Hosting the Best Summer Barbecue

What better way to spend a summer day than firing up the grill for a good old-fashioned barbecue? Gathering family and friends for a fun-filled day of food and festivities is a great way to make the most of your summer and back porch. But you’ll want to take the proper steps toward hosting a safe, memorable cookout everyone can enjoy. Here are some backyard barbecue ideas and advice for making your next grilling party a smashing success.

A close-up of a propane gas cylinder in front of a backyard grill.

Preparing Your Grill for Summer Barbecues

Before you send out any invitations, your grill needs to be prepared for the upcoming season to ensure it’s in tiptop shape. Whether you’ve been keeping your grill outdoors or in personal storage, follow these steps to be ready to cook your next steak to perfection.

Cleaning Your Grill

Now that the weather is warm, your grill must be thoroughly cleaned. Experts say you should deep clean your grill twice a year, so long as you keep it tidy after each use. Here are some essential tips to follow:

Turn off the gas. If you own a gas grill, be sure the gas is off before cleaning anything.
Scrub it down. After removing all grates and burners, use a grill brush to meticulously remove excess grease and food particles. You’ll also want to scrape any buildup off the grill’s interior.
Soak the grates. After your first pass at scrubbing them clean, soak the grates in warm, soapy water for a few hours before giving it another go. Dry everything completely before putting it back on the grill.
Clear any debris. Thoroughly check under the burners and beneath the grill to clear any water, leaves, or other debris that may have gathered during the offseason.

Inspect the Mechanisms

To ensure that everything works properly, examine all components of your grill to prevent unexpected issues.

Look over the hoses. If you have a gas grill, check over the hoses and connections for damage, replacing any parts with cracks or wear to avoid potential gas leaks.
Check the ignition. Ensure your grill starts up as it should. If issues arise, replace batteries or ignition components.
Study the grates. Replace any grates or bars that have been especially rusted or damaged. To help prevent rust, spread cooking oil over the grates and heat on high for around 15 minutes to create a non-stick coating.
Test it out. Light up the grill before using it to make sure it functions correctly.

A family enjoying dinner while a father grills in their backyard at night, surrounded by lights and decorations. — Multi generation black family enjoying a barbecue dinner

Getting Your Backyard Ready for Barbecue

Now that your grill is ready, be sure the rest of your yard is, too! If you haven’t used your outdoor space yet this season, there are a few things you’ll want to do to ensure it’s in good condition.

Ready your furniture. Remove any outdoor furniture covers to inspect for weather-related wear and tear. Your guests will need somewhere comfortable to sit, so get some quality lawn chairs and order replacement cushions for outdoor furniture if needed.
Tend to the yard. While you don’t need to construct a world-class garden or koi pond in your backyard to have a lovely evening, you should mow your lawn, trim foliage, remove weeds, and water your plants.
Block out bugs. Nothing ruins a party faster than a swarm of mosquitoes. Many affordable solutions exist for pest prevention, from citronella candles to mosquito traps. Wear insect repellent to help ward off bites, but spray away from your food.
Add some entertainment. To enhance the fun, get out some cornhole or ring toss, make a greatest hits playlist to blast over your speakers, and hang some lights for added ambiance. You can even have a theme for the evening, whether you want your guests to drink from tiki mugs at an island-themed party or bust out some boots for a country-themed night.

A table of food for a summer barbecue, including hot dogs, burgers, chips, condiments, and toppings. — Summer BBQ food table scene with hot dog and hamburger buffet. Top view over a dark wood background.

Best Barbecue Recipes

While you may associate grills exclusively with burgers and hot dogs, these tools can be used to cook a wide variety of delicious eats. See below for some of our favorite recipes to add to your backyard barbecue menu:

Main Courses

Hamburgers. There’s nothing like flipping the perfect patty. These flavorful burgers will have all your guests coming back to the grill for more.
Grilled pork ribs. This easy rib recipe walks you through how to make simple but delicious pork for your barbecue.
Barbecue chicken kebabs. For some meat on the lighter side, these tropical-style kebabs can be a refreshing addition to your plate.
Spicy grilled shrimp. These spicy shrimp are easy to make and are a perfect appetizer for your evening.
Grilled vegetables. Don’t exclude vegetarians from the fun!

Sides

Grilled corn on the cob. Be sure to make this easy and delicious barbecue essential.
Baked mac and cheese. Your guests may be tempted to make this delectable mac and cheese their main course for the evening.
Pasta salad. It’s a classic, easy concoction that can pair perfectly with your favorite barbecue courses!
Cornbread. This crowd-pleasing side is sure to disappear by the end of the night.
Baked potatoes on the grill. Make the ultimate loaded baked potatoes on the grill.

A father teaching his young son to use a grill in the backyard. — Father teaching his little son how to grill while standing in backyard at summer. Family gathering concept.

Storing and Organizing Outdoor Equipment

When grilling season ends, you’ll need to secure a solution for outdoor grill storage that can preserve your furniture, outdoor games, and equipment for the coming year.

Cover everything. Use furniture covers and place cushions indoors. You should also invest in a quality grill cover, which comes in a variety of types and sizes, whether you need a Blackstone grill cover or a Weber grill cover.
Clean your grill. If your first deep clean of the year was at the start of summer, your second should be when the weather gets cold.
Consider seasonal storage. A climate-controlled storage unit is a convenient place to store outdoor equipment during the offseason, keeping your basement clutter-free. Renting a unit is an excellent way to help your things stay in good condition year-round while also saving you some space.

Get Ready for Barbecue Season With Advantage Storage

You shouldn’t leave all your outdoor belongings in the snow and cold. For an affordable, secure solution that won’t confine you to a long-term lease, Advantage Storage can give you the seasonal storage space you need. Lock up snowy weather gear and decorations during the summer and secure your grill and furniture during the winter. Our storage units come in a range of sizes and boast a variety of amenities that help you have an unparalleled storage experience.
To find your ideal storage unit, feel free to contact us today and find Advantage Storage at a location near you!