As warm weather approaches, many anticipate outdoor grilling. However, consumer experts are highlighting specific foods that should be avoided on the barbecue to prevent cooking mishaps.

Which? food experts caution that thin-cut bacon is a prime candidate for barbecue disaster. The excess fat can drip onto the coals, causing uncontrollable flare-ups that may burn food or even ignite a grease fire. Natalie Hitchins, Head of Which? Home Products and Services, noted that "getting it wrong could mean a messy grill."

Another item to reconsider is grated cheese. Experts warn that grated cheese tends to melt into the coals rather than onto food, potentially sticking to the grill and contributing to flare-ups from burning fat. For those who wish to add cheese, sliced cheese or varieties with lower melting points, such as mozzarella or American cheese singles, are recommended.

Puff pastry, often considered for creative barbecue dishes, is also not advised. Puff pastry requires consistent, diffuse heat for proper cooking and lamination, conditions not typically met by the intense direct heat of a barbecue. The result is often an exterior that burns before the pastry cooks through. Using a cast iron pan and a lid to create an oven-like environment could be an alternative for those determined to cook pastry outdoors.

Leafy greens like spinach and rocket are also unsuitable for direct grilling, as they are likely to wilt, burn, and disappear. Instead, Which? suggests charring hearty greens like romaine lettuce. Halving the lettuce lengthwise, brushing it with oil, and grilling cut-side down for a brief period can create a smoky base for salads.

Fresh pasta is another item that experts advise against grilling. Despite its quick cooking time, fresh pasta tends to stick to the grill and fall apart over direct heat. Raw rice or grains, which require water to cook, are also impractical to prepare on a barbecue.

Which? suggests that certain foods are well-suited for the barbecue, including watermelon, avocados, Camembert cheese, pizza, oysters, halloumi, romaine lettuce, bananas, eggs, and fruits like pineapple and peaches.