Cooking meals that the whole family enjoys can be a challenge at the best of times. When you are trying to do this in the confined space of a caravan with limited facilities this task is even more daunting. However, there is an easy solution, which is to barbecue whenever you can during your caravanning holiday.

Try not to cook anything too elaborate in your caravan; even simple barbecue food can be made over complicated. Remember that you only have limited space for condiments and ingredients inside the caravan, so complicated marinades for your fish or meat involving 15 ingredients is best left for your home barbecues.

Do as much preparation as you can before you leave home. If your caravan has a good-sized fridge and freezer pre-stock them with frozen kebabs, burgers, sausages, fish parcels, corn on the cob etc. Take food that does not need pre-cooking before putting on to the barbecue to finish off. Remember to put your caravan’s freezer on the night before you leave home, so that the food you put into it does not defrost during the journey.

You can use any type of barbecue when caravanning, but the best type is one that is small, light and easy to clean. A small gas barbecue is usually a good option, but you need to check that it can use the same gas as your caravan or you will have to carry an additional bulky and heavy gas bottle just for the barbecue. Disposable or tabletop barbecues are another good option when barbecuing in a caravan. The disposable ones have the added bonus of not needing to be cleaned.

To stay safe when barbecuing whilst caravanning requires a bit more thought and planning than barbecuing at home. You will need to find a flat surface that is not too near to the caravan, the awning, other campers or trees to avoid the risk of fire. You also need to make sure that the barbecue is not placed somewhere that it can be accidentally tipped over by children, other campers or dogs. If it has wheels, you need to chock them, so that the barbecue does not roll away from you whilst you are using it.

Learn more about holiday parks in the UK and Wales. Visit Vale Holidays to find the best advice on holiday homes in Wales and Cornwall for you.