12 hacks to take your Australia Day BBQ to the next level

Surprise your guests and mix things up with these tips and tricks. 

1. Pop sauces in a muffin tray

Decant your tomato sauce, barbecue sauce and mustards into an easy-to-carry muffin tray.

2. Spray your food with apple juice

Dry meat can ruin a great barbecue. Keep everything nice and moist by spraying your meat with a mix of apple juice and apple cider vinegar. This will make your meat beautifully tender and it will smell and taste amazing.

3. Use two skewers for kebabs instead of one

One of the most annoying things about kebabs is how the pieces spin when you’re trying to turn them with tongs. Using two skewers for each kebab keeps everything stable so you can easily cook them both sides.

4. Brush your meat with rosemary

Add great flavor and aroma by using rosemary to brush your meat as it cooks. You can also use it to dip into marinade and continue to baste it while it cooks.

5. Create a smoker pouch

Up your barbecue game with some wood-smoked meat. If you don’t have a wood smoker, you can create a substitute for your gas or electric grill. Simple wrap wood chips into a foil envelope, poke some holes in it, and place it under the grate of your barbecue. This will give your food an amazing smoky taste and aroma.

6. Prevent your meat from drying out with foil

Keep your meat tender and juicy by resting it for 10 minutes under a piece of foil. Bend it slightly to create a tent shape.

7. Clean the grill with half an onion

An easy way to clean the grill is to rub it down with half an onion just before you add food.

8. Use an egg carton to light the coals

Kickstart your coals by placing an egg carton in the middle of your barbecue and surrounding it with charcoal. Light the egg carton to get the fire started.

9. Oil your meat, not the barbecue

Prevent spitting and out-of-control flames by oiling your protein instead of the grill.

10. Put vegetables in parcels

If you have to cater for a vegetarian, make a tin foil parcel of their favourite vegetables. Add some herbs and a splash of oil for an easy vegetarian dish.

11. Microwave meat first

Want to ensure your meat is evenly cooked? Pop it in the microwave first and finish it on the barbecue for that smoky flavor.

12. Cook fish on slices of lemon

Prevent fish from sticking to the grill with a layer of lemon slices. It will also give your fish a zesty flavor.