Other than catching some waves on the beach, almost nothing screams summertime more than a good ole barbecue.
The great weather is the best time to invite friends over, turn up some good music, and feast on delicious food like salmon bacon bites or a classic, juicy steak. If you have a swimming pool, that makes the party even better.
But, the truth is, barbecues can sometimes be a lot of work. It's fairly easy to get food stuck on the grill, to make the hamburgers too dry, and even make a big mess with all the condiments and bags of chips. And let's not even mention the bottle opener that somehow always seems to go missing.
Mini tragedies like the ones mentioned are never fun. That's why we've put together a list of 14 incredible barbecue hacks that will prevent any of these things from happening and make your life so much easier.
Please SHARE and let us know if you'll be trying any of these in the summer!
1. Use an egg carton to light coals
As explained by Karen Way on the blog Sew Many Ways, this is an easy way to start a fire. It's perfect for roasting hot dogs or marshmallows. Just make sure it's not a styrofoam egg carton!
2. Use an onion to clean your barbecue
Onions are a natural disinfectant. So, if you don't have a special brush to clean your grill, cut an onion in half and rub it on the surface of the plates.
3. Give your ice cooler a facelift!
An ice cooler is a must-have for any barbecue. You can get creative and enhance it like the one above. Here's a step-by-step tutorial!
4. Use double skewers
These keep foods extra secure, which is especially handy when you're making kebabs.
5. Grill fish on lemons
Placing lemons under a piece of fish on a grill will prevent it from sticking. It's also delicious!
6. Turn your grill into a pizza oven
There's nothing like the taste of brick oven pizza. Jeff Parker, the culinary director of Bull Outdoor Products, explains that you can make pizza on your grill by preheating a pizza stone for 30 minutes with indirect high heat. The stone must be very hot!
7. Spiral-cut your hot dogs
This little trick is very easy to do and it makes the hot dogs nice and crispy. It also allows the condiments to seep right in. Watch how to do it here.
I can't believe I never thought of #9 on the NEXT page!
8. Place herbs on burning coal
This will add a little bit more flavor to your food. Here's a list of the best herbs to use.
9. Use a muffin tin for the condiments
Muffin tins are great for baking — but they can also be used to store your ketchup, mustard, and other delicious condiments for your barbecue.
10. Add ice to your burger
Add a little cube to your burger before putting it on the grill. This will make it extra juicy. If you don't have ice, add 2–3 Tbsp. of ice-cold water into the mixture.
11. Tie a bottle opener to the drink tub
Instead of having people ask for the bottle opener, just tie it to the handle.
12. Make chip bags into bowls
Fold the top edge inside the bag and then roll it inside. See exactly how to do it here.
13. Use skewers to grill vegetables
Who said these are just for meat? This is the perfect way to grill your vegetables!
14. Repel flies with cloves and lemon
Place cloves in a cut lemon to keep those pests away!
Please SHARE with all the barbecue lovers you know!
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