15 Ways You Can Elevate Your BBQ Experience This Summer

As the Summer nears, you might be thinking of bringing friends or family over for a BBQ on a sunny day. In this blog, we’ll explore 15 ways you can improve your BBQ experience this summer.

Let’s dive in!

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1. New Patio Area

Whether you have an existing patio area or do not have one yet for BBQing this summer, you may want to have a fresh patio installed!

Some of the most popular options include patios made with granite, limestone, porcelain sandstone and concrete.

Design-wise, there are endless possibilities, though if you want to setup a BBQ on it, it’s best to ensure the designed is well-suited and safe. For instance, a flat patio without steps can help limit health and safety hazards if the BBQ fell over.

For a safe patio, you must also consider non-flammable materials and thankfully those mentioned above are fire-resistant. While natural stone is generally non-combustible, always verify with a professional whether a given patio material and design is safe and appropriate for BBQing on.

All in all, though, safe patio options are a much better alternative to wooden decking which can pose a safety risk for BBQing on due to its flammability. If this is you, be sure you to take all necessary safety steps including having a fire extinguisher at hand. Indeed, it’s worth having one anyway when working with a BBQ just to be safe!

2. High-Quality Grill

Opting for a new, high-end grill cannot only enhance your BBQ experience this summer but reduce safety risks since an old grill may pose hazards in various ways from being worn down and overused.

3. Ensure Everyone Can Stay Cool

Another safety concern (as well as a comfort one) is ensuring that you and all guests can stay cool in the hot weather.

Hydration is one of the most important aspects of keeping cool. On a hot day, it’s advised to drink (over the course of the day) about 2 to 3 litres of water. However, do not drink more than one litre per hour as it is rare but possible to drink too much water by overcompensating and thus overhydrating. If you are finding it hard to stay cool or/and hydrated, take the party indoors to cool down, at least until temps drop in the evening time.

Of course, to achieve healthy hydration levels and to avoid overheating, it’s important either way to avoid staying in the hot sun for too long.

So, as touched on above and at the start of this blog, we advise not to hold a garden party/BBQ if temperatures reach the late 20s Celsius or higher, whether or not it was forecast. This might mean not holding the BBQ on certain days to start with or, again, moving the party indoors if it’s getting too hot or guests are finding it hard to cool down and stay hydrated safely.

When it’s not too hot out but you want to increase comfort, along with hydration, here are other ways to stay cool at a garden BBQ party:

• Wear sufficient sunscreen and top-up per the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Guests should wear hats (e.g. caps or sun hats).
• Keep alcohol consumption limited since it can cause dehydration and increase the risk of a heat stroke.
• Install water features ahead of time as these can (to a small degree) cool the surrounding air. Therefore, water features may make for a cooler BBQ party… not to mention they’ll potentially keep it mild!
• Consider using sun umbrellas (parasols) whether over a table or elsewhere to keep guests cool. Just be sure they are installed properly and securely and avoid having them set up too close to the BBQ.

4. Pizza Oven

While many pizza ovens are a little on the expensive side, it’s worth considering whether or not one might be right for you.

This could mean an independent pizza oven or one designed to be used with a BBQ. Of course, if you’re after the latter, make absolutely sure the pizza oven you opt for is meant to be added to the BBQ you have. Consult with a professional if in doubt.

Beyond that, if having an independent pizza oven installed, ensure it is safe and secure. Install per the manufacturer’s instructions and watch out for any safety hazards (e.g. nearby flammable material such as wood from a wooden shed).

5. Create a BBQ Pit

A more unique approach is to dig and create a BBQ pit in your back garden. Of course, this won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, and it’s essential to proceed with caution and ensure the BBQ pit is safe (including as a drop that when unused, someone might fall into and twist their ankle).

If in doubt, hire a professional to determine whether a BBQ pit is suitable for your garden and to add it if it’s safe.

6. Condiment Bar

A condiment station or condiment bar is a tray used to store condiments (add-ons) like sauces, seasonings, spreads and more. If you want to use one, just be sure not to leave these add-ons in the open air for too long.

In fact, you should put them out and clean out the bar within two hours to prevent bacteria gathering. Therefore, timing the use of a condiment bar is important.

