Planning Your First BBQ of the Summer: Everything You Need to Know

Summer’s approaching, which also means that BBQ weather is approaching. Therefore, people across America are starting to get their grills ready for the numerous BBQs ahead; however, after months of going without, you may find yourself stumped about where to begin. There’s no denying that meat is the most important factor of any summer BBQ, as well as a multitude of other approaching customs, such as Qurbani 2022 and Thanksgiving. Regardless of culture, meat plays an integral role in a variety of aspects and is the driving force behind BBQs. So, how do you go about planning for the first BBQ of the summer?

Calculate How Much Food You Need

First things first, you need to calculate how much food you actually need. Not having enough will result in hungry and disgruntled guests, whilst too much will lead to you eating reheated burgers for days on end. You should count the number of guests who are planning to attend your gathering and determine how much food will be needed for each individual. If you’re ever unsure, it’s always a good idea to buy slightly more, as opposed to less. After all, you’d rather have a couple of hotdogs left over than have your guests going home with rumbling tummies.

Plan Your Menu ASAP

Before you go shopping, you should have your menu planned. This will prevent you from buying impulsively, which will also contribute to an excessive amount of leftover food. If in doubt, keep it simple. When dealing with a large party, you’re inevitably going to come across picky eaters, and simplicity will be just what they’re after. Don’t overthink what you’re serving, as no one goes to a BBQ for a gourmet meal. All anyone will be after is some juicy grilled meats and a nice, cold beverage. After all, good company is the most important thing!

Get Hold of a Bluetooth Speaker

Music is essential for a fun-filled BBQ, and, out of convenience, a Bluetooth speaker is your best bet. You can even make sure that everyone gets some input on the music by creating a Spotify party, whereby everyone will be able to queue their own songs. This is the perfect solution for family parties, where music tastes couldn’t be further apart, or even the most diverse of friendship groups. Music is vital for setting the tone of any gathering, and a Bluetooth speaker will successfully aid you in doing so.

Organize Outdoor Refrigeration

Whether it’s a cool box or an ice bucket, you’ll want something outside in which everyone can place their drinks. This will save people from constantly traipsing through the house to get to and from the fridge, which isn’t ideal for homes with a lawn and carpets. Similarly, this is a great way to show your guests all the drinks you have on offer without rifling through all your cupboards. Additionally, it’s always a good idea to store your drinks away from raw meat for safety purposes, and a cool box outside means that your fridge can be reserved for your meat.

Establish Trash Locations

If one thing is certain, it’s that gatherings of lots of people can lead to a lot of trash being generated. As a result, you’ll want to establish a handful of trash locations to prevent you from running around and throwing stuff away the following day. Signal where you wish people to put their trash, and they’ll be able to take care of it themselves, rather than accumulating a load for you to deal with later down the line.