Warm and sunny days (and nights) are meant to be spent outside with friends and family. Grilled food and cookouts make those moments even better. To help you make the most of the grilling season, we have some tips and tricks for the perfect cookout.
Prep Food Early
You want to be ready when your guests start arriving so you can focus on the BBQ and enjoy your time with them. Prepare ingredients, sides, drinks, furniture, and other party necessities early so that you aren’t in the middle of preparations when your guests knock at the door.
Sufficient Fuel for the Grill and Fires
The whole point of the cookout is getting to cook outdoors on the BBQ. It will be a shame if you run out of fuel before you’ve finished all those burgers, wieners, and other dishes. Nothing snuffs out a cookout like running out of fuel. Ensure you have enough gas, charcoal, or wood pellets for your grill to keep the food sizzling. Similarly, if you’re setting up a fire for people to gather around, make sure you have enough fuel to keep it burning. If you’ve installed a gas line, you shouldn’t need to worry about running out for the grill or fire.
Have Others Bring Something
To ease your preparation needs, have guests bring something to contribute to the cookout. You can provide everything if you prefer, but asking guests to contribute something to the cookout emphasizes its communal aspect. Requesting that they bring drinks or a small side will increase the variety offered and ensure all your guests have something they will enjoy.
Have a Definitive Cocktail
While you may make your cookout BYOB, create a definitive cocktail for the cookout that you can provide your guests. This adds a personalized touch to your cookout. Prepare the cocktails early so that they can be served right to your guests as they arrive for a refreshing welcome.
Enough Seating and Tables
You want everyone you’ve invited to your backyard for the outdoor feast to feel welcome and comfortable. Ensure there are enough tables and seating for everyone to be able to sit comfortably and put down their plates and cups. Otherwise, your guests may find themselves awkwardly standing or holding onto their dishes. If you’ve invited a large crowd and don’t have enough chairs, lay down blankets and pillows for some bohemian seating. Be sure to also provide chairs, since some of your family or friends may have difficulty sitting on the ground.
Outdoor Handwashing Area
Finger food is made for cookouts, but between all the sauce and grease, hands start getting a little sticky and dirty. Make it convenient for guests to clean up with an outdoor handwashing area or station. Use your garden hose and maybe pair it with a basin and towel for an easy and cute area where guests can clean their hands.
Cast Iron Completes a Grill
The whole point of a cookout is cooking outside. With cast iron pans and skillets, you can go beyond the standard burgers and hot dogs. Cast iron cooking implements are hardy and designed to handle the intense heat of a BBQ. These will open a whole new culinary world for your grill and the food you can serve at your cookouts. Alternatively, you can also consider using rotisserie attachments for a truly grand cookout.
People Love to Play
It’s easy to focus on the food and drink you offer at cookouts. Remember, this is a social occasion. Use the outdoor setting to provide games that help people socialize and have fun. Horseshoes, a slip n’ slide, croquet, and more are all great ways to keep adults and kids entertained while you’re firing up the grill.
Provide Recycling, Garbage, and Compost Bins
Paper plates, disposable cutlery, beverage containers, and food scraps all come with a big cookout. Make disposal clean and convenient by providing bins for each. Your backyard will stay clean throughout the cookout, and you’ll have a lot less cleanup after the party ends.
Learn Any Dietary Restrictions
You don’t want anyone to leave a cookout hungry. Be sure to consider any dietary restrictions your guests have so they can share in the outdoor meal. This includes providing vegetarian and vegan options, such as burgers and sausages, as well as noting any of your guests’ allergies. For example, you can provide gluten-free buns for any guests with a gluten intolerance. Use RSVP/invites as an opportunity to learn about any dietary restrictions. That way you won’t be caught off-guard as you fire up the grill.
The Ingredients of a Perfect Cookout
Cookouts are a precious opportunity to show off your grilling skills. If you follow these tips and tricks, you’ll be able to focus on the cooking and provide an unforgettable event. Along with the incredible food, your guests will remember your backyard as the go-to summer destination. If you’re thinking that the next cookout needs a bigger grill or you need some new accessories, be sure to visit one of your locations and see the new products available.
