Summer can’t be complete without the barbecue for family and friends. It is a favorite part of the summer holidays for most people and in order to have a successful barbecue party, make sure you have everything you need. If you tend to forget something every time you organize one, it might be a good idea to make a list of all the important items and simply check it when you think you have everything ready. This will give you a chance to add things to the list throughout the process ensuring one successful barbecue.
Find the location
Once you decide to organize a barbecue, you need to find a location where it will be. If you have a big backyard, that is perfect and it can be completely stress-free since it is much easier. However, if you live in an apartment, but still want to organize a barbecue, you can always ask your friends if they can let you organize one in their yard or go to a park, campground or the beach.
Find a place where you won’t be on anyone’s way, so you can prepare the meat and everything else without feeling stressed. It is important to have plenty of room to enjoy the day freely, especially if there will be kids. Expect running around, so provide some interesting toys for smaller kids or board games for teenagers. It is also essential to keep the safety on the maximum level, so organize the space well to avoid unpleasant situations. Place the grill strategically, so it is out of reach for kids.
In addition, think about the weather. Unexpected things happen, so always have a backup plan in case it suddenly starts to rain – if you are in your back yard, that is easy, just go inside the house. However, if you are in the park or the beach, explore the area beforehand so you have a solution ready if it occurs.
Choose the right time
Make sure you choose the time that will be convenient for everyone. The weekend is usually the best because people don’t work and the kids don’t go to school, so there is more time to enjoy the day and eat tasty food. Set some kind of a schedule, so a 4 or 5-hour barbecue would be a perfect choice, so people don’t have to rush to be on time and then there is plenty of time to prepare the food, enjoy it slowly and have fun.
Get the perfect grill
There cannot be a barbecue without the grill, so if you don’t have it make sure you get one. There are 3 types of grills:
1. Charcoal grill
2. Gas grill
3. Electric grill
A charcoal grill is a great choice for people who want to enjoy the flavor and not give too much out of their budget since they are the most affordable ones. They give the meat a very unique smoky taste. However, the meet will not be the only one with the smoky smell – you will be too. That’s the flaw of the charcoal grill, it releases a lot of smoke, making it unacceptable if your neighbors are too close to you. It is also slow and it requires a lot of patience and time.
A gas grill is a little bit easier to control since it uses natural gas. It is a little bit more expensive, but it is much more convenient for use. You will get a tasty meet with less effort invested and in a much shorter period of time.
An electric grill is the finest version of the three. Even though the price range is higher, you will get the value of every dollar you invested it. It is a perfect option for people who live in an apartment but still want to enjoy the nice grilled piece of meat from time to time. The great thing about it is that there is no smoke! They are easy to set up and easy to clean after you’ve used it. The meat is tasty and evenly cooked, so there are no raw parts – unless you want to. If you are interested to find out more about the electric grills, visit shonagrill.com.
Make the list of people
There cannot be a gathering without the people and you certainly don’t want to miss anyone. This is why it is important to create a list of people ahead of time and simply go through it a few times. Think about the space you have and the number of people who can fit in there comfortably. You certainly don’t want to have a crowded space where there is not enough room to sit and eat. Think about the number of chairs you have that you can offer to your guests. Summer barbeque is all about enjoying a nice meal, a cold drink, beautiful weather, and a pleasant company, so make the most of it.
Prepare the drinks and the food
Depending on the number of people, you will need to prepare enough food and drinks so there is no person left with an empty stomach. Prepare the meat, spices, bread, salads, salad dressing, juices for the kids and various beverages for the rest of the guest. Also, make sure you prepare plenty of water. Don’t forget utensils such as the spatula, grill fork, gloves, apron, aluminum foil, oil, and a towel.
Enjoy
In the end, the only thing left is to enjoy it. Don’t get upset if something goes wrong. Relax. The barbecues are usually flavored with anecdotes from the previous gatherings. If some mishap occurs, smile. It will certainly be told many times again. Give yourself the chance to enjoy the company of your loved ones. Forget about your phone or your work. Family gatherings don’t happen often and they should be enjoyed to the fullest, so don’t forget to take a picture or two!
