Spring is just around the corner, and now that the weather is warming up, it’s time to think about your first cookout of the year. There’s never been a better excuse to get together with your family and friends to enjoy the new season and to spend time together. However, preparing for a cookout isn’t always as easy as it sounds. It can take a lot of effort and time to get everything ready for the perfect cookout. So, here are our top tips to make sure your gathering goes with a swing.
Keeping It Simple
The key to a brilliant cookout is keeping it simple. There’s no need to go over the top. Hot dogs and burgers will do just fine. You don’t even need to serve the food yourself. Simply put all the toppings out on a table and allow everyone to help themselves. Easy!
Get Others To Help
If you’re inviting a lot of people to your cookout, it can turn into quite an onerous exercise. Preparing food for a large number of guests can be time-consuming and stressful. Why not ease the burden by asking every guest to bring a little something for the meal? This will restrict your duties to simply cooking the meat while everyone else will supply the sides, desserts and appetizers – and let’s face it, those are the complicated parts of the meal!
What About The Weather?
The trouble with spring time is that you can’t always predict what the weather is going to be like. The day may start out warm and sunny but by the time the hot dogs are on the barbecue, it might suddenly turn overcast or, even worse, rainy. Don’t allow the weather to ruin your occasion. Make sure you have a plan B, just in case of inclement conditions. Put up a gazebo or set up umbrellas over your cookout area to protect from rain and prepare a space indoors to eat just in case the worst should happen.
What About Drinks?
Drinks can be a major issue at any gathering. Will you be providing them all? Will people bring their own? It can get very expensive if you’re expected to provide drinks for a large group of people, especially if they want to be served alcohol. It might be best to suggest that everyone brings their own, and then supply a few basics like juice, soda and water.
Will I Have Entertainment?
You might want to keep your guests entertained, but you need to think about who you’ve invited and what would make them happy without feeling uncomfortable. While some people may love some silly games, some guests might feel awkward and embarrassed. If in doubt, try to keep it neutral. Play some inoffensive music and if you’re going to have games, don’t force everyone to join in.
Cooking The Food
Of course, a big part of the cookout is the meal itself. That means you need to make sure your barbecue is ready to take on the challenge. Make sure you have everything to hand so you don’t run out of anything before the day itself, and make sure you have sufficient gas or charcoal to keep your barbecue running. You might want to consider something a little different for your cookout instead of a traditional barbecue. What about a pellet smoker? They’re much more convenient than a barbecue which makes them perfect for your outing, and the flavor they give to the meat is just amazing. Your guests are sure to be impressed.
Prepare In Advance
Although a small scale cookout can be planned on the spot, if you’re planning a major event, you need to prepare several days in advance. Make sure you’ve cleaned out your fridge ready to store the food, bought everything you need from the store, cleaned the grill and prepared any decorations or entertainment.
With the right preparation, we’re sure that your spring cookout will be a wonderful success. No matter what kind of food you serve, the best thing about any cookout is spending time with loved ones, so take the time to enjoy it!