13 Must-Have Things You Need for a Cookout This Summer
All over America, families near and far get together to enjoy great company, laughter, talk, and, best of all, tasty food. There’s nothing like a good old family cookout, and today, we’re focusing this article on all the essential things you need for a cookout with your family and friends.
It doesn’t matter the time of the year for a great cookout. Most families prefer it in summer and take advantage of those warm sunny days, lemonade, and fresh side dishes. Despite the summer cookout buzz, you can still enjoy a cookout in colder weather, provided you have additions for indoor bbq and entertainment. No matter when you have yours, make sure you can check all the items on this list to be certain that you have everything covered before the day.
What Makes Cookouts Beneficial?
Enjoy the outdoors
Most cookouts are done outside, and thus, the opportunity to connect with nature and take in the fresh air and sun is a plus, even for your mental well-being.
Laugh with family and friends
There are so many stories to catch up on; there are laughs and great upbeat feelings when everyone gets together to enjoy preparing the cookout meals and desserts. Laughing is good for you, and a family cookout can do just that.
Connect with family and friends you haven’t seen in a long time
Having a cookout will give you the liberty of connecting with friends or family you may not have seen in a very long time. It’s a beautiful way to reconnect and enjoy great company.
It’s affordable
Did you know cookouts can be affordable? Even when you count in all the things you need for a cookout and add them up. It is especially affordable when more people bring something to the party. The host doesn’t have to cover all the eating and drinking expenses.
It’s an excellent way to unwind
Who doesn’t need some time off to relax and unwind? A cookout with friends and close family can give you the opportunity you need to do just that. Unwind, laugh, eat, and be merry.
1. Get The Meats For The Grill
Any good cookout needs meat. Yes, sir/ma’am, 100% pure meat. Cookouts are also known to have a variety of meat, with some folks preferring juicy steak cuts, sliders to munch while you mingle and chat with the others, pork chops, ribs, and more. Make sure that you get the bbq food items ready and prepared before the cookout day. You can marinate your meats the night before, some people go all out to create the perfectly marinated meat, and it can take more than an overnight timeframe.
Do your shopping ahead of time, as few things can be worse than having to scramble to grab last-minute ingredients to get your bbq food items going. Make the things you need for a cookout shopping list drafted and get to work.
2. Have the Tools for the Job
Having everything you need, like the tools and equipment, will make for an undoubtedly successful cookout you can be proud of. What are the things you need for a cookout where tools are concerned? Your smoker and grill are probably the main features of your cookout because, without them, you’re just going to have regular meat with no smokey flavors and no flame grill taste.
Other tools you may need include your grill brush to clean as you go and before starting. Meat forks and knives are also a must. Grab some grill gloves to protect your hands from the heat of the fire. You can also stock up on metal skewers to reuse them during the day; as a bonus, it’ll save you money.
3. Is your Lawn Looking Great Without the Stench?
One of the things you need for a cookout success is everything besides pestering flies trying to ruin a party. If you’re planning a cookout at your place, try to get the lawn fertilizer and gardening things sorted a few days or a week and a half before the day of the cookout. Fertilizer tends to attract flies, and if you pair that with cooking meat on the grill, you’ll have a recipe for a swarm. You can have a beautiful lawn and still host a fly-free cookout.
As part of the maintenance of your garden is gearing up for the cookout get-together, also try and make sure that the mulch delivery is done on time, so you don’t have to worry about this during the day of the cookout. Mulch has many benefits for your garden, including insulation for roots, weed control (depending on the type of mulch), and helping your garden to look fabulous so that all your friends and family will admire it.
Speaking of looking after your garden’s needs, before the cookout date, try getting certified arborists to help clean up tree branches and check if everything is good with the trees that live in your garden. Plus, with beautiful, healthy trees, your family may enjoy the natural shade and cool temperature they emit on a warm cookout day.
4. Spruce Up the Outdoors
Seeing as you’re hosting this cookout, you want your guests to feel at home, and you surely want your home to look amazing for entertainment. A general contractor can assist you with some stuff, like minor but lasting changes for your outdoor and indoor spaces. You may want to add some extra lights outside to ensure that it is sufficient to see later in the evening. Your cookout might be an early evening one, which will probably run out of daylight, so, extra lighting is a good call.
Add some decking, as this will give your patio an awe-inspiring design that others may want to copy. Your deck can feature summer lounges, seats, and tables, so the guests can sit down when they want to or gather around and enjoy each other’s company.
