Warmer weather and sunshine are on the horizon and are rapidly approaching. In just a mere few months, the air will be filled with the smell of barbecues once again.
Sounds good? Can’t wait? Wanna start early? Okay, here’s some tips on getting a head start on barbecue season this year. From bbq accessories to maintenance advice, we’ll list what you need to consider. The early bird gets the… burger.
How Is Your Outdoor Space Looking?
One of the first and most important things you should do to get things ready is assess the place where you’ll be barbecuing and hosting. Is your outdoor space/garden looking okay, or has it seen better days?
If it’s taken a battering during the winter seasons, then your first step is to freshen things up and undo the damage that the bitter cold can do.
This could mean:
- Mowing grass
- Trimming bushes and tree branches
- Giving fences/gates a new lick of paint
- Power washing paving or stone areas
- Planting new flowers and plants (maybe even fruits and veg to use in your barbecue later on!)
- Buying outdoor furniture or cleaning existing furniture
- Add outdoor accessories such as shelter (for sun and rain), storage, blankets, lighting and outdoor heating solutions such as a fire pit or patio heater to combat chilly evening winds
After all that is done, you should be left with a clean, clear, comfortable and inviting atmosphere for guests.
Maintaining Your Current Barbecue (or Buying a New One)
Once the space around your barbecue is looking better, it’s time to focus on the machine itself.
If you currently have a trusted grill, grab a grill brush and give it a once over, making sure it’s clean and ready to go. Test it and make sure it’s in working order. Do this way ahead of time in case you need to order replacement or spare parts. Which may be sold by a specialist or your barbecue manufacturer.
If you are in the market for a new machine, you have several choices – each with their own pros and cons. It all comes down to personal preference, budget, and cooking style…
- Charcoal BBQ – classic taste, but may require more expertise, patience or trial and error
- Gas BBQ – better, faster heat control, but you may miss the kind of flavour you get from charcoal
- Hybrid BBQ – best of both worlds, but could be expensive
If the gathering is small, and you won’t need as much food, or you want to take your barbecues elsewhere, you could also always try out a portable barbecue. These are usually cheaper and so might be a good option for beginners.
Stock Up
Check that you have all the right BBQ accessories. It’ll make cooking a lot easier and you don’t want to get caught short without an essential item.
Essential accessory list:
- Tongs
- Spatula
- Grill Brush
- Meat Thermometer
Many of these come together in “BBQ essential tool kits”. There’s a lot more you can purchase to enhance your grilling and flavour repertoire, such as rotisseries, skewers, pizza stones, grill baskets and smoker boxes.
Don’t forget to stock up on fuel early, whether that’s charcoal or propane. You don’t want to run out in the middle of cooking, so get a spare.
Find Inspiration with New Recipes
Go out and buy some recipe books. Maybe there are ones that use a specific diet or ingredient that you’re interested in trying? Meat, veg, keto, low-fat, a specific culture’s cuisine or maybe just a book from your favourite celebrity chef.
Thinking ahead, you could also ask for recipe books for Christmas, birthdays, father’s/mother’s days, etc.
Alternatively, there’s a whole host of online recipes easily available to you, as well as video tutorials on YouTube and Instagram.
You don’t even have to follow recipes to a tee, you can just find inspiration, learn new grilling techniques and experiment, adding your own twist on other’s recipes.
Once you’ve got your recipes and meal ideas, you can start planning what meals you’ll want to make. Whether it’s a classic mix of burgers, sausages, ribs, and chicken wings, or something different.
Make sure to ask your barbecue guests what food they’d want, and factor in any dietary requirements or allergies.
Final Thoughts
Being prepared means you can go out and start barbecuing any time you want, even if it’s just a quick treat for yourself on a sunny day. So grab your tools, accessories, and recipes. Don’t wait, barbecue season starts whenever you want.
