Planning an End of Summer BBQ

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With the summer winding down and kids heading back to school soon, many families are planning their end of summer BBQ. Though some might wait until Labor Day, any weekend is a great time for a summer BBQ bash with family and friends.

If you don’t have much grilling experience, here are some tips for using a charcoal grill like a professional.

Lighting Up the Grill:

• Crumple up newspaper and place it on the grate.
• Cover the newspaper with your charcoal briquets.
• Form them into a pyramid shape.
• Add lighter fluid, if necessary. (Some briquets don’t need lighter fluid, so be sure to check the bag.)
• Light the charcoal. The briquets will be ready in about 20-25 minutes - they will turn ash gray.
• Spread out the briquets after they are hot.

Cooking on the Grill:

Ideally, you should only have to turn meat once while grilling.

Use the following grilling guidelines for total cooking time for 1″ thick steaks and 1/2″ thick hamburgers. These estimates are for Medium. Cook slightly less for Medium Rare and more for Medium Well and Well Done.

• Ribeye - 12-14 minutes
• T-Bone/Porterhouse - 14-16 minutes
• Top Sirloin - 18-20 minutes
• Hamburgers - 10-12 minutes

Menu for an End of Summer BBQ:

Sample BBQ Menu #1

• Grilled Steaks
• Potato Salad
• Baked Beans
• Watermelon
• Peach Bellinis
• Iced Tea

Sample BBQ Menu #2

• Grilled Beef and Chicken Fajitas
• Flour Tortillas
• Grilled Tomatoes, Onions and Peppers
• All the fixings - sour cream, guacamole, etc.
• Fruit Salad
• Margaritas
• Lemonade

Get more barbeque recipes and party planning tips.

Don’t forget the condiments, paper cups, paper plates, nakpkins and plastic utensils. Make sure to get strong paper plates, such as Chinet brand, that won’t soak through.

Games to Play at an End of Summer BBQ:

If you have a large backyard or planning your barbeque party at a park, consider putting together a game of softball.

If you don’t have enough people for softball, tossing a Frisbee, throwing a football or hoolahooping are fun for children and adults alike.

More Information BBQing:

• Barbeque and Grilling - Resources for recipes, a guide to grilling and much more.
• Cookout Meal Planner - Get complete menu guides and BBQ planning tips
• Grills Direct - Purchase a charcoal or gas grill from GrillsDirect.com.
• Outdoor Party Planning - Tips and ideas for planning an outdoor party.

Tags: Recreation //