Fix the driveway with asphalt or driveway specialists. Your guests should have space to park, and by fixing your driveway, you reduce the additional stress of punctures, an uncomfortable driving down the driveway, and just being downright lost in where they will park.
Another general contractor, like an interior designer, will pretty much work closely with you to acquire your taste and style preference. After having a consultation with you and you’re happy, they then work accordingly to make the perfect interiors. Your visitors and cookout guests will be surprised and will admire your interiors just as much as the exterior of your home.
5. Invest in a Meat Thermometer
Meat thermometers can sometimes be expensive, but investing in one will do you good and ensure that your meat comes out perfectly cooked each time. The meat thermometer, along with BBQ tools, are just some of the important things you need for a cookout.
6. Control the Pests
As mentioned, pests are not welcome to a cookout, no matter what. Hiring a pest control service to eliminate all the pests during the weeks or days leading up to the cookout is a good idea. No matter if you’re having issues with garden snails, flies, mosquitos, or cockroaches, the professionals can handle it and have the ideal equipment and pesticide to do so. You may want to check with the pest exterminators how long after the job has been concluded you will be able to tackle a cookout outdoors and have your family there to eat.
7. Get your Pool Cookout Ready
On a hot summer’s day, who doesn’t want to take a dip in a sparkly and inviting pool? One of the things you need for a cookout is a pool. Even a splash pool would be great. Get experts from a local pool cleaning company to assist with the pool on the day or during the week. Follow their instructions if they’ve left you any regarding maintenance of the pool between the time of the next pool service.
Your pool must also be covered for safety, and if you have a pool fence, make sure there isn’t a pool opening that a kid could get past without adult supervision. You can also add a pool cover if you don’t already have one for yours. A swimming pool company can also help you install a pool above the ground or in the ground, depending on the space and setup of your grounds and what you’d like. However, the pool feature should be arranged ahead of time to ensure that everything is ready for use on the day.
8. Have Enough Catering Supplies
If you don’t want to spend time doing dishes or anything, you can get some paper plates and biodegradable cutlery for the day. Don’t forget to ensure that you have enough cups for drinks. You can acquire some catering items at a local store, and you can also opt to choose your own, depending on how many people are present. Also, have napkins and wet wipes for your guests to use.
9. Stock up One the Drinks
You have to cater to all tastes at the cookout and thus a combination of alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and squash, are all the drinks to purchase ahead of time. Some people also set out some drinks using something of a caddie or catering trolly for a minibar. With trolley mini bars on wheels, your guests can help themselves to drinks based on those available on the bar trolley, plus the trolley can be moved from one point to another.
10. Stone Assistance
When having a cookout, it’s all about awesome food and flavors, but did you know that you can use stone in many ways even to help you cook? There are stone lava rocks to assist in maintaining the heat of the coals. You may also have a stone pizza oven that can tackle a few different pizzas to feed the younger kids and double up as snacks as the older folks wait for the main meal.
Griddle stones are very popular when making food on the flames. The grill can help cook multiple foods at the same time. Simultaneous cooking using a stone griddle, the grill, and the smoker will save you time as you swiftly get through the foods and desserts.
11. Repurpose Your Items
Repurposing is an ideal way to reuse items without destroying or disposing of them and increasing landfills. Try repurposing the local golf carts. Let’s say your cookout is on a massive property then using the golf carts to cart finger snacks to the guests will also be a good way to move things along swiftly. You can also use the cart for an accessory in the garden, making it a nice property character.
12. Don’t Forget to Cater For Vegans and Vegetarians
The majority at the cookout might be there for the delicious meat, but guests might not eat any meat. It’s a good idea to have some dishes like a starter, main and dessert that is made for your vegan and vegetarian friends.
There are many options for meatless cookout foods, including corn on the cob, black bean and soy patties, tofu kebabs (skewers), portobello mushrooms, and zucchinis. You can use the smokiness of the fire to add that authentic BBQ flavors to the vegetables. Some people also use balsamic vinegar or soy to marinate the vegetables before setting them on the grill.
You can use jackfruit shredded to mimic meat, and as a bonus, jackfruit is also big on protein. Thick cauliflower florets, potato spuds, veggie kebabs, and eggplant are excellent options to do on the fire and eat as is or add to a salad.
Put your best foot forward, and while the cookout is at your place, you want to check with everyone whether they eat meat, are vegan, or are vegetarian. The things you need for a cookout include the physical foods, drinks, tools, and the wonderful people who will join you on this memorable occasion.