How to Host the Perfect BBQ

As summer is well and truly upon us, there's no better way to gather family and friends than hosting a backyard barbecue. With the sun shining, the grill sizzling, and laughter filling the air, it's time to create unforgettable memories. In this article, we’re going to dish up some great tips and inspiration for hosting the absolute best barbecue in your back garden. From choosing the perfect theme to selecting mouthwatering food, refreshing drinks, and which ridiculously cool custom-made grills might provide you with some awesome talking points. 

Let’s get right into it.  

Choose a cool BBQ Party Theme

Setting a theme for your barbecue party adds an extra element of fun and excitement and might even inspire your guests to come dressed for the theme. Here are a few ideas:

 
A Taste of the Tropics

Transport your guests to a tropical paradise with a vibrant and colourful theme. Decorate your outdoor space with tiki torches and tropical flowers, and leave grass skirts and leis for your guests to put on. Serve up fruity cocktails, grilled pineapple skewers, and jerk chicken for a taste of the Caribbean. 

Festival Chic

Go back to a youth where you and your friends attended music festivals together, and recreate the festival atmosphere with a suitable soundtrack. Luminescent pint, glow sticks and band t-shirts might be the dress code. Think about burgers and skewer kebabs for food, with plenty of lager from plastic pint pots for refreshments.

Going Mediterranean

Take your guests down to the heat of the Med. Embrace the flavours of Greece with a barbecue filled with halloumi and of course, the meat to create chicken or pork gyros. Make authenticate wood-fired Italian pizzas in a pizza oven, or throw some Spanish chorizo on the grill. Delicious! 

Go Retro

Take a trip back in time with a retro-themed barbecue. 50s gangsters, 60s hippies, 70s rockers, 80s glam, or the anarchy of the 90s; everybody loves to dress up for an era-themed gathering. Create playlists of the time and get some classic burgers, sausages and chicken cooked up to fill some hungry bellies.

 
Planning the Menu

How will you be catering your BBQ? Will everybody bring a little something, or are you providing the food for your event? If it’s the latter, then here are some delicious options to satisfy every palate: 

The Main Event: Burgers, Steaks, and Sausages

When it comes to the main course, you can't go wrong with classic burgers, juicy steaks, or sizzling sausages. Choose high-quality meat and season it with your favourite marinades and rubs. Grill them to perfection and let your guests build their own creations. 
 

A Vegetarian Delight: Grilled Veggie Skewers

Vegan and vegetarian diets are growing much more widespread, so cater to your vegetarian and vegan guests with mouthwatering grilled veggie skewers. Thread an assortment of colourful vegetables like bell peppers, courgettes, mushrooms, and cherry tomatoes onto skewers. Brush them with a delicious marinade and grill until tender and slightly charred.

Mouthwatering Side Dishes: Salads and Corn-on-the-Cob 

Complete your barbecue spread with a variety of delicious side dishes. Offer a selection of fresh salads, like a refreshing summer salad with mixed greens, watermelon, and feta cheese. Or why not throw some corn-on-the-cobs on the BBQ? Serve it with lashings of butter and a sprinkle of salt, for a simple and satisfying side. 
 

Drinks to Beat the Heat

No barbecue is complete without refreshing beverages to beat the summer heat. Here are some drink options that will quench your guests' thirst:

 
Refreshing Summer Cocktails and Mocktails

Offer a selection of refreshing summer cocktails and mocktails to keep your guests cool and hydrated. Serve up classics like mojitos, piña coladas, and margaritas. For the non-alcoholic options, provide fruity mocktails like a refreshing watermelon cooler or a zesty lemonade spritzer. 

Wine and Beer Pairings for Barbecue

Pairing the right wine or beer with your barbecue dishes can elevate the flavours and enhance the dining experience. For grilled meats, opt for bold red wines like a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Malbec. If you prefer beer, choose a hoppy IPA or a crisp lager to complement the smoky flavours. 

Setting the Mood with Music

Music sets the tone for any gathering, and your barbecue is no exception. 

