Now that the warmer days of summer are nearing, individuals may be getting excited for all the BBQs they plan to host in your backyard. The grill or BBQ is the perfect place for family and friends to gather with chilly drinks, tasty foods and sweet or salty treats. Instead of settling for the same ho-hum party that sufficed last year, kick your backyard up a notch with these four basic tips that will get creative motors whirring and hands busily preparing for the fun times ahead.

 

Ready The BBQ

To have a great BBQ, one, of course, needs the grill readied to perfection. Now is the time to get rid of all the gunk from last year for those who did not take care of that in the fall and to season the grates to ensure that food cooks perfectly. The easiest way to get rid of burnt-on foods is to remove all the inner pieces and to place them in a large garbage bag with a cup of ammonia. Seal up the bag, and the fumes from the ammonia will do the rest of the work. After taking the grates out of the bag, simply wipe them clean with a damp paper towel. To keep food from sticking to these clean grates, season the grates with a swipe of oil across all cooking surfaces. Be sure to do this when the grill or BBQ is cool. Finally, ensure that there is plenty of propane to keep you cooking through all of your summer events. Don’t forget to check your propane and make sure you have sufficient for your grilling needs. Some people may choose to have propane delivered in Kitsap, or whatever region you preparing to grill in. If you’re unsure how to check your propane tank, consider using google to find more info.

 

Create A Classic Menu

Instead of getting carried away with a difficult menu inspired by Pinterest, keep the menu classic, which will ensure that there is something delicious for every guest to eat and will keep party preparers from running around at the last minute, cooking in the kitchen and decorating appetizers. Make as much as possible on the grill. Consider a variety of brats and sausages, hamburgers and stuffed hamburgers and chicken breasts or chicken and veggie foil packets. Grilled corn on the cob is always a fun addition, and baked beans and cold pasta or veggie salads make great side dishes. Keep dessert simple and fun with create-your-own ice cream sundaes or s’mores if there is to be a bonfire.

 

Set The Mood

Those who are having a fun family-oriented gathering can consider a carnival theme with colorful banners hanging from trees. For a more intimate gathering, hang lights from the trees, pitch a white tent and set up comfortable seating areas with soft music playing. For a rustic theme, use stumps and log benches for seating and having baskets of blankets scattered around should the night be cool. Keep the mood going with music in the background played over wireless speakers. You can go as big as you want or as little as you want when it comes to the theme, it can be whatever you think it should be. When choosing your theme, keep in mind your audience and whether or not kids will be attending. If there are children attending, it might be fun to choose a kid-friendly theme with games etc. You may also want to have an activity corner for the children to entertain themselves in while the adults can eat and socialize at a different part of your yard. Whatever is going to work best for your party, it’s important to take your audience into consideration when choosing a theme and setting up.

 

Have Something For The Children

If one is planning on having children be a part of the summertime BBQ, they should be included as much as possible. This will keep them from getting into trouble and will also help them have a fun and memorable experience just like their parents have. Those who have the space can set up a special area just for them with lawn games, such as croquet and bocce ball, or something more elaborate if they have the budget for it, such as a bouncy house or super slide. If it is going to be particularly hot, invite children to bring along swimsuits and set up a sprinkler or slip-and-slide for their enjoyment.

A little bit of advance planning can really take a so-so BBQ and make it the event of the summer. Whether one is inviting extended family, best girlfriends or old college friends, a BBQ is an amazing way to reconnect and relax under the sun. Who knows? If it goes well, parties may find their daytime BBQs extending into a festival under the stars, too.