Pimp your summer! Social media star DJ BBQ shows YOU how to throw the ultimate barbecue

By Holly Purchase For Mailonline

Published: 18:59 EDT, 8 May 2018 | Updated: 12:08 EDT, 31 May 2018

Summer is – at long last – well and truly on its way. And that means it's time to invite friends and family over for barbecues and fun in the sun.

Trouble is, after the long winter we've all just endured, our gardens are looking a little on the uninviting side – definitely not ready to host a good al fresco party. Luckily, B&Q is on hand with everything you need to transform your garden and create the perfect outdoor entertaining space.

And if barbecuing isn't your thing, don't worry – help is at hand in the shape of grill-master and social media star, Christian Stevenson. Christian, also known as DJ BBQ, says: ‘I’m looking forward to being outdoors and sharing good times, a good barbecue and a beer with my friends.'

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Christian Stevenson, also known as DJ BBQ, shares his top tips for entertaining outside 

Readying your garden for a party means making your guests feel at home with good food and comfortable furniture - like this Rural outdoor living collection from B&Q

Readying your garden for a party means making your guests feel at home with good food and comfortable furniture - like this Rural outdoor living collection from B&Q

 Here are the London-based barbecue expert's top tips for getting ready for good times outdoors with your friends: 

 

Master the art of the grill

A charcoal grill with a lid allows you to slow-cook meat to perfection

A charcoal grill with a lid allows you to slow-cook meat to perfection

‘Once you learn how to handle live fire cooking, everybody’s going to want your food.

‘I grew up on a gas grill (like this Rockwell Gas 210 black, £156 at B&Q), which is super convenient, but I tend to use charcoals. And I like to use a pedal-style lid (try the Rockwell Charcoal 200 Black, £83 at B&Q), because that allows me to do whole roast chickens, legs of lamb, big topside joints and pork shoulders.

‘The beauty of having a lid is that a lot of people tend to put a load of charcoal at the bottom and end up just burning their food – but I like to have the charcoal on one side and nothing on the other. 

That way, you get the colour and the right sear on the food and then you can move it to the other side where there’s no coals and let the inside cook. You don’t get any flare ups this way, so you can move the food and be safe in the knowledge that it won’t burn. It really helps being able to put a lid on your grill and cook your meat properly all the way through.

Once you have mastered the art of cooking on the barbecue 'everybody’s going to want your food', DJ BBQ enthuses 

Once you have mastered the art of cooking on the barbecue 'everybody’s going to want your food', DJ BBQ enthuses 

‘It’s also worth using a temperature probe so you can make sure your food’s cooked to the right temperature inside – always a really good tool to have. It’s all about goof-proof cooking, man!’

Let B&Q help you 

Not sure what kind of barbecue is right for you? B&Q has an extensive range offering different sizes, fuel-types and styles, so there's bound to be one that's perfect for you.

Gas barbecues, like this Blooma 210 Rockwell 2 Burner, offer plenty of cooking space, so you can cater for big crowds with ease

Gas barbecues, like this Blooma 210 Rockwell 2 Burner, offer plenty of cooking space, so you can cater for big crowds with ease

If you're in the market for a barbecue this summer and want further advice on getting the right one (and how to make the most of it!), check out B&Q's barbecue buying guide or visit your local store today.

Cater for the crowd

‘I like to ask people what they love to eat. And then I make sure I’ve got my meat, vegetarian and even vegan options.

Let B&Q help you 

Keep the summer party atmosphere alive after sunset by decorating your garden with lovely outdoor lights.

B&Q has a huge variety on offer. From elegant string lights to illuminating solar lamps, there’s something for every summer occasion – or you can just use them to bring flowerbeds and garden seating areas to life this season.

‘Many people don’t realise, but fruit and veg love to be cooked with live fire (and if you want to protect your veggies from sticking to the grill, try this Blooma Flexible BBQ Grill, £8 at B&Q). Before I even start a cook-out and get my charcoal going, I throw my onions right in the coal – I do what’s called coal-roasted or dirty onions – because they have a natural protective layer and it just makes them go nice and sweet and tangy and it takes away a bit of that pungency.

‘If you need more inspiration, try my vegetarian tomato pie and my Alabama white sauce with grilled chicken – these two recipes will be sure to astound your friends!

Make your garden party-ready

DJ BBQ advises making sure you have comfortable and stylish outdoor furniture

‘I just can’t wait for this sunny weather to get into full swing so I can get my garden ready for barbecue season.

‘I like to have good lighting out there in the garden, because when the sun drops, it’s kinda hard to cook because you can’t see! So, I get some fairy lights (Blooma Esteven White 20 LED String Lights, £12 at B&Q) and maybe some of those solar bulbs (Solar Crackled Ball light, £9 at B&Q) that you can put in the ground and they charge all day and light up at night.

Let B&Q help you 

If you're unsure about what furniture to buy to make the most of your garden – or simply want some inspiration, then check out B&Q's garden furniture guide.

Whether you're looking to entertain the masses or make the sunspot by the backdoor a little more comfortable, you'll find there's something to make gardens of every shape and size that little more homely.

‘As well as good lighting, it’s important to have comfortable outdoor furniture in the garden (like this stylish Gabbs Storage Sofa Set, £1,150 at B&Q, below).

‘You just need to aim to keep it comfortable from afternoon to night and make everybody feel at home. It’s always worth buying some rad outdoor furniture and heaters (Etinas Cast Iron Chiminea, £64 at B&Q) so you can effectively bring your living room outdoors – that’s what I like to try and do. And then the smell of barbecue is going to infiltrate your neighbours’ backyards and make them really jealous – and then they’ll want to come and join your party too!’

When the sun goes down, light a heater for people to gather round so the party can carry on well into the night

When the sun goes down, light a heater for people to gather round so the party can carry on well into the night

Once you have created a cosy outdoor space all you need to do is simply make sure you've catered to all tastes and got a great playlist

Create a party playlist

‘Good tunes is a must. Try to play a nice eclectic mix of everything so you can please the crowd – perhaps make a mix tape.

‘You shouldn't just play music for yourself. Take requests and play for your guests, because they’re the ones there eating the barbecue so you need to keep them happy!'

Let B&Q help you 

Whatever you need to get your garden ready for visitors this summer, B&Q is ready to help.

From gardening essentials to stylish and practical furniture, there’s something for gardens great and small – and the staff are always on hand with their expertise.

Visit your nearest B&Q store today for garden party inspiration and great advice. 

Throw the ultimate summer barbecue your friends and family will love

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