Creating the Perfect Playlist

Curate a playlist that matches the atmosphere you want to create. Include a mix of genres, from upbeat classics to contemporary hits. Choose songs that evoke a sense of summer, or strong memories that you share, and make your guests want to dance and sing along.

Background Music vs. Party Anthems

Consider the balance between background music and party anthems. During the initial stages of the party, opt for softer background music that allows guests to mingle and chat comfortably. As the night progresses and the energy picks up, switch it up to more upbeat party anthems that encourage singing, dancing and celebration. 

Preparing Your Barbecue Area

Before the barbecue fun begins, it's essential to prepare your barbecue area. Here are some tips to get you started: 

Dusting Down Your BBQ: Cleaning and Restoration

If your barbecue has been stored away, it's time to give it some attention. Clean and restore your grill well ahead of the season to ensure it's ready for action. Remove any debris and scrub away any stuck-on food. If necessary, heat up the grill to burn off any stubborn remnants. 

Investing in a New Barbecue: Finding the Perfect Fit

If you're in the market for a new barbecue, consider the size of your outdoor space and your specific grilling needs. Whether you have a small balcony or a spacious garden, there are barbecues to suit all spaces and tastes, especially in the Burned by Design range of bespoke burners and grills.  
 

The Benefits of a Custom-Made Barbecue

When it comes to barbecues, the possibilities are endless, especially with custom-made grills.  

Introducing Burned by Design: Handmade Steel Grills

Burned by Design is an established maker and seller of steel grills and BBQs, handmade by our company founder Alex Dodson. His craftsmanship and attention to detail ensure a high-quality product that will elevate your barbecue experience beyond a simple, plain outdoor gas barbecue that fails to give you that unmistakable smoky, grilled flavour that you associated with BBQs. From Stuart the Minion to the Star Wars AT-AT, From Freddie Krueger to Eddie the Iron Maiden mascot, we offer a range of options to suit different tastes and preferences.

Unique Barbecue Models: Star Wars and More

One standout feature of Burned by Design is our collection of unique Star Wars-themed burners and grills. For enthusiasts, we offer an AT-AT BBQ grill and a Millennium Falcon fire pit and grill. We make and sell an unbelievable R2D2 pizza oven. These stunning creations add a touch of sci-fi magic to your backyard gatherings and are guaranteed to instil a sense of wonder and amazement in your guests. 

Freddie Krueger Wood Burner and Grill

For those who love horror movies, Burned by Design has the perfect barbecue for you. The Freddie Krueger wood burner and grill is a conversation starter and a must-have for any horror fan. Impress your guests with this striking and unconventional piece of functional art. 

Stuart the Minion Wood Burner and Grill

If you're looking for something whimsical and fun, Burned by Design has a Stuart the Minion wood burner and grill. This adorable character from the Despicable Me franchise will bring a smile to everyone's face and add a playful element to your barbecue area. 

Heavy Metal Grills

Since 2022, Burned by Design has been a manufacturer and seller of official Iron Maiden and Motorhead merchandise, and part of this exceptional range of products includes a Motorhead Snaggletooth Burner and Grill, and a Powerslave Eddie Burner and Grill, amongst others. If you’re a heavy metal fan, then check out the full range of iconic products here.  

Handmade BBQs Delivered Around the World

We are masters of the weird, the wonderful and the macabre here at Burned by Design. We make and sell custom burners, barbecues and grills that will suit many different tastes. Whether you’re a football fanatic, science fiction enthusiast or heavy metal aficionado, there’s something in our range for everybody.  

We deliver fire pits and BBQs across the world, having sent products as far as Australia and the USA and beyond. To get one of our amazing burners for yourself, either head to our shop and browse the full range or get in touch with our team to discuss any completely unique designs you have in mind. If you can dream it, you better believe that we can create it. Simply use our contact form, email info@burnedbydesign.com or get in touch on +447817197999 and we’ll be delighted to have a chat about your vision.