BBQ essentials...

The time: This weekend The place: Your back garden

If the sun's out long enough to grill a sausage you can be sure someone will suggest having a barbecue. They're a great idea providing you've got the right stuff. But it's no fun if you risk getting third- degree burns while desperately trying to cook over a makeshift brick affair. So get prepared for that long-awaited summer and invest in the following key items.

This trendy minimalist Arcla Galaxie 3 barbecue at pounds 390 has ribbed and flat griddles. The cast iron is excellent for cooking eggs, fish, mushrooms. For stockists call 01 458 274666

The Sterling 1022 at pounds 199 has ceramic briquettes designed to reduce flare-up, a warming shelf and grill area, gas ring and shelf. For stockists call 01 51 3368246

Avoid burnt fingers with a barbecue stainless steel tool set, pounds 19.95, sausage grill, pounds 4.25, fish grill, pounds 6.50 and veggie holder, pounds 7.95. If you fancy having a barbecue on the beach or while camping try this portable style at pounds 13.75 and pack some night lights like these yellow flower candles pounds 1.95, all from Lakeland Plastics on 015394 88100

Keep the salad crisp in this yellow bowl, pounds 12.95, hands clean with strawberry napkins, pounds 1.75, and the wine chilled with this cooler, pounds 11.45, all from Waitrose

If you don't have time to make your own marinades try M&S vegetable kebabs pounds 1.99 and chargrilled marinaded whole chicken with extra virgin olive oil, parsley and thyme, pounds 3.99

Chicken kebab recipe:

375g of boneless chicken pieces 3 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon chilli sauce

1 large red pepper

2 corn cobs

4 pickling onions, peeled

soaked bamboo skewers

Cut the chicken into cubes. In a bowl combine soy and chilli sauces. Add the chicken and leave to marinate for 30 minutes. Drain, reserving the marinade. De-seed the pepper and cut into large cubes. Chop the corn into 2cm-wide pieces. Thread chicken, pepper, onion and sweetcorn onto soaked skewers. Barbecue or grill until golden, brushing with marinade during cooking. Serves 4-6

If all else fails buy an electric indoor Magimix at pounds 149 which uses hot stones instead of charcoal