July 26th, 2018 by
Hosting a BBQ is a great way to bring friends and family together. They can be fun events for all the family and give you something to look forward to on those sunny weekends! A BBQ is a great way to break up the routine and you can throw one on short notice as they don’t take much planning. However, there are a couple of things you should be aware of if you want to throw the perfect BBQ. We’ve put together some simple BBQ tips that’ll make things a little easier to help you have fun in the sun at your grill!
Hold a Bring Your Own Food BBQ
While you should definitely provide some food for your guests, it’s always a good idea to get people to bring a bit of their own stuff, too. Most people won’t mind and it guarantees that everyone will be happy with the food on offer! This is especially useful if you’re inviting vegetarians around and aren’t sure what veggie options to include.
Dispose of the Disposable BBQ
Unless you’re going out camping or something, don’t bother with disposable BBQs. They might seem like a cheap alternative, but they’ll cost you more than a proper BBQ over the years and aren’t of a very high quality. They’re tiny, don’t last for long enough to cook things properly, and won’t cook your food evenly, leading to undercooked or burnt food for your guests. Pick up a proper BBQ that’ll last you for years to save yourself money in the long-term and get perfect results every time you fire up the grill.
Start Early
Nobody turns up early to a BBQ! It’s an unwritten rule that your guests won’t turn up on time to give you plenty of leeway to get everything ready and get the grill hot. If you invite people around at 5pm, people may not turn up until 6-7pm, which is fine if you’re planning an all-nighter, but not if you want a laid-back family gathering. Bear this in mind when thinking about what time to fire up your BBQ!
Take Meat Out of the Fridge Early
You want your meat to be at room temperature before you start cooking it. If you take it out of the fridge and immediately slap it on the grill, it could burn on the outside before it has a chance to cook right through to the middle. This is especially important if you’re cooking chicken! Take your meat out of the fridge at least 30 minutes before you put it on the BBQ. This’ll let it warm up to room temperature so it cooks evenly.
Don’t Mow the Lawn
It might be tempting to mow your lawn just before you have people around to get your garden looking tidier, but that’s not a good idea. If any of your guests have hayfever, cutting your grass just before people arrive will cause grass pollen to spread around your garden which might trigger their allergies. It’s much better to keep your lawn well-maintained all year round with a regular mowing schedule and some iron sulphate to ensure it’s soft and lush.
Clean Your BBQ
BBQ grills have to go through a lot of abuse – extreme heat, burnt on fat, and dust from being stored outside – so often a simple run through a dishwasher isn’t enough to get them properly clean. Use some BBQ Blitz to power through the burnt-on grease and grime that accumulates on your grill shelf. Use it overnight before your BBQ to guarantee yourself a completely spotless and hygienic grill.
Let the BBQ Heat Up Before You Put the Food On
If you chuck loads of food on as soon as you light the BBQ, you risk burning the outside of your meat while leaving the inside raw. Wait for the flames to die down and the coals to turn white to give yourself an even heat that’ll cook your food properly.
Take Care of Your Artificial Grass
If you have artificial grass or Astroturf in your garden, keep your BBQ well away from it. Dropping hot coals or food onto artificial grass can melt it, leaving you with unsightly bare patches that you can’t fix without replacing huge patches of lawn. It’s always a good idea to use some artificial grass cleaner on your lawn before your guests come around, too, to ensure your garden looks fresh and clean.
Be Prepared
Make sure everything is in place and ready to go the day before your BBQ. That means have everything cleaned, have your meat marinating, and have your drinks chilling in the fridge. This will leave you with a lot less stress on the morning of your BBQ and will make sure everything goes smoothly.
Enjoy It!
This is the most important one – your BBQ isn’t just for your guests! Make sure you enjoy it and take advantage of the social benefits of hosting a BBQ. Don’t chain yourself to the grill, go out and mingle, have a few drinks, and enjoy yourself. You’ll find this helps the whole event go a lot smoother and everyone is sure to appreciate it!
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