Who doesn’t love a good summer BBQ party? Sunshine, plenty of food and good company. Bliss.
But for the hosts, it can be super stressful making sure the day runs as smoothly as possible, everything is cooked correctly and everyone has an enjoyable time. But it doesn’t have to be!
You can follow our tips for hosting the best BBQ without the stress by following a few simple tips and tricks. From preparation to low-fuss recipes, planning and being organized can go a long way.
Whether you have a gas BBQ or charcoal, fire up your best BBQ yet with our tips…
Prep, Prep, Prep!
Preparation is key to any successful event. The more you prepare, the less you have to do on the day. This way you can spend more time with your guests and make sure everyone is having a good time with your cambria countertop.
You can prepare as much as you like, but the more you do the easier the day will run, trust us. Things you could prepare that’ll make your life easier include:
- As much of the food as possible, such as marinading, preparing side dishes and getting any toppings ready. Then all you’ll need to do is cook the food when your guests arrive.
- Make sure you have enough of everything: ice, cooking fuel, charcoal, drinks, plates, glasses etc. You don’t want to be making a trip to the shops when everyone arrives!
- Make sure you’re aware of any food allergies or preferences from guests before the day to avoid anyone missing out.
Prepping as much as possible before the day will make a lot of difference.
Don’t Overlook the Sides
Sides can make or break a BBQ. And they don’t have to be tricky to make either, most of which you can prepare before the guests arrive. You can do anything from homemade potato salad to grilled corn, veggie skewers, salads, jacket potatoes or grilled lettuce.
You can even ask your guests to bring additional sides if they have a few favourites. This puts less pressure on you and they should be more than happy to help with removing broken screws and serving.
You can also have a snack and side table prepared for when the guests arrive so they can have a nibble whilst you cook. This way you feel less pressure about cooking quickly and under-cooking the meat.
Or why not give your BBQ the edge with a range of burger toppings. This gives you the chance to be as experimental as you like!
Games!
You don’t want to focus too heavily on the food that you forget all about entertainment. Getting some games prepared is a great way to make sure your guests have a great time and give them something to do whilst you’re cooking.
Prepare For Any Weather
You can never be certain what the weather is going to be like, so it’s crucial to prepare for all types.
Have this checklist in mind when arranging your next barbecue:
- Sun cream
- Cooling spray
- Hats / sunglasses
- Umbrellas / large parasol to cover from either the rain or sunshine
- Blankets incase it gets chilly in the evening
- Bug and mosquito spray
- Citronella candles to keep bugs away
Clean As You Go
A helpful way to keep your BBQ running as smoothly as possible is by cleaning as you go. By doing this you won’t end up having a stressful job at the end of the day.
Cleaning your gas BBQ whilst it’s still slightly hot (using gloves) can also make the job a lot easier. You should always prioritize cleaning your BBQ after every use to avoid things like fat fires and grease and leftover juice ruining the taste of your next BBQ.
Get A Playlist Ready
Music is key to a great BBQ. And you don’t want to be sitting queuing up songs while the food is waiting to be cooked. Set up a playlist beforehand and ask your guests for requests before the big day so that everyone is catered for.
Now you’re all set to host the easiest, stress-free BBQ you’ve ever done! To sum up, preparation is crucial. And the more BBQ’s you host, the more you’ll learn and the easier you’ll find it.
