When it gets hot like it has been in Savannah, we really love inviting our friends and family over a cookout. It’s always nice when everyone can get together over a burger and a cold beer while the kiddos can run around in the sprinkler or a pool.
In fact, we can’t think of a better way to spend Father’s Day then good ol’ cookout, grilling burgers, hotdogs, and corn on the cob. You name it, and we’ve probably grilled it. Good friends and good food, it’s what life’s all about! We used to love cooking outside with our dad. We’d eat outside and then play all day until we heard Dad whistle, and that’s when we knew it was time to come home.
We’ve got some really great tips so that you can host a really special Father’s Day Cookout. We’re happy to share these with y’all in our cookbook The Deen Bros. Get Fired Up. So this is the just a sampling. For tons more tips and recipes, pick a copy up for yourself- you’ll love it, especially now that it’s grill season!
We hope that you’ll find them useful, and if you’ve got some tips of your own, feel free to leave them in the comments below.
Gas vs. Charcoal?
We generally use our gas grill when we’re grilling at home. Since it can be preheated and ready to go with just the flick of a switch and turn of a dial, it’s just easier. On the other hand, charcoal-burning kettle grills are great when you don’t have a lot of space to set up the grill or if you want to wheel it over to one section of your yard.
Must-Have Grilling Tools
While some tools and gadgets are unnecessary, you can’t grill without long-handled tongs, a long-handled basting brush, metal skewers, a grilling basket, and a good pair of heavy-duty grilling gloves. These simple items will make your outdoor cooking experience much more enjoyable.
The Perfect Burger
When it comes down to it, a good grilled burger is all about the meat. We like to use a blend of fatty ground chuck and leaner sirloin (at a ratio of about 80 to 20 percent), for a nice, juicy burger.
It’s All About Ambience
Christmas lights on the patio are a perfect way to light up an after-dark barbecue. Hurricane lanterns work nicely if you don’t have access to electrical outlets, and citronella candles will do double duty, lighting up the backyard and keeping mosquitos at bay.
Easy Cleanup!
Use brown craft paper instead of a tablecloth for outdoor dining. It makes cleanup much easier, and you can put out a jar of crayons for the kids to color with while they’re waiting for second helpings.
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Photo courtesy Ben Fink.
Some of our favorite grilling recipes:
Herb-Rubbed Grilled Pork Tenderloin
