Instant barbeques are a plague! Along with patio heaters they should be consigned to the deepest pits of product hell. The Ranger has for once cast aside his normal reserve to tell you, frankly, five reasons why the 'disposable BBQ' is a despicable thing.

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1. They have sharp edges and prick your fingers
No, really. It might not seem like much but they make razor wire blunter than these things. When you've had to pick up enough of them you'll see what the problem is. They just bust out of the rubbish bag and rip your legs up.

2. They're not really very sustainable, are they?
No, they are not. Far from it. Chinese charcoal in Hungarian foil, shipped to you for 99p. Burnt from old-growth forests, huge mileage, blah blah. You thought The Ranger would save that one until last, eh? Well, this is no eco-rant. There's far worse than destroying the planet for the benefit of the multinationals. So keep reading.

3. They make the beach stink
The Ranger and his delightful companion were paddling in the sea today, when some goon fired up one of these foil squares. The beach was instantly filled with choking, acrid fumes. Now it may be that the perpetrator used some unauthorised fire accelerant, but the easy availability of these gadgets does seem to mean that everyone can have a BBQ anywhere, and in places where they would never have lugged all the necessary gear before. Too much, says The Ranger. Anyway, the smell gets into the food, too, whatever they put in those things tastes foul.

4. They burn holes in the grass and in picnic benches
You see the tell-tale square burn marks everywhere. They burn the grass, they burn the furniture. You can't get it off, it looks bad. Recycled plastic benches get it particualrly badly. Please, if you must use them, use them on something you can't melt or scorch. Like the bonnet of your car, maybe.

5. They make The Ranger's roof leak
Yes, the sin of sins. This is the big one. See this:

This is the delightful Fort Victoria Country Park, where The Ranger has the privilige of working from time to time. This photo shows the roof of the listed Victorian fortress, where visitors can enjoy spectacular views of the western Solent. it is also the roof of the Ranger base, below, and it is clad in asphalt. Can you see what's coming? Here it is:

Aaargh! No! The barbequers have struck again. The barbeques have melted the roof. Twice, if you look carefully on the main picture. Of all the places...

So please, if you love Rangers anywhere, just say no to disposable barbeques.