7. Homemade Lemonade or Iced Tea

While it’s handy to pick up a range of drinks from Tesco, Morrisons, etc., it’s worth looking at the option of making lemonade or/and iced tea from home. Homemade drinks can provide a unique flavour and a more authentic, elevated experience for you and your guests!

Just be sure to take your time making the drinks in terms of getting the taste right and in a safe way, per instructions from a reliable source.

8. Outdoor Speaker

An outdoor speaker can add a more vibrant, party vibe to your BBQ experience. You’ll find a ton of Bluetooth-enabled wireless outdoor speakers on the market today. These include those from brands like JBL, Tribit and Sonos.

Some things to keep in mind is opting for music that can keep everyone happy or at least limit the chance of anyone being left annoyed and fed up with the tunes playing, especially if your guests have a mixed, polarised taste in music.

If you have a large outdoor speaker, be sure not to place it on any wet grass if it had been raining recently.

Also, if the garden party continues into the evening, just be careful not to have the music on too loud too late to avoid causing any conflict with your neighbours. Otherwise, relax, enjoy the tunes and take it easy!

9. Fit a Misting System

Installing a misting system in a suitable part of your garden (e.g. not too close to the BBQ for safety reasons but not on the opposite side if feasible – though if needed on the other side of the garden that’s fine).

A misting system has the potential to keep you and your guests cool while also limiting dust and providing an enhanced aesthetic appeal.

10. Games On the Lawn

If you have enough space, it’s a good idea to set up games on the lawn. Kids, in particular. Either way, some games that could be played on the lawn include giant snakes and ladders (with a large sheet to actually stand on), giant Jenga, giant connect four, Twister and mini golf.

For more fun things to do in June, check out our ideas guide here.

11. Awning/Pergola for a Separate Covered Area

As touched on earlier, you may want to create some form of cover for you and your guests to relax. A more advanced option to consider, while a little on the expensive side, is an awning or pergola to keep people covered from the sun while offering a more sophisticated outdoors space that can work well in combining an indoors and outdoors feeling.

12. Outdoor Lighting

If you plan to hold a garden BBQ party in the early evening, you should consider using outdoor lights to decorate and enhance the space. Whatever the case, just ensure you find the right outdoor lighting for your garden and needs.

Here are some good ideas to consider:

• Solar powered strip lighting
• Wall-mounted lights
• Decorative solar-powered lights (e.g. solar-stake lights, solar garden globes etc.)
• Outdoor spotlight*
• Bollard lights

*This type of outdoor lighting will work best for when it gets particularly dark and may only make sense to use temporarily depending on how it is angled. Basically, you want to balance lighting up the space at night and not producing blinding lights that become annoying or even harmful to eyesight.

13. Bring Out a Dart Board

Returning (presumably) to daytime ideas, you should consider taking a dart board out to create a space for fun and entertainment. Of course, in order to make this work, you’ll probably need a stand and surround.

Even with this, make sure the dart board is set up in a suitable spot and people are made aware (especially kids) in case any darts flew past the board and beyond… which is definitely common for newcomers. So just be sure to make safety paramount and avoid taking the board out if it’s threatening to rain.

Once all is safe, playing darts could turn into great fun and you might find many children want to step up to the ‘oche’ as inspired by the likes of young prodigy Luke Littler and trailblazing star Fallon Sherrock.

To keep things simple (unless those playing have a good bit of experience), it’s best to play single leg matches from 101 down (and no double starts). If neither player can reach the double in three gos, go with nearest to the bull.

If you want to make it extra interesting, set up a tournament. To make one work, you’d ideally need four, eight or sixteen people for semi-finals, quarter-finals or last 16 rounds starting respectively.

Otherwise, maybe just have everyone play two random people, then the best four go to the semis. If the league has any ties, use a random number generator or even better, games of rock, paper, scissors.

14. Outdoor Photo Booth

Another super fun idea is to set up an outdoor photo booth. To achieve this, you’ll need to set up a suitable background whether it be floral, glittery, artsy, beach-themed or otherwise. An outdoor photo booth can act as a fantastic and exciting added touch.

15. Movie Night After BBQing

You should also think about opting for a movie night later on in the early evening. For an outdoor movie night, you’ll need the right setup including a projector (and preferably a high quality one) as well as sufficient seating.

Small outdoor lights suitably placed can also add to the atmosphere. Also, just ensure the weather is set to remain dry and not get too cold before taking out the projector.