Eight Tips on Grilling for a Crowd

More than just about any other day of the year, the Fourth of July is not only for grilling, it’s also a day of grilling for large groups. The combination of a holiday, hot weather, and fireworks always seems to bring people together around the grill.

Whether it’s friends, family, or a little of both, Fourth of July is the one day of the year we know we’ll be gathered around the grill, cooking, drinking, and having a good time.

But grilling a meal for a large group of people is different than when you’re turning on the gas for a small family dinner on a Saturday night. Grilling for a crowd requires planning, timing, and a bit of skill to get everything off the grill and on the table at the same time.

• KEEP IT SIMPLE – The Fourth of July is all about hamburgers and hot dogs. But if you want to change things up, consider one our unique appetizers.
• KICK THINGS OFF WITH  A WOW – Have your guests see fireworks when they first arrive by handing them a slice of grilled watermelon. This quick and simple appetizer is a GrillGrate staple at summer cookouts.
• END ON A HIGH NOTE – Who doesn’t love ooey gooey s’mores? GrillGrates give this classic dessert a new twist that will have everyone licking their fingers!
• PLAN AHEAD – Start planning your meal a week or so ahead of time. Have a good idea of how many people are coming and if there are any dietary restrictions. The last thing you want to do is set down a plate of beautiful lamb chops in front of vegetarians who have nothing to eat. Keep a list of what you’ll need so you don’t have to make a grocery store run in the middle of your party.
• SPLIT THE GRILL – GrillGrates allow you to easily partition your grill. The rails are great for searing meat or giving veggies those eye-catching grill marks. The flat surface cooks veggies and keeps them separated from the proteins. No matter what setup you need, GrillGrates has you (and your grill) covered.
• TIMING IS EVERYTHING – Before you start cooking, take out a sheet of paper and write down the approximate times everything needs to cook, whether on the grill, in the oven, or on the stove. Once you know how long each item will take to prepare, you can work it so almost all the food hits the table at the same time.
• GET HELP – Even the best chefs and grillers have help when it comes to big tasks. Have a friend prep food while you grill, or better yet, have them bring over a second grill to share in the grilling. Remember, share your cooler too!
• HAVE FUN – There are going to be a few minor issues. Don’t sweat them. No matter what happens, have fun!