***Disclosure: I received payment and/or product samples to facilitate my post. As always, all opinions are 100% honest and have not been influenced in any way.***
Summer in the Cleveland, Ohio suburbs is absolutely PERFECT, in my humble opinion. The weather is generally nice and warm without being too unbearably hot, and tons of families choose to spend as much time outdoors as possible. Hey, can you really blame us? We also have to endure winters with temps that have been dipping down into the -40° range! So when summer arrives, it's definitely something to celebrate!
One of the ways my family loves to take advantage of gorgeous summer days is by firing up the grill for a good, old-fashioned BBQ. After all, what's better than ice cold drinks paired with burgers, dogs, steaks, or even grilled chicken or veggies? Add to that family, friends, and some killer tunes, and you have the perfect recipe for summer fun.
I'd love to share 5 great tips to help ensure your Backyard BBQ is not only a complete success, but quite possibly the envy of the whole block!
1. Invest in outdoor dinnerware. (Trust me here, especially if you have kids!)
Normal dinnerware is generally made from glass or ceramic, and this can equal disaster for those outdoor soirees. Luckily, there are some absolutely gorgeous dinnerware and serving pieces made specifically for outdoor use. These are typically made from melamine or acrylic, which means they're both durable and VERY hard to break. Dropped a cup or plate? No problem! When choosing to use outdoor dishes, you won't be stopping the party to clean up sharp shards of glass. 
2. Make BIG Burgers for the adults and sliders for the littles.
Kids often have eyes that are bigger than their stomachs. At least in MY home this is the case. My kids often want to eat the same things as the grown-ups, but their appetites just can't handle adult serving sizes. Rather than wasting 3/4 of a burger, I make sliders for the kids. They LOVE these mini-burgers, and they enjoy topping them with their favorite veggies and condiments. If you're not into ground beef, you could certainly substitute with ground chicken, turkey, or even a blend of beans and spices for a crave-worthy veggie burger. Get creative! Cooking out should be fun! 
3. Make Mealtime Ideal for Mingling
When we BBQ, we often find ourselves scrambling to find enough table room for everybody, especially if we are entertaining guests. One way to combat this issue is by offering guests more portable options for their meal, such as classic burger baskets and liners, as well as a self-serve beverage station. This allows people to easily wander our property with food in hand, chatting it up while enjoying their meal. Not to mention, burger baskets are adorable and have such a summery, retro feel. 
4. Just Add Water.
One thing we have found can be a challenge is keeping the kids away from the hot grill while it's in use. I am SUPER paranoid about accidental burns, so I always try to distract the kids and keep their attention as far away from the fire as possible. One great way to do this is to offer water play! For one, water will help kids stay cool in scorching summer heat. This can involve anything from a Slip N' Slide to a baby pool to an awesome inflatable water slide like the one seen above. Of course you will want to have an adult on "Kid Duty" to make sure that no water-related accidents occur. By adding water play, the kids will be excited and engaged, and your Grill-Master can cook in peace. It's a win-win situation. 
5. Keep Sensible Snacks On Hand.
When we BBQ, we often mingle and chat for a couple of hours before our main meal is served. We like to keep several nutritious, delicious snacks on hand for everyone to munch on. One of our absolute favorites are Fisher Nut Exactly Snack Bites. The first snack of its kind, Fisher Nut Exactly is a combination of roasted almonds, blueberries, pumpkin seeds and whole grain popcorn, rolled into a bite sized snack that’s dipped in rich dark chocolate. Oh, and I should mention that these snacks contain absolutely no artificial preservatives. These snacks come in a generously sized 20oz resealable package, which makes them ideal for get-togethers or even snacking on the go. These delicious, crunchy morsels are also gluten-free, which makes them a great choice for households that have gluten-restrictions in their diets. How AMAZING does that sound?!
My family absolutely loves these sweet and savory treats. They have a very nice crunch, vibrant fruit flavor, and a hint of saltiness. This is balanced out by the sinfully decadent dark chocolate these babies are dipped in. Truly, these are the perfect snack. They're sure to please even the pickiest eaters, like my brood!
Fisher Nut Exactly Snack Bites in the Almond Blueberry dipped in Dark Chocolate variety is available exclusively at Costco retailers in the Midwest. For more information about where to buy Fisher Nut Exactly, visit www.FisherNutExactly.com You can also check them out on Facebook and on twitter to stay on top of their latest products and promotions! Enter to WIN :
I am thrilled to announce that one lucky reader will receive a Fisher Nut Exactly Prize Package that includes a 20oz bag of Nut Exactly Snack Bites and a $50 Costco Gift Card. (Membership is NOT required to use this card!)
How cool is that?! 
This giveaway is open to US residents 18+ until 11:59PM EST July 16, 2015. No PO Boxes. Winners will be drawn using Rafflecopter's Random Number Generator. All entries will be verified, so play fair! I will notify winner via e-mail and they will have 48 hours to reply before I am forced to redraw winners. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. This contest is not affiliated with Facebook, twitter, Pinterest, or Google in any way. If you have any questions, please e-mail Brandy at newlycrunchymamaof3@gmail.com Thanks for entering, and Good Luck!
