Summer Professional Grilling Tips
Summer is the best season to perfect your professional grill techniques. The long days insure that plenty of time is available for evening cookouts. The chances for truly bad weather are generally less and easier to predict. What are some things you can do to make your summer barbecue party a success?
First, it is important, as always, to follow fire safety rules. Often brush and even grass around the house can be dry and prone to sparking a fire. Make sure that you have any flammable brush cleared away from where you’re going to be cooking. Also be careful around wood, such as on a deck, that might be dried out from hot days. I’ve seen them begin to smolder when they were to close to a hot grill.
As you cook, keep yourself hydrated. Having to take a trip to the hospital isn’t a good way to end your party early! Keep plenty of cool water on hand and drink often. You’ll be working in hot conditions so you’ll need fluids. Avoid alcoholic beverages until you’re ready to kick back and relax.
Bugs can be an unpleasant part of summertime outdoor activity. Bug zappers work but are rather unappealing. You may want to try scented candles that keep biting insect pests away from your grilling station and your guests’ tables. Make sure you cover food quickly to avoid attracting flies. Nobody wants to see that on their food.
It’s always a good idea to have an appetizer for your guests to enjoy. I recommend a hearty, freshly made, garden salsa served with tortilla chips or a fruit salad.
Try to serve your meat as quickly to your guests as you can. Any delay can reduce the flavor and enjoyment of the meal. Make the meat the last thing to be ready. Nobody wants to wait around for you to finish the potato salad while the meat is getting cold.
I hope these ideas help make your summer barbecue party a success and enhance your reputation as a professional griller.