The Sorted Dad

There’s nothing more satisfying than firing up the BBQ on a warm day—meat sizzling, smoke curling, a cold drink in hand. But here’s the truth: most backyard cooks (yes, even the self-proclaimed grill kings) are making some critical BBQ mistakes that are ruining flavour, wasting money, and embarrassing them in front of mates.

If you’ve ever wondered why your burgers stick, why your chicken turns out dry, or why your sausages look burnt but feel raw inside… you’re not alone.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the 7 most common BBQ mistakes and exactly how to fix them. These are practical, game-changing tips I’ve learned over years of grilling on everything from budget barbecues to my current pride and joy: the Weber Master-Touch.

1. You Light the BBQ Wrong

If you’re using lighter fluid or stacking coals like a campfire, you’re doing it wrong.

The fix: Use a chimney starter. It’s the cleanest, quickest, most even way to get your coals red-hot without that chemical taste. I load mine with natural lumpwood charcoal, light it with a couple of wax blocks underneath, and it’s ready in 15-20 minutes.

Bonus tip: If you’re using a gas BBQ, preheat for at least 10-15 minutes before cooking. Most people jump in too soon, and that means no sear, no flavour.

2. You Cook on One Heat Zone

Direct heat cooking is fine for steaks, but if you’re grilling sausages, chicken thighs or anything that needs time to cook through, you need zones.

The fix: Bank your coals to one side (or turn off one burner if you’re on gas). That gives you a hot side for searing and a cooler side to finish cooking gently. This one change will stop your food from burning on the outside while staying raw inside.

3. You Keep Lifting the Lid

Look, I get it. You want to check how it’s going. But every time you lift the lid, you let out all that sweet, trapped heat.

The fix: Trust the process. Set a timer if you have to. BBQ is part art, part patience. Your Weber (or whichever grill you’re using) works best when you let it do its thing.

4. You Don’t Use a Meat Thermometer

Unless you’re a grill whisperer, you’re probably guessing when things are done. That guesswork leads to dry chicken, chewy steaks, or worse—undercooked meat.

The fix: Invest in a digital meat thermometer. Instant-read probes cost under £20 and take all the stress out. For reference:

• Chicken: 75°C
• Beef (medium rare): 57°C
• Pork: 63°C

Use it, trust it, and you’ll never serve underwhelming meat again.

5. You Don’t Let the Meat Rest

Straight off the grill and onto the plate? Big mistake.

The fix: Rest your meat for at least 5-10 minutes, covered loosely with foil. It allows the juices to redistribute, so your steak doesn’t leak all over the cutting board and end up dry.

Even burgers benefit from a short rest. It’s a minor tweak with massive results.

6. You Forget the Power of Smoke

You can add epic flavour with just a handful of wood chips. Whether it’s applewood for pork, hickory for beef, or cherry for chicken, smoke brings real pitmaster vibes to your food.

The fix: Soak your chips for 30 minutes, wrap in foil, poke a few holes, and place over hot coals. For gas BBQs, use a smoker box. You’ll taste the difference immediately.

7. You Think BBQ Is Just Meat

I love a juicy brisket as much as anyone, but some of the best BBQ sides and mains are meat-free.

The fix: Try grilled halloumi, charred corn, or veggie skewers brushed with garlic oil. BBQ should be inclusive—and it’s a smart way to balance the richness of grilled meat.

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BONUS: Dad-Approved BBQ Essentials

Here are 5 tools that changed my grilling game:

• Chimney starter – ditch the firelighters
• Thermapen or other digital thermometer – no more guesswork
• BBQ tongs with long handles – stop burning your knuckles
• Drip trays – for indirect cooks and fewer flare-ups
• A quality wire brush or grill scraper – clean grill = better taste

You don’t need a top-of-the-range setup to cook like a legend. It’s all about technique.

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Final Word: Your Next-Level BBQ Starts Today

You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Just avoid the mistakes, trust the tools, and respect the process. Grill with confidence, not chaos. These fixes take minutes to learn but will impress your mates, your kids, and even your in-laws.

If you’re interested in becoming a bit more intentional about your evenings around food and family, you might enjoy Evening Routine That Changed My Parenting Game—a post about how a simple evening rhythm can make even BBQ clean-up time feel smoother.

Stay smoky, stay sorted.