How To Host The Ultimate Memorial Day BBQ

Memorial Day is fast approaching, and many of you will be thinking about commemorating the day with a cookout. If you’re looking for tips on how to organize the ultimate Memorial Day BBQ experience for your friends and family, then you're in the right place. Read on to find out our top ideas for a Memorial Day cookout that you and your guests won’t ever forget.

Plan Out Your Memorial Day BBQ Menu

How can we even begin talking about how to host an incredible Memorial Day BBQ for your friends and family without talking about the menu? Your Memorial Day BBQ menu should incorporate a good variety of different items. Cookout classics like burgers, hot dogs and potato salad are all fantastic inclusions, but don’t be afraid to throw a few of your own specialities onto the grill too.

Prepare the Grill

You should ensure that your grill is spick and span well in advance of holding your cookout. Give it a thorough clean beforehand. You’ll want to have a good degreasing agent and a grill brush, as well as your standard kitchen tools to get rid of all of the grease and other mess - both interior and exterior. Be sure to check that everything is working on the grill and the burner tube is not blocked.

Consider Your Space

Location can make the difference between a good cookout and a great one. Consider what you can do with the space you have. Ensure that your furniture arrangement is ready to accommodate your guests. If you plan on staying out until evening, pay particular attention to your lighting. Consider what areas you want to highlight and at what intensity. Creating the perfect lighting ambience can make for an unforgettable Memorial Day BBQ experience.

Always Plan for Poor Weather

It’s always wise to have a plan of action in the event of poor weather, as even the best-laid plans can quickly be ruined by a sudden onset of rain. Make preparations to quickly adapt in case of a turn towards bad weather. You could move the cookout indoors if you are able to protect yourself from rain. You could also make sure to have your waterproof gear like the Red Pro Change EVO Parka to hand to protect you from wet weather and keep you warm if the festivities go on into the late evening.

Prepare to Entertain

One of the keys to throwing an awesome Memorial Day BBQ is to ensure that your guests are being properly entertained. Preparing a good playlist with a mix of classic and popular tunes for the afternoon out is sure to boost the entertainment value of your cookout. Outdoor games can also be a major hit, especially if you’re planning on having kids over. If the weather’s nice, don’t be afraid to pull out the inflatable pool for a fun way to cool off - just be sure to keep the water away from the grill!

Make a List of What Equipment You Need

The last thing that you want is to get started with your cookout only to find that you have forgotten a crucial piece of equipment. Make sure that you’re prepared with all of the equipment that you need for the day. These include utensils, cups, plates and cutlery. You want to have easily accessible cold storage for the food as well, for which we highly recommend picking up a Red Waterproof Cool Bag - ideal for ensuring that your food is kept refreshingly cool all day.

We hope that you’ve found these top tips for a great cookout on Memorial Day helpful. If you’re in need of assistance or have any questions about the selection of quality equipment we have at Red, feel free to get in contact with our team for expert help today.