Temperatures are on the rise, which means there will soon be lots of sunny days perfect for hosting a barbecue or preparing that new and exciting salad recipe you’ve been dying to try out on your friends and family.

That’s well and dandy, but you haven’t checked out what’s under the grill cover (assuming you even have one) since last summer. You make a really valid point there. Make sure the grill is spotless and in good operating order before the first cookout of the season.

Now that barbecue season is quickly approaching, it’s helpful to have a few pointers at your disposal: 

• If you’re hosting a barberque, you should do more than just grill up some burgers and hot dogs for everyone to enjoy.  Choosing high-quality cuts of meat is crucial if you want your dinner to have a pleasant flavour.  Paying a visit to the local butcher shop or talking to someone who works in the meat section of your local grocery store would be a wise choice.  
• You need a marinade, barbecue sauce, or seasoning blend that you have used before and know would work well.  Chips, baked beans, potato salads, macaroni salads, grilled vegetables, salads, and raw vegetables with a dipping sauce are all great complements to barbecued meats.  It’s possible that some of your guests will offer to bring snacks.
• If you want to throw a nice BBQ, you need to make sure you have all the right tools.  Having the proper tools at your disposal will make it much easier for you to do your tasks as a cook.  Make sure you have everything you need, like food and grilling tools, before you start grilling. By doing this, you can avoid making repeated trips outside to the barbecue. 
• People will be thirsty in the summer, so be sure to have lots of beverages for your barbecue.  You can’t go wrong with lemonade, water, beer, soda, or mixed beverages.  Each attendee at your party should offer to bring a few bottles of wine or beer.
• Make an effort to create an atmosphere that is pleasant and inviting for your guests.  Talk to your guests and try to get them talking to one another.  Quickly clean up the mess after the BBQ is over, and then relax and enjoy the company of your guests.  At the end of the night, be sure to thank your guests for attending and reiterate your open invitation to return at their convenience.
• Now is the time to get a barbeque grill cover if you don’t already have one. A grill cover serves two purposes: it shields the grill from the elements and it prevents animals from using it as a makeshift barbecue.

Finally, fill up the petrol tanks and get everything ready to go before you invite your friends over for the first BBQ of the season. This needs to be taken care of before any guests arrive.