Planning on hosting a BBQ or two this summer? If so, you should check out these BBQ tips to make your cookout a breeze! These awesome hacks will make barbecuing so much more fun and manageable.
Clever BBQ Tips &Â Hacks to Save the Day
Keeping things as clean and organized as possible isn’t always a priority. But, with these tips, it may be easier than you think.
Fitted Sheets on Tables
If you have some extra fitted sheets, place them over the tables as tablecloths. Twin size sheets work great for staying put and you don’t have to worry about your tablecloth blowing off. Then if they get dirty you can easily toss them in the wash.
Trash Cans Outside
Make sure to have trash cans out where people can see them. Then they can toss their plates and such in the trash cans. If you recycle just label one trash and one recycling!
Dirty Dish Bin
If you are using plates or silverware that need to be washed, consider placing a laundry basket out, and put a sign that says dirty dish bin. Then when people finish their meal they can place the dishes in the basket, so you can easily carry it inside to wash! Place bin by the trash so they can scrape off any leftover food into the trash.
Kiddie Pool for Cold Dishes
Add some ice to a kiddie pool and then place some cold dishes like pasta salad, potato salad, fruit salads in bowls on top of the ice. This will keep them nice and cold.
Prep & Cooking Tricks
From preparation to cooking, there are so many small things you can change up to make things a little simpler and possibly tastier! Okay, now I’m just hungry.
Soak Wood Skewers in Water
Did you know that you are supposed to soak wood skewers in water for around 10-15 minutes before you put food on them and toss on the grill? This will prevent them from burning when they are on the grill.
Know How Much Propane You Have
Use this method so that you don’t run out of propane before you are finished grilling. Take a glass of hot water and toss on the side of your propane tank. Then feel the side of the tank, and where you notice it is a bit cooler is where the gas is, so you know the level.
Keep Meat From Sticking to Your Hands
Have you ever tried to make hamburger patties and find that the meat is sticking to your hands more than forming a patty? You can use food prep gloves, however, there’s an easier alternative if you don’t have these on hand. Add a little cooking oil (vegetable, canola, olive) to your hands, and then start to form the patties! It works great!
Keep Hamburgers from Shrinking
Ever cook hamburgers or attend a cookout and find the hamburgers are so small?! Well, to prevent that, when you make the patties, press your thumb in the center of the burger to create a little dent. It works like a charm every time!
Wood Planks for Flavor
Wood planks are great for cooking fish on the grill, but did you know you can use them to add flavor to other foods? They are a thin slab of wood, you can buy at most mass stores, and they protect food from the direct flame. The wood adds a lot of flavor into the food, which can take the flavor to a whole new level. Try placing some firmer cheese like brie or vegetables on it, to add a new flavor!
Although, make sure you soak these well. There should be suggested soaking times on the packaging. We burned our first set because we were trying to rush things along.
Room Temperature Meat
The best way to cook any meat is to let it set out for around 15 minutes before you toss it on the grill. This allows the meat get to room temperature, and lets it cook more evenly on the grill! This is great for chicken, beef, and pork.
Smoking with a Gas or Charcoal Grill
Add some smoke to a gas or charcoal grill. Make a pouch with aluminum foil, and then grab some wood chips. Soak the wood chips in water for around 15-20 minutes. Then drain the wood chips and place in the aluminum foil pouch. Seal it up and poke some small holes in the top. Then place by the flame in the grill, and it will let out some smoke, adding great flavor to your food. I love cherry, apple, and mulberry wood.
Foil Brick for Chicken
I saw this on the news one day a few years back. You take a regular brick and wrap it in aluminum foil. Then take your chicken and lay it down on the grate, and place the brick on top of the seasoned chicken. It is great for cooking irregular shaped chicken, where it is thicker in some spots than others. This will ensure the chicken is cooked evenly.
Cook Vegetables in Foil
Create a foil pouch and place vegetables in the packet, add a little butter or a teaspoon of vegetable oil. This is a great way to keep the veggies from burning and ensure that they don’t drop through the grate. Actually, there are so many foil pouch recipes out there, our family loves the shrimp pouches.
Let Meat Rest
After you cook your steaks, pork chops, chicken, and so on, let it rest. Put meat on a plate and let it rest for around 5-10 minutes, this will make the meat nice and juicy. Cover it with aluminum foil to help keep it warm.
Grill Fish on Lemons
This is a great way to prevent fish from sticking and add some flavor! Take some lemon slices and put under your fish, it will act as a barrier and add some good flavor to the meat.
Start a Fire With a Bag of Chips
If you are out of charcoal or lighter fluid, consider starting your fire with a bag of chips. I know that sounds totally strange, but it truly works! Doritos, Tortilla, Potato, any kind work. Just put the whole bag in and light it up!
Have fun!
Take your entertaining to the next level with these awesome bbq hacks! Of course, if you want more check out these cookout hacks too! Occasionally even the most seasoned grillers can get stumped with cookout issues, but by following these tips you will ensure you have a successful cookout.
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