Who said that you have to put your grill away once temperatures fall? With COVID-19 still hanging around like an unwanted houseguest, you could do far worse than keeping the “pull the barbie round the front” tradition alive.
Why not make it a smaller, socially distanced neighborhood event so that you can safely have a blast? Here are ten tips for hosting a fall/winter barbecue.
1. Get to Prepping
Before any memorable meal comes tons of prep work. You need to plan your menu, keeping in mind any dietary restrictions your participants have.
If you expect guests living a gluten-free or vegan lifestyle, look for dishes that pull double duty. You can’t go wrong with cauliflower steaks — just ensure that your breading doesn’t contain wheat proteins.
2. Marinate to Perfection
Another must for hosting the ideal fall barbecue is to kick up the flavor with the right marinade. Why not spice up the typical bland chicken with a hot pepper marinade to get you and your guests sweating despite plunging temps?
Does your tongue reject too much of the hot stuff? Pineapple juice makes an excellent marinade for more fibrous cuts like pork because it helps break down the muscle fiber.
3. Choose the Right Briquettes
Grillmasters know that the right briquettes can make or break a barbecue. They impart a smoky flavor that gas grilling can’t match. Those who use a propane tank can use a smoker attachment to get the desired taste.
Look for varieties made from the toughest hardwoods on the planet and carbonized to remove impurities. Quality briquettes prevent flare-ups and excessive ash while giving the smoky test you desire.
4. Select Sizzling Sides
No barbecue is complete without sides. Go beyond boring chips and potato salad — try a watermelon-feta or zesty corn version.
Side dishes offer yet another way to please multiple palates with various restrictions. Aim to include gluten-free, low-carb and vegetarian deliciousness.
5. Attain the Ideal Core Temperature
If you toss your meat on the grill before you preheat, you risk a raw center and crispy exterior. A wise general rule is to take at least 10 – 15 minutes, or as long as 30 for slow-cooked meals like an entire roasted chicken.
Use a thermometer to test doneness. Cutting into cauliflower won’t damage it, but doing so to a T-bone lets the juices run out and makes it dry.
Likewise, when you remove your meat from the grill, immediately slicing into it results in a drier cut. You need to allow the juices to settle — plan on another 10 to 15 minutes before serving.
6. Provide Socially-Distant Shelter
It’s been nearly a year since the World Health Organization (WHO) announced a new coronavirus-related pneumonia in Wuhan, China. That’s a long time to go without seeing the grandkids, and those who feel safe doing so are hosting small, intimate gatherings of close family and friends.
However, pandemic fatigue doesn’t mean tossing common-sense safety to the wind. Most experts agree that outdoor gatherings are less risky than indoor ones, but your guests need somewhere to get out of the rain and wind without getting too close.
Now’s the time to clean out your garage to provide ample space for tables and chairs that aren’t stacked on top of one another. Another alternative is to rent or invest in canopies. While the latter can get pricey, if you spend your weekends peddling wares at craft fairs, it can pull double-duty.
7. Keep Everything Covered
You don’t have to worry about bugs as much in the winter — but those little pests still appear. Cover your food to keep insects at bay. Doing so also helps preserve the heat in warm dishes, like a hot German potato salad.
Likewise, guests will eventually need the bathroom. Prevent nasty shoe germs from spreading to your tile and carpet by laying down runners. Another alternative is to invest in booties — dollar store shower caps will do — although this option creates more waste.
8. Include Some Post-Meal Games
When hosting a fall barbecue, you don’t want folks to eat and run. To invite folks to stay a spell, have plenty of post-meal games ready.
If your crowd consists of adults, why not set up an ax-throwing contest like those seen in America and Canada’s trendiest pubs? Of course, if you have little ones in attendance, you can’t go wrong with “Cornhole.”
9. Make Cleanup a Snap
Who wants to spend forever washing dishes? You could go with disposables, but they are unforgiving to the planet. Mother Earth still needs protecting, pandemic, or no.
To make life less burdensome on the unlucky person who drew the cleanup straw, set up a soaking tub for guests to leave their dirty plates. You’ll have fewer folks tramping through your home, plus the nasty particles will melt away and require less scrubbing.
10. Don’t Forget Dessert
What’s the perfect fall barbecue without dessert? Tempt your guests with the fruits of the season.
Serve up some homemade pumpkin pudding for those folks who like all things spice. Those with low-carb or gluten restrictions will adore a GF version of apple crisp.
Hosting a Fall Barbecue, Safely
Hosting the perfect fall barbecue doesn’t need to take a Herculean effort. Use these ten tips to get social and enjoy some grilling fun.
Oscar Collins is the managing editor at Modded. He writes about cars, fitness, the outdoors and more. Follow @TModded on Twitter for more articles from the Modded team.
