Time to get out the BBQ?!

Is Summer finally here? Let's hope so, but even when the sun is selectively appearing and disappearing BBQs are usually on the agenda for many people. It's true that if you don't start making the most of the current good weather and having them soon you may miss out completely! So all you BBQers out there here are some tips and helpers to keep you going.

Many people keep to what they know - sausages, burgers, chicken... and perhaps even a potato!! For all these people the Quickachips Oven Proof Basket is not only great for preventing soggy food in your oven, but also great for BBQs because it gives you control over your cooking: no more losing kebabs, sausages or vegetarian food to the coals! It's also freezer & dishwasher safe, so cleaning won't be a dreaded job! Don't forget when cooking chicken to leave the skin on when possible because it will keep it moist, and if cooking steak do the same as you would in oven - leave it to rest for 10mins or so before serving. Also remember to brush your meat with olive oil before placing on the  BBQ to prevent it from sticking.

For the slightly more adventurous why not try some fish on there too? I'm not a huge fan of fish cooked in the oven, but on the BBQ it takes on the lovely smokey taste which is what we all love. Monkfish and tuna are good to start with because they are quite meaty and hold together very well. Cook them in oiled tin foil with herbs. The same for vegetables - not everyone wants large amounts of meat just because it's a BBQ and potatoes, peppers and other veg are delicious when cooked in oil with herbs wrapped in foil (par boil the potatoes first). Want a different type of salad to go with it? Just open up a tin of mixed pules/beans and mix with some pre-bought salsa, sweetcorn, peppers, onion (I also add cucumber) for a lovely salsa salad that's super easy to make and goes brilliantly with red meat.

Dreading cleaning it all at the end? This doesn't have to be such a horrible job because the Dishmatic Steel Scourer is ideal for cleaning BBQ's, Grills, Hot Plates, Steel Pots, Pans and more! With refills available this fillable wand dispenses liquid through a long lasting knitted mesh of high grade stainless steel. It protects hands and saves time.

If you want your BBQ to last through many Summers to come make sure you cover it when not in use to protect it from rain, dew & dust and prevents rusting so prolonging the life of your barbecue.

This BBQ Cover is ideal for summer use, overnight cover or winter storage. It has brass eyelets for secure & easy fixing, tie cords, a waterproof laminated finish and is U.V. treated for extra long life.

Perhaps all those BBQs are making you think your garden could use a bit of tlc too, so later I'll be going through some great products to help you care for your garden area also. Enjoy!

They're here! Dishmatic Scourer Refills for the Dishmatic Scourer Washing up Liquid Dispenser

I recently mentioned the brilliant new Dishmatic Washing Up Liquid Dispenser. You simply fill the handle with your favourite washing up liquid, close the cap & you are ready to clean, making quick work of all those dirty dishes.

For really heavy duty cleaning such as the BBQ, Grill, Hot Plate (all of which being very difficult to get clean), you need the Dishmatic Scourer Washing up Liquid Dispenser.

With it's long lasting knitted mesh of high grade stainless steel it will take care of these tougher jobs and save time.

The Dishmatic is ideal because you can get replacement heads which means whether you want non-scratch or extra heavy duty you can get it all in this one dispenser - think of it as a fillable dishwand!

Now available is a pack of 2 Dishmatic Steel Scourer Refill Heads:

• * Long lasting knitted mesh of high grade stainless steel

• * Not to be used on delicate, non-stick or hot surfaces

Nobody can avoid the washing up completely because when it comes to dirty pans most of the time you need to clean them by hand, but this is no challenge when you use the Extra Heavy Duty Refill. Non-scratch pans and other delicate items can be cleaned with the Non-Scratch Refills.

Refill Heads available:

1. Dishmatic Non Scratch Replacement Heads: White - Non-Scratch


2. Dishmatic Heavy Duty Replacement Heads: Green - Heavy Duty


3. Dishmatic Extra Heavy Duty Replacement Heads: Black - Extra Heavy Duty

• Dispenses liquid


• Protects your hands


• Saves time


• Three different types of Refill heads available


• Made in England

The Dishmatic Washing Liquid Dispenser makes quick work of dirty dishes!

I have something I have to admit to.... I love my dishwasher. What's not to love? It cleans my dirty dishes, it saves me time and it doesn't ask for much in return. I would imagine I'm not alone in realising what a brilliant help this appliance is, but not everyone owns a dishwasher.

For some there's no space in their kitchen, some people actually enjoy the satisfaction of getting through a sink-full of dishes happily admiting that they ARE the dishwasher, and others have something  even better than a dishwasher - someone who does the dishes for them (often their husbands!)

Even if you are a dishwasher owner/lover you can't avoid washing up completely because however brilliant the dishwasher is it does get full and not everything is dishwasher safe - plus it can't cope with things like the pans very well. So whichever you are there are some products and tips that you may find useful.

No doubt many of you know this one, but to save water and time make sure you wash up glass items first and save the very dirty items until last. Ideally use an enironmentally friendly washing up liquid and remember to take care of your hands!!!

All that time spent washing up will start to show in your hands, so make sure you use a good handcream afterwards and use a Washing up Liquid Dispenser such as the Dishmatic Washing Up Liquid Dispenser. You simply fill the handle with your favourite washing up liquid, close the cap & you are ready to clean.

The Dishmatic is ideal because you can get replacement heads which means whether you want non-scratch or extra heavy duty you can get it all in this one dispenser - think of it as a fillable dishwand! And those pans we were talking about are no challenge when you use the Extra Heavy Duty Refill.

Refill Heads available:

• Dishmatic Non Scratch Replacement Heads: White - Non-Scratch


• Dishmatic Heavy Duty Replacement Heads: Green - Heavy Duty


• Dishmatic Extra Heavy Duty Replacement Heads: Black - Extra Heavy Duty

• Dispenses liquid


• Protects your hands


• Saves time


• Three different types of Refill heads available


• Made in England

Need something even more heavy duty? Need to clean a BBQ, Grill, Hot Plate etc.? You need the Dishmatic Scourer Washing up Liquid Dispenser. With it's long lasting knitted mesh of high grade stainless steel it will take care of these tougher jobs and save time.

Like the idea of the Dishmatic Washing Liquid Dispenser? Then you'll also like the Bathmatic Bathroom Cleaning Sponge with Extendable Handle to 18". This Bathroom Easy Reach extends up to 47cm ( 18" ) to reach almost anywhere in the bathroom and can be used in the folded or extended positions with any suitable bathroom cleaner.

The sponge can be removed for hand held use and has a non-scratch surface for lifting & removing dirt. It features a synthetic chamois surface for drying & polishing without smears and refill sponges are available. Like Dishmatic it's made in the UK.

So cleaning and washing doesn't always have to be about dry hands and backache! (and these products prove it!)