How to throw the best backyard BBQ

How to throw the best backyard BBQ

Summertime in the Northern Hemisphere is just about here. Near the equator, certain areas see great weather all year round. Because of that, the time is always right for a backyard BBQ. Barbecues are a great way to gather with friends, cook great food and entertain yourselves for hours. Here’s how to make your home the go-to home for barbecues this summer.

Have an amazing area to play

If you don’t already, make your garden a great place to entertain friends. If your garden is currently a wide open space, hire patio builders to create a space for you. Depending on the layout of your property and your home, you could build a deck, lay pavers and have a seating area with an outdoor fireplace, bar and you could build an overhang or palapa with a ceiling fan and outdoor TV.

If your budget allows for it, install a swimming pool as well. Nothing rounds out a backyard space like a pool where people can soak, swim and play water games while you mix drinks in the blender at the bar and make delicious food on the grill. It will be like everyone’s on holiday!

Cook delicious recipes

Summer recipes are some of the best recipes you can cook and find. A lot of them are simple to make and people will eat them fast. Summer recipes are light, tasty and can be made in large quantities in order to feed a lot of people. There’s more to put on the menu than just hamburgers and hot dogs.

Summer salads like pasta salads, potato salads and fruit salads are cheap to make and you can make them in bulk. Kebabs and sewers are great to make with shrimp, beef or chicken. Cut up some vegetables and add them to the skewer and you’ll have a hit on your hands. Download a delicious marinade recipe for the meat and your guests will rave at your cooking.

Break out the garden games

In the digital age, it’s good to get everyone off of their phones and interacting with each other in real life and in real time. The best way to do this is to have a set of games for everyone to play and enjoy. Playing games outside gets kids to interact with adults and everyone gets exercise. Aside from swim races in the pool, there are a bunch of activities you can offer.

Water volleyball is a great game that kids can play in the pool as well as bean bag toss into floating targets. On the grass you could set up volleyball, badminton, ping pong, Kan Jam and any variety of racing games for everyone to enjoy. If you have the space, you could host your own backyard Olympics.

Conclusion

With a few adjustments, some space and some clever ideas on what to cook and what to play, you’ve all the ingredients necessary for the perfect backyard BBQ location this summer. Get everyone to chip in and keep the place stocked.

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Pellet grill vs gas grill: which is right for you?

Pellet grill vs gas grill: which is right for you?

Did you know that more than 79 million people in the USA have grilled within the past year? There are many options out there that claim to be the best grill for cooking your favourite meats and vegetables, but two of the best options are the pellet grill vs gas grill.

There are many benefits that these two grills provide which make it difficult to pick the best pellet grill or the right gas grill for your needs. The good news is that you’re in the perfect place to learn more about these two types of grills so that you can make an informed purchase based on your needs.

Fire using pelletscredit

Pellet grill pros

Pellet grills use wood pellets to create the heat needed for cooking your favourite al fresco meals. These pellets get added to a hopper on the grill and get fed into the combustion chamber where they’re burned to produce the heat for cooking.

Buying a pellet grill is a great investment because they’re quite convenient compared to other types of grills on the market. All you have to do to operate one is add pellets to the hopper and set the temperature. They’re also one of the most efficient options when it comes to getting a grill for your home.

If you’re worried about the maintenance needed with using a pellet grill then you needn’t fret. They require very little maintenance since you don’t create much of a mess when grilling with one. You’ll need to maintain the grates and keep them clean from grease and charred meat but the grill itself is easy to take care of.

You’ll also get a much better flavour when it comes to grilling your favourite meats and vegetables. That is what makes choosing between Pit Boss vs Z Grill such a difficult decision.

Barbecue grill powered by a gas bottle

Gas grill pros

Gas grills are also a great option if you’re ready to purchase a grill for entertaining friends and family. You’ll have a much easier time grilling at higher temperatures when you’re the proud owner of a gas grill. They’re also quite inexpensive to run and power since they use propane as their fuel source.

There are also plenty of inexpensive grill options when you decide on getting a gas grill, which means that gas grills work with any budget. You also won’t find many options that are easier to learn and use than a gas grill. All you’ll need to do is make sure that the gas is ready to go and set your temperature.

