Most people love to cook and eat outside.

Let’s get started. The summer is fast approaching and we are all looking forward to the outdoors. Now is the time to start planning your barbecues. It’s time to prepare for those barbecues, whether they’ll be in the backyard or on the patio.

Many people, including myself, will agree that food cooked outside tastes better. You must love the smells that come from cooking outside. They seem to waft about as you cook, making everyone hungry. Why does food that is cooked outside always smell better than indoors?

There are many ways to cook outdoors. Your family may enjoy the wonderful flavors of charcoal or wood, or you and your family might prefer propane gas for its convenience, cleanliness and control. The market is flooded with outdoor cooking equipment that will make your experience fun and produce great results.

When it comes to selecting your outdoor kitchen equipment, a little planning is required as you could easily miss out on a few tricks and fail to deliver when the time comes! Here are 20 tips that will help you plan your outdoor cooking this season.

1. If you are looking for convenience and ease, go with gas grills. If you’re not worried about the extra time or effort and you love the flavor that comes from the smoke, then choose charcoal.
2. Never use lighter fuels if you are using charcoal. Why? No matter how long you wait before grilling your food, you will still pick up the chemical smells…Yuck! ;
3. You should ask yourself if you are investing for the long term or just for this summer. Cheap’stuffs’ will only last for a few months. You know that you will pay more for the quality of your grill if you choose to invest in it. If you can, don’t buy cheap. For example, stainless steel is more durable and looks better than aluminum. It also cleans much easier. However it’s important to note that aluminum distributes heat more evenly.
4. You can choose from a wide range of styles and sizes. Your budget is also important. But don’t forget that quality matters. You don’t want regret your purchase halfway through summer! Choose the best grill you can.
5. Consider where you will be cooking, and purchase the appropriate kit. You may need different cooking equipment when cooking outside than on your patio. Gas grills can be heavier and bulkier, but on the patio this is a plus. In the outback it’s a chore. They cook faster than charcoal grills. Some people dislike gas grills because they prefer the flavor of wood. etc.
6. If you are into Jambalaya cooking, then you should buy Jambalaya pots. If you plan to fry whole turkeys, a turkey fryer kit will be ideal. You should purchase a set of Jambalaya pots if you are into this style of cooking. If you plan to fry whole turkeys, then a kit for turkey frying will be perfect. Do you prefer cooking with cast iron, Dutch ovens for outdoor cooking, or open grills? You can ask yourself as many questions as you want. Only you will know what your family prefers. You don’t have to be as difficult as you think to plan ahead. I suggest you visit a store with a full range of products and ask yourself, “What will work best for our family?”
7. Check the propane level in the cylinder before cooking and always have an extra cylinder on hand. It’s not fun to have family and friends hovering around while the meal is almost ready, and then the gas runs out! No problem if you have a spare, but what if not?
8. Remember to follow basic safety guidelines when cooking outside. Salmonella can be just as active and happy outdoors as inside. What should you do? You should keep your fresh meat plates, and any cooking utensils, away from the plates and cooking tools that you will be using to eat off. It’s obvious, but it is very important. This is especially true if your children are helping you.
9. You may be taking your cooking kit to the beach or outback where safety regulations prohibit the use of some cooking methods. It is annoying to arrive at your destination and find that your kit doesn’t meet the requirements. Don’t assume that they won’t notice. Have you seen recent fires that have gotten out of hand? Safety comes first. Remember that there are usually restrictions in picnic areas, beaches and camping zones.
10. Share with your family the great recipes that work well outdoors, and especially any simple tips you used to make it so successful. Cooking outdoors can be intimidating for many people. Even when they try it, they often make mistakes that you can help them to avoid. Simple tips need passing on;
11. The food will quickly dry up if you pierce it on the BBQ. Most people dislike BBQs because of the tasteless, dried-out food that is often produced by a smoldering BBQ.
12. It is important to not overcook meat as it will dry out.
13. It is important to defrost meat completely before cooking it on a grill. This is not only dangerous for your health, but also the food will be burned on the outside even before the inside is cooked!
14. Cooking outdoors should be done at a slower pace, unless you are cooking steaks. Steaks need to be seared and the shortest amount of time possible is best for how you want them to come out. [Yes, I know that this goes against conventional wisdom and your desire to get the food cooked quickly, but the benefits of slow-cooked foods far exceed the time required.
15. Let your meat rest without cutting it. It allows the juices and flavor to be released.
16. If you have the time, marinate your meats overnight before grilling. You will notice that the flavor of your food will be enhanced, and your guests will be amazed.
17. Keep the lid closed on a grill as much as you can. It improves the consistency in cooking because the heat is retained. This heat would otherwise be lost every time you open the lid.
18. There are many online recipes that are free. Some of them are great. Keep things simple, and try new recipes. Don’t be fooled by those who say that quick and easy are the best. Instead, choose things that cook fast! NO. You can add flavor to your food by using marinades. Cook them slower and you will retain more flavor.
19. Dutch cooking is easy to do and has great flavors. You can find recipes online.
20. Share the fun of outdoor cooking with your family and friends. You can inspire a passion for cooking in your children by getting them involved. This is something that’s hard to achieve in the kitchen. You’ll laugh, and if you include your friends in the cooking you will start to appreciate them differently than before. It’s like a different way of bonding. You will start to appreciate them in a completely different way …… fascinating! Just a quick note, but be careful, the opposite can also work out.