Step Up Your Grill Game

Independence Day has come and gone.  Like most Americans, you undoubtedly went to at least one cook-out, if not several for the 4th of July.  And with the summer in full swing, it’s time to step back and consider how you can step things up so that you can be the envy of your friends and neighbors when it comes to grilling.  There are several things you can do, including hosting fun events, integrating games, upgrading your equipment, and spicing up some recipes.

Start with the Food

Barbeques are an American tradition that has stuck around in the face of technology for two reasons: delicious food and the simple pleasure of gathering with friends.  There’s beauty in simplicity here, but you can be left behind if you keep it too simple.  Anyone can throw some ground beef and hot dogs on a grill.  For a creative barbeque, you need only throw in some variety.

Don’t go too crazy, or you’ll alienate everyone.  Start by making some fun side dishes.  Grill potatoes or make your own French fries.  Try making your own marinade or experiment with seasoning to make your burgers or steaks stand out from everyone else.  Have fun with it, but remember to keep the food simple.

Gear

When was the last time you bought new lawn furniture?  Is your grill big enough to accommodate the parties you’re throwing?  Do you have enough coolers for a decent cook-out?  If you haven’t updated your grilling equipment in a while, now may be the time.  If everything is working fine, consider adding some decorative touches to revamp your grilling sessions.

Start with the furniture you have.  You can give everything a new look with some new seat covers, wood staining, or a fresh coat of paint.  Consider some Tiki torches for atmosphere and to keep the insects away.  Try to stick with a masculine motif when you select colors, custom grill covers, and the arrangement of your deck and yard.

Make it Fun

If all this seems overwhelming, remember – cook-outs are supposed to be one of the most laid back occasions you can participate in.  You can throw it together last minute, throw some meat (or veggie burgers) on the grill, lay back, and relax with a cold one and your friends.  The problem with this is that grilling can become boring or uniform real fast.

If you want to make your barbeque stand out from the rest, think of some ways to make it fun.  The easiest way to do this is to have some old fashioned games to accompany the meal.  Pick up a football, some horse shoes, or a deck of cards for some good natured entertainment.  If you want to make things a bit more modern, check out your local toy store or Amazon for new board games that could be fun.

And if you really want to step things up, pick out a theme for the night.  Chili cook-off’s, dinner and a movie, or ethnic food samplings go over well.  Encourage your friends to participate in brainstorming to figure out what goes best for your social scene.  If it gets too complicated, ditch it, and move on to something more fun!

About Author

Tony is an amature grill master who likes to share tips with reader about how to improve their barbecue experience.