve the grease and fat.
Remove any debris that has ended up in the tray. When it is empty, use warm soapy water or dishwashing liquid to dissolve grease and fat.
Do not use phosphoric based cleaners as the grills are cast iron with a vitreous enamel coating. Vitreous enamel, also called porcelain enamel, is a material made by fusing powdered glass to a substrate by firing, usually between 750 and 850°C (1,380 and 1,560°F). The powder melts, flows, and then hardens to a smooth, durable vitreous coating. If your porcelain grill grates are really dirty, you can try applying a baking soda solution to them. Make a paste by combining 1/2 cup (90 g) of baking soda with 1/4 cup (59 ml) of warm water. Apply the paste to the grill grates. Let it sit for 20 minutes and then clean it off with a soft bristle grill brush. Make sure you get all of the paste off before you cook anything on the grill, and clean the brush when you’re done. You could remove the grates and let the solution soak overnight, if necessary, in a sink or tub. Rinse the solution off, then replace the grates and clean them with a grill brush.
Soap and water with a scotch pad or steel wool will work. For stubborn grime, soak the plates in a bucket of warm, soapy water then scrub with a suitable brush. Repeat until clean. Just make sure you clean along the grill and not across it.
The BBQ should be cleaned after each use. Please remember to only use warm soapy water, not harsh chemicals that may damage the product.
Our BBQ covers, are waterproof and are made of 425 GSM with a waterproof lining. Please be aware that you can get humidity and condensation forming between the cover and the BBQ depending on your climate and location.
When not in use, be sure to keep your BBQ in a well-protected area. For the best protection, we recommend covering it with a fitted Everdure by Heston Premium cover, to avoid weather damage.