If you’re someone that grills a lot and you want your grill at the desired temperature in a short amount of time then you’ll love a gas grill. They’re clean and they heat up in around 10 minutes. The only real drawback with gas grills is that they don’t produce as much flavour.

Start shopping for a pellet grill vs gas grill today

There’s never a bad time to start shopping for a pellet grill vs gas grill for catering for your friends and family at your home. Pellet grills produce more flavour and are easy to use but cost more money. Gas grills are easier to use and take almost no time at all to get heated up.

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Love Logs is smoking hot!

Win a smoking fuel kit from Love Logs

It’s June, and that means longer, warmer, sunnier (we hope!) days. It’s also a time that we turn our thoughts to spending more time outdoors – gardening, relaxing and eating al fresco.

This month’s giveaway will definitely get you in the mood for summer; we have a smoking BBQ fuel kit complements of Love Logs (worth £47.95) for one lucky reader. The bundle comprises:

  • 12kg sustainable British lumpwood charcoal
  • Approx. 24 smoking chunks – your choice of two species (apple, cherry, oak)
  • 16 natural fire-lighters

This quantity is enough for up to 8 cooks on a kettle barbecue – that should be all of your summer barbecues taken care of!

Love Logs fire-lighters Smoking chunks Lumpwood charcoal

Love Logs is our kind of indie brand. Heather & Paul launched their company only last summer, in the hope of making a difference in the firewood industry. Like us, they’re concerned about the proliferation of single use plastic in the trade. Also of concern, is the 1,500+ ‘wood miles’ much of the UK’s firewood travels to get here from Eastern Europe… that was news to us!

To be in with a shout at winning this outdoor cooking kit, just comment below telling us what is your favourite barbecue food.
A smoking BBQ fuel kit from Love Logs

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Price Points: Travel condiment sets

Travel condiment sets

Often, when we drive somewhere for a day out, we stop for a drink or bite to eat. Instead of stashing a hodgepodge of sachets of sugar, sauces, salt, pepper etc in the jumbled glove box, these travel condiment sets is a much smarter option.

When we go to the seaside, we often have takeaway fish & chips. A bit of extra salt & vinegar as you work your way through to the lower layers is often desirable. And when we visit a new town with a nice looking bakery or butchers, Justin always likes to try out the local sausage rolls and pork pies. I often sample their cheese & onion versions. A bit of tangy chutney adds an extra twist.

Also, we’ve started travelling with a rucksack containing vacuum flask of boiling water, two travel mugs and a couple of Kenko flat white sachets. They’re perfect for a quick brew en route. Justin has sugar in his coffee, and has taken to putting two spoonfuls into his mug before putting the lid on it. One day, the lid is going to pop off and scatter sugar all round the inside of the rucksack.

When I think about what condiments and additions we generally need on a trip away, the 7-piece set would be the best fit. We’d need somewhere for all the aforementioned sugar, salt & vinegar, ketchup, chilli sauces, chutney and the like.

  1. Camping/picnic organiser: £8.18, eBay
  2. 7-piece condiment set: £14.60, eBay
  3. Travel condiment set: £24.99, Amazon

shop travel condiment sets

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Prices & links correct at time of publication.

Travel condiment set
Travel condiment set
£24.99
7-piece condiment set
7-piece condiment set
£14.60
Camping/picnic organiser
Camping/picnic organiser
£8.18
Travel condiment set
Travel condiment set
£24.99
7-piece condiment set
7-piece condiment set
£14.60
Camping/picnic organiser
Camping/picnic organiser
£8.18
Travel condiment set
Travel condiment set
£24.99
7-piece condiment set
7-piece condiment set
£14.60
Camping/picnic organiser
Camping/picnic organiser
£8.18
Travel condiment set
Travel condiment set
£24.99
7-piece condiment set
7-piece condiment set
£14.60
Camping/picnic organiser
Camping/picnic organiser
£8.18
Travel condiment set
Travel condiment set
£24.99
7-piece condiment set
7-piece condiment set
£14.60
Camping/picnic organiser
Camping/picnic organiser
£8.18