A No-Stress Approach to Cooking Multiple Dishes at once

There’s a running stereotype that men can’t multitask, and you know what? Maybe we’ve done enough to deserve it. We’ve tried speaking on the phone while tidying up, or attempting to keep an eye on the kids whilst keeping track of the dinner, only to end up setting off the smoke alarm (from the oven, not the children thankfully). But, when it comes to a BBQ, we now have the perfect trick up our sleeves.

From flipping steaks, turning veg, and hosting a crowd, we’ve discovered that on the grill, multitasking isn’t about juggling everything at the same time; it’s about planning so we don’t have to be everywhere at once.

Prep Ahead, Focus on Flow

BBQ multitasking doesn’t start at the fire — it starts at the prep table. Ingredients seasoned, trays stacked, sauces at the ready — having all that organised before the coals even spark means we can focus on getting the absolute best flavour out all our food at the same time.

Tools help too: trays for finished items, a steak press for searing, separate boards for raw ingredients, and of course, protective gloves to prevent burns. Everything has its place, which means when someone asks “Is it nearly ready?” we can answer with confidence instead of “just another 5 minutes” for the fourth time.

Zones and Timing: The Backbone of Multi-Dish Cooking

A seamless cook is all about the fire. A well-established blaze naturally creates zones: a hot centre for searing, a medium area for steady cooks, and a gentler space near the embers for slower items. A consistent bed of coals makes this possible — a built in Firebox Kit quietly helps by keeping the fuel supply steady, so we’re not constantly moving logs or guessing at temperatures. With the fire behaving itself, we can focus on timing instead of panicking.

Multitasking really comes down to sequencing with intent. Everything goes on in stages so all the dishes finish at around the same time:

• Low and slow: spatchcock chicken or picanha joint first, over the embers where they’ll cook evenly.
• Mid-length cooks: grilled sausages, or veg skewers next, enjoying that steady medium heat.
• Quick cooks: king prawns, halloumi or a tomahawk steak last, near the hot zone.

By planning like this, we’re always working toward a finish line, not constantly redistributing our attention to the latest fire that needs putting out (not literally, we hope).

Let Some Things Cook Themselves

Part of successful multitasking is recognising what doesn’t need constant fiddling. Vegetables like skewered peppers can happily sing along over moderate heat while we focus on main courses. A rotisserie, for example, turns slowly and evenly on its own, giving us freedom to check steaks, sausages, or sides without worrying about overcooking the centrepiece.

Technique still matters, but the BBQ does a surprising amount of the work for us. Trusting that process — and setting things up so it can handle the heavy lifting — is at the heart of effective grilling.

Enjoy the Process

So yes, we can flip steaks, turn veg, and keep a chicken from drying out all at once — but when it’s planned properly, with zones, timing, and a steady fire, is it really multitasking? Well, not really. Just good planning disguised as organisation.

That’s the trick of a well-run BBQ: we get all the food cooked, everything comes off the grill at the right time, and nobody’s stressing over what’s burning.

So, can men multitask? If we’re completely honest, still no. But we look impressively busy doing it, and that’s got to count for something…

FAQs

What’s the biggest mistake when trying to cook lots of things at once?
Starting everything together. When multiple items hit the grill at the same time, they almost never finish together, which leads to rushed adjustments and unnecessary stress. Planning start times so food comes off together is what keeps the whole cook feeling controlled rather than chaotic.

Which foods are best left to cook without interference?
Whole chickens, rotisserie joints, pulled pork, thicker cuts, and most vegetables over moderate heat are happiest when left alone. These items cook steadily and predictably, making them ideal anchors while quicker dishes are added and finished around them.

Do I need a large BBQ to cook multiple dishes?
Not necessarily. Even smaller grills can handle multiple dishes if heat zones are used properly and food is staged intelligently. Organisation and timing will always matter more than sheer cooking surface. Don’t worry, size isn’t everything, even if the wife says otherwise.

How much prep should be done before lighting the fire?
Almost all of it. Seasoning, chopping, portioning, and setting up trays beforehand removes decision-making once the fire is going. The more that’s done in advance, the calmer and more deliberate the cooking feels once everything is live.

So… can men actually multitask on a BBQ?
If multitasking means doing everything at once, probably not. But if it means planning well enough that nothing needs constant attention, then the BBQ might be the one place where it looks like we can. Whether that counts is open to interpretation — but the end product is surely what matters most.

Want to give it a go? If you’re looking for ideas that can be cooked side by side and brought together at the right moment, there’s plenty to experiment with in our recipes.