1. Wipe the plate before you cook
Public BBQ plates are cleaned by councils, but not after every user. Heat it for 5 minutes, scrape it, then wipe with oiled paper towel before your food goes on.
💡 Public BBQ tips
2. Bring a scraper and paper towel
A cheap metal scraper and a roll of paper towel make every public BBQ easier, for cleaning before and after you cook.
3. Use foil or a baking tray for veggie food
If someone in your group is vegetarian or vegan, cook their food on a sheet of foil or a tray, with separate tongs.
4. Clean up for the next family
When you finish, scrape the leftover fat into the drip tray or a bin while it's warm, and wipe the plate. The next person will thank you.
5. Get there early on weekends
Popular park BBQs fill up fast on sunny weekends and public holidays. Arrive before 11am or try a weekday or evening.
6. Check the BBQ isn't broken
Tap the Busy, Broken or Dirty buttons on a spot's page after your visit. It helps others, and you can check recent notes before you go.
7. Keep cold food at 5°C or colder
Pack the esky with ice bricks, keep it in the shade and keep the lid closed. Put raw meat at the bottom so it can't drip on other food.
8. The 2-hour rule in hot weather
On hot days, don't leave salads, dips or cooked meat out of the esky for more than 2 hours (less over 32°C). If in doubt, throw it out.
9. Separate tongs for raw and cooked
Use one set of tongs and plates for raw meat and a clean set for cooked food, so germs from raw meat don't spread.
10. Use a meat thermometer
Chicken, sausages and mince should reach 75°C in the middle. A cheap probe thermometer takes the guessing out of it.
11. Wash or sanitise your hands
Bring hand sanitiser or a water bottle and soap, especially after handling raw meat and before eating.
12. Check for total fire bans
On total fire ban days, rules differ by state and some BBQs aren't allowed. Check your state fire service before you go (links below) and follow the signs at the park.
13. Never leave a BBQ on
Turn off electric or gas BBQs when you finish and never leave a lit BBQ alone, especially with kids around.
14. Pack the BBQ basics
Tongs, scraper, foil, paper towel, oil spray, bin bags, sunscreen, hats, water, chairs or a picnic rug, and a small first aid kit.
15. Sun safety
Slip, slop, slap, seek and slide. Look for a BBQ with shade, and remember shade moves during the afternoon.
16. Leave no trace
Take all your rubbish home if the bins are full, pick up bottle caps and skewers, and don't feed the wildlife. Bread and sausages make birds and possums sick.
17. Be a good BBQ neighbour
If people are waiting, cook in batches and share the plate. A friendly 'how long will you be?' goes a long way.
18. Know where the toilets and taps are
Check the spot's page for nearby toilets and drinking water before you go, especially with kids.
19. Bring water to cool burns
If someone gets burnt, cool it under cool running water for 20 minutes. Call 000 in an emergency.
20. Respect alcohol rules
Many parks are alcohol-free zones or have time limits. Check the signs and council rules before bringing drinks.
▶️ Watch
🔥 Total fire ban days
Check your state or territory fire service before you go:
- NSW – NSW Rural Fire Service
- VIC – Country Fire Authority
- QLD – Queensland Fire Department
- SA – SA Country Fire Service
- WA – DFES Emergency WA
- TAS – Tasmania Fire Service
- ACT – ACT Emergency Services Agency
- NT – NT Fire and Rescue / Bushfires NT
Tips by the Aussie BBQ team. Got one? ＋ Share a tip