Is there anything quite as American as a good, old-fashioned summer BBQ? Whether you’re hosting a family reunion or having a tiny get-together with your closest friends, a cookout is definitely a favorite American pastime.
Though barbeques are best known for their casual vibe, hosting a BBQ can feel anything but laidback for the host.
Having people over for some burgers and beers doesn’t have to be stressful, though. With just a little bit of planning ahead of time, you can ensure that your only priorities are manning the grill, restocking the drink cooler, and having a great time with your guests.
That’s why we put together this list of the best tips for hosting a BBQ this summer. Stick with us while we check out everything you need to know.
Invest in Your Setup
If you’re planning on making grilling a big part of your life during the warm summer months, it’s worth it to invest in a solid setup. Whether you have a full-scale outdoor kitchen or a simple patio with a grill, it’s worth getting the tools you need to make your BBQ experience stress-free, enjoyable, and consistently delicious.
Some of the essential tools for your BBQ needs include:
Sturdy tongs
Metal skewers
Spatula
Cooling rack
Grill brush
Wooden cutting board
Meat thermometer
Chimney (for charcoal grills)
Sharp, high-quality knives
Of course, you’ll also have to decide on the perfect grill for your needs as well. Whether you’d prefer to have a charcoal or a gas grill is entirely up to you– there are pros and cons to each option. You’ll find steadfast charcoal proponents anywhere you look online as well as diehard gas grill fans.
Keep It Simple
Whether you’re hosting a small family get-together or a huge neighborhood party, it’s best to not overcomplicate things. At the end of the day, one of the best things about BBQs is that they are casual affairs. Choose a few recipes you know like the back of your hand and focus on quality over quantity.
Prep Your Food Ahead of Time
While backyard barbeques are known for being laidback gatherings, it doesn’t always feel that way for the host. It can be a struggle to socialize and manage the grill (not to mention all those side dishes) at the same time. While you can’t prep everything ahead of time, lean on the side of chopping up all your veggies, making your burger patties, and filling the drink coolers before your first guest arrives.
Set the Mood
It doesn’t take much to take your backyard from basic to spectacular when it comes to setting the mood for your BBQ. Consider hanging some outdoor string lights, setting up some tiki torches, or otherwise adding some accent lighting.
Another key feature of a successful backyard barbeque is having a killer playlist for background music. You want the music to be loud enough to set the mood, but you don’t want your guests to feel like they can’t hear each other when they’re standing two feet apart.
When creating your playlist, focus on upbeat, summery tunes that help create a positive and social mood among the crowd.
Ask For Some Help
Hosting a backyard BBQ can sound like a great time, but it doesn’t take long to start feeling overwhelmed by all of the little details. One easy way to take some of that stress off of your shoulders is to ask your guests to bring a side dish. This is really a win-win: people love being able to show off their best summer recipes and it means you can focus on the other important elements of your gettogether.
Keep the Kids Occupied
If your BBQ is going to be a family affair, consider setting up some yard games so that all of the little ones stay occupied while the adults socialize. Whether you have horseshoes, cornhole, Twister, or another wholesome game for the kids, this is a great way to ensure that parents can relax and have a great time.
Stock the Drink Coolers
Of course, it wouldn’t be a BBQ with a cooler stocked with ice and tons of refreshing drinks. Even if there aren’t kids coming to your cookout, it’s a good idea to have some non-alcoholic drinks in addition to beer and wine coolers. If you’re feeling like going the extra mile, you can make some summer cocktails for your guests to enjoy. If you decide to go this route, you’ll definitely want to pre-mix them rather than make them to order.
Serve Your Horderves Away From the Grill
When you’re hosting a BBQ, you’ve got a lot on your mind. You’re keeping an eye on the drink cooler to make sure it stays stocked, you’re surveying the landscape to make sure all of your guests are having a good time, and, of course, you’re manning the grill. While some people might be pros at multi-tasking, it can be difficult to have people constantly interrupting you when you’re flipping burgers.
For this reason, it’s a good idea to set up your snack or appetizer table away from where the main cooking is happening. As people are arriving and getting settled, they can enjoy your array of snacks and socialize amongst themselves while you focus on the art of grilling. This can help to reduce stress and make everything go more smoothly.
Our Final Tip: Have Fun!
Having people over can be stressful in itself, and planning a big BBQ can start to feel like a logistical nightmare if you’re not careful. By keeping it simple and following these tips, you can ensure that your barbeque isn’t just a hit with your guests, but that you get to have a great time, too.
At Sirr’s Furniture, we love an old-fashioned Texas BBQ just as much as the next guy. We want to make sure that your next cookout is the best one yet! If you’re searching for the perfect wooding cutting board for your outdoor setup, check out our online shop here.