#bbqgrillsuae

Quick Summary

Good BBQ begins before the food reaches the grill. It starts with the fuel, the fire, and the right cooking equipment. This was clear at the Open Fire Food Festival in Abu Dhabi, where experienced pitmasters, chefs, families, and BBQ lovers came together to celebrate cooking over an open flame.

The 2025 festival was held at Etihad Park on Yas Island. It featured live cooking, BBQ demonstrations, food stalls, music, and family activities. Elite Horizon joined the festival as an official sponsor, supporting the event with premium charcoal, cooking firewood, smart grills, and outdoor cooling products.

Why BBQ Fuel Mattered at the Festival

Cooking at a large outdoor festival is very different from preparing a small BBQ at home. Chefs need fuel that lights properly, reaches the required heat, and keeps burning during long cooking sessions.

Weak or poor-quality charcoal can create several problems. It may burn too quickly, produce too much ash, or make the temperature difficult to control. Damp firewood can also create extra smoke and struggle to stay lit.

At the festival, Elite Horizon supplied fuel designed to support both quick grilling and slower cooking. This gave chefs more control when preparing steaks, burgers, ribs, brisket, and other fire-cooked dishes.

Premium Charcoal for Steady Heat

PURE FIRE premium charcoal was one of the main fuel products presented at the event. According to Elite Horizon, this natural hardwood charcoal is made without chemical additives and is designed to provide strong, steady heat with less ash.

These qualities are useful for several reasons:

Fast lighting reduces the time spent preparing the grill.

Steady heat helps food cook more evenly.

A longer burn supports slow-cooked meat.

Lower ash makes the grill easier to manage and clean.

Natural hardwood allows the flavour of the food to remain the main focus.

For home users, choosing premium BBQ charcoal in the UAE can make outdoor cooking more predictable. It is especially useful when preparing several dishes or cooking larger cuts of meat that need more time.

Cooking Firewood for Natural Smoke and Aroma

Firewood adds more than heat. It can also add a natural smoky aroma to food. However, the wood must be dry, untreated, and suitable for cooking.

BAD AXE firewood was used as part of Elite Horizon’s festival support. The hardwood is prepared with a low moisture level to help it light more easily and burn steadily. Consistent log sizes also make it easier for cooks to manage the fire.

Cooking-grade firewood can be used for:

BBQ grills

Meat smokers

Pizza ovens

Fire pits

Open-fire cooking

Painted, treated, damp, or unknown wood should never be used for cooking. A safe choice is properly prepared hardwood sold specifically for BBQs, smokers, or pizza ovens.

Charcoal or Firewood: Which Should You Choose?

The right choice depends on what you are cooking.

Charcoal is useful when you want steady heat and easier temperature control. It works well for burgers, chicken, kebabs, steaks, and many everyday BBQ dishes.

Firewood is better when you want a stronger flame and a deeper smoke aroma. It is often used for brisket, ribs, large cuts of meat, and wood-fired pizza.

Many experienced cooks use both. Charcoal creates a reliable base of heat, while a small amount of cooking wood adds smoke and aroma. Before combining them, check that your grill or smoker is designed for both types of fuel.

Smart Grills Made Fire Easier to Control

Smoking Aces Smart Grills were also featured at the festival. These grills are designed to help users control cooking temperatures more easily while keeping heat spread across the cooking area.

They can support different cooking methods, including:

Direct grilling

Slow smoking

Roasting

High-heat cooking

This makes them suitable for beginners who are still learning how to manage a charcoal fire, as well as experienced cooks who want more control over longer BBQ sessions.

The combination of a well-designed grill and dependable fuel can reduce sudden temperature changes and help prevent food from cooking too quickly on one side.

Cooling Was Part of the BBQ Setup Too

Outdoor cooking is not only about fire. Meat, drinks, sauces, and other ingredients must also be kept cold before they are used.

Elite Horizon supplied Igloo coolers during the festival to help food teams keep ingredients and drinks properly chilled. Their strong build and large storage space made them suitable for a busy outdoor event.

For a home BBQ, a separate cooler can help keep raw meat away from ready-to-eat food and drinks. It also reduces the need to open the main refrigerator repeatedly while cooking outside.

What UAE BBQ Lovers Can Learn from the Festival

The festival offered some practical lessons that can improve any outdoor BBQ:

Choose charcoal based on heat and burn time, not only price.

Use dry, untreated hardwood made for cooking.

Keep fuel protected from moisture.

Prepare a hot side and a cooler side on the grill.

Keep food properly chilled until it is ready to cook.

Use a grill that matches your experience and cooking style.

Always use charcoal grills and firewood outdoors in a safe, open area.

These simple choices make the fire easier to manage and give the cook more time to focus on the food.

A Celebration of Fire, Food, and Community

The Open Fire Food Festival showed why live-fire cooking remains popular across the UAE. It brings people together and turns a meal into a shared outdoor experience.

Elite Horizon’s contribution also showed that successful BBQ cooking depends on more than the recipe. Reliable charcoal, dry cooking firewood, controlled heat, suitable grills, and proper cooling all play an important part.