138 Comments
lisa
7/6/2015 08:52:31 am
My husband loves these nuts and we have a Costco in the area.I think food in general tastes better cooked on the grill.I'm not the cook that you are. Luckily my husband is a good cook.
Brenda Haines
7/6/2015 09:35:28 am
When you bbq a roast, like a tri tip. Put your coals on one side of the grill and the roast on the other. Close the lid and leave it alone, depending on the size anywhere from 45 mins to an hour and 15 mins. Thanks
HS
7/6/2015 12:53:39 pm
I use muffin tin to put condiments while BBQ.
Jeanne Rousseau
7/6/2015 01:05:39 pm
I love to do grilled veggies and the secret to keeping them moist is to use lots of oil!
Darlene Ysaguirre
7/6/2015 02:12:20 pm
I coat all the the hotdogs with bbq sauce when their on the grill and it gives them a great extra boost of flavor.
Wendy R.
7/6/2015 03:05:58 pm
Ya, I'm not grill master at all. My tip is let someone else do it! :D 7/6/2015 03:35:11 pm
I add cayenne powder and maple syrup to my barbeque sauce after I take the ribs off the grill and then place the ribs in the oven for an additional 30 to 40 minutes.
nicole dziedzic
7/6/2015 06:45:45 pm
My BBQ tip is always marinade the meat for a day or two, and make sure you cook all meat to the right temperature. This equals out for the best tasting meat.
Janet W.
7/6/2015 07:14:40 pm
I personally don't have any tips, but I think my husband said he doesn't put the BBQ chicken in the center of the grill, he lines it around the outside edge so it doesn't burn too quickly.
Laurie Nykaza
7/6/2015 07:48:19 pm
We just use our favorite sauces and cook the meat slowly and it always comes out goodl
Sharon Rooney
7/6/2015 08:43:29 pm
Instead of cooking corn on the cob on the stove in boiling water, husk it and cook it on the grill. It tastes great and no more waiting for the water to boil.
Cynthia C
7/6/2015 09:34:09 pm
My tip is to use a good digital thermometer to know when the food is done.
Tarah
7/6/2015 11:15:47 pm
I love grilling our veggies on the grill with Italian dressing
Terri S.
7/7/2015 12:15:30 am
Hubby is the grill master at our house. A tip is to soak ears of corn in water with husks on. When you grill them the husks won't catch on fire and the water in husks will steam the corn to perfection. :-)
cheryl s
7/7/2015 12:38:23 am
tenderize and marinate meat - makes it so good on the grill
Denise L
7/7/2015 01:57:59 am
Plan ahead. Do all your prep in advance, and if you are truly BBQing (not grilling) start early and cook low and slow as long as possible.
Christina Sparks
7/7/2015 02:09:17 am
My husband does, but he keeps it a secret even from me..lol 7/7/2015 02:59:39 am
With my family, I keep it sweet. They prefer all marinades and sauces to be on the sweet side.
Deborah Wellenstein
7/7/2015 03:26:20 am
My husband does the barbecuing-his tip-get a charcoal chimney to put your charcoal in and light it off-no more lighter fluid.
beth shepherd
7/7/2015 05:11:15 am
My best tip is to cook it low and slow. Thank you
Paige Chandler
7/7/2015 05:58:54 am
Put honey in the BBQ sauce
kath g
7/7/2015 06:41:30 am
I put Italian dressing on my meat about half way through cooking. It keeps the meat moist and adds to the flavor.
lisa
7/7/2015 08:38:43 am
We like the taste of bbq ribs but not the fat and bone. We use pork loin and marinade it the cook it very slowly , cut it into rib sized portions and then put it on the grill to finish.
Elena
7/7/2015 10:47:14 am
we marinate the meats overnight
Tara Huff
7/7/2015 12:15:54 pm
Marinate!!!
Ashley Chassereau Parks
7/7/2015 01:05:15 pm
We do not eat meat, but we love to grill our veggies! :D I love grilled corn with butter & paprika! :)
Jen Haile
7/7/2015 01:21:55 pm
For me, it's all about the marinade! I make one with apple cider vinegar and hot sauce of choice.
Margot C
7/7/2015 01:27:15 pm
Always have a 'Hot" area and a not-so-hot holding area on your grill (move the coals around to achieve this)
Brenda Haines
7/8/2015 12:58:08 am
Bbq a roast. like Tri Tip, by putting the coals on one side and the meat on the other. Close the lid and let the magic happen. 45 minutes to an hour and 30minutes. Depending on how big it is.
Paige Chandler
7/8/2015 03:36:39 am
do not boil ribs before grilling
Darlene Ysaguirre
7/8/2015 07:59:47 am
Make sure your coals are nice and hot before putting food on the grill.
Sharon Rooney
7/8/2015 08:22:54 am
Cook veggies on the grill in foil, when the meat is done the veggies are done. When we cook steak we do onions and mushrooms this way.
lisa
7/8/2015 08:27:03 am
Just do it! Food cooked outdoors always tastes better. And, the kitchen doesn't get heated up.
robyn paris
7/8/2015 08:48:42 am
I don't really have any bbq tips other than just be ready for the crowd.
Margot Core
7/8/2015 08:56:29 am
BBQ wings and vegetables in a basket
beth shepherd
7/8/2015 09:45:56 am
My tip is to use a thermometer just in case
nicole dziedzic
7/8/2015 10:03:49 am
My BBQ tip is instead of spending lots of money on utensils, plates, and napkins, and other party gear, shop your local dollar tree, they have awesome stuff for outdoor bbq parties.
Amanda Alvarado
7/8/2015 01:07:09 pm
I don't have any! Hubby does all the BBQing and I stay inside where it's cool! LOL
Paige Chandler
7/9/2015 02:22:54 am
Mop meat with sauce on the grill
Natalie
7/9/2015 04:20:20 am
I like to grill fish and veggies in aluminum foil. It makes for easy clean up!
Rachel
7/9/2015 06:13:52 am
have the bug spray handy
Angelica
7/9/2015 07:40:14 am
I don't really have any bbq success tips except to keep a piping hot grill when you do steaks. Make sure to get a nice sear and take those puppies off! Rare steaks are the best steaks. :)
lisa
7/9/2015 08:35:08 am
I like food cooked on the grill. For me, it's a hit when it isn't over or under cooked.
Amanda Sakovitz
7/9/2015 10:25:08 am
My best tip is to use a meat thermometer
Sarah L
7/9/2015 01:38:07 pm
I love my silicone gloves for BBQing.
Natalie
7/9/2015 09:43:39 pm
You can grill pizza just make sure the grill is not too hot.
Terri S.
7/9/2015 10:35:32 pm
My tip is to check the gauge on your propane tank. My sister was having a BBQ with her family and ran out of propane halfway through cooking. They all drove to my house to finish on our grill. Lucky for us!
Denise L
7/9/2015 11:52:36 pm
We like to do kabobs because they grill up faster than larger pieces of meat and they are totally customizable!
beth shepherd
7/10/2015 12:03:18 am
Let the meat rest and become room temp before grilling
Donna Jacoby
7/10/2015 12:17:43 am
As I haven't grilled anything, I'll leave the tips to the experts. Thank you for the giveaway!
kath g
7/10/2015 12:19:33 am
When I'm cooking a lot of meat, I sometimes pre-cook the chicken half way in the oven before I put it on the grill, so I can get more done without having to replenish the charcoal so often, but still getting the great taste.
Paige Chandler
7/10/2015 03:38:26 am
Grill BBQ low and slow 7/10/2015 06:51:30 am
For anything small, like fruit or vegetables, put them on/in foil so they don't slip through the grate.
lisa
7/10/2015 09:30:46 am
To me a BBQ doesn't always mean cooking with sauce. I'm happy to have a good tuna steak or beef tenderloin. If the food isn't under or over cooked, I'm happy! 7/10/2015 09:52:07 am
One thing that we always do before we BBQ, is clean the grill before using it.
Robin Trexel
7/10/2015 09:50:29 pm
My tip is use foil over the grill to keep your burgers from falling apart.
Dina Lindquist
7/11/2015 12:59:39 am
I make sure to marinate my chicken and meat before grilling so it's tender and it helps decrease HCA formation by up to 96 percent!
kelley wood
7/11/2015 01:17:35 am
I like to smoke a boston butt and add some ketchup/vinegar sauce to it :)
Paige Chandler
7/11/2015 04:06:51 am
Let meat rest after BBQ
Sharon Rooney
7/11/2015 08:29:31 am
If having alcohol at a BBQ always make sure you have plenty of other non-alcoholic drinks for your guests to drink. Many times especially when it is hot people do not realize how much they are drinking.
lisa
7/11/2015 09:15:00 am
Let the food sit overnight in a good sauce so it absorbs the flavor. And slow cook tougher cuts of meat before finishing on the grill.
MIKE
7/11/2015 11:37:19 am
good tips
Margot C
7/11/2015 11:53:09 am
Pre-cook ribs in the oven before putting them on the grill.
kath g
7/11/2015 04:33:44 pm
My tip is to always make a lot more than you think you need, because even if you don't eat it all, the left-overs are great.
Karen Drake
7/12/2015 02:41:27 am
My only BBQ tip is to not use the heat on high.
Natalie
7/12/2015 03:47:09 am
Grill corn on the cob in the husk! It steams it well.
Paige Chandler
7/12/2015 05:35:30 am
Always BBQ extra. It will be eaten!
lisa
7/12/2015 08:36:30 am
I like steak and vegetables grilled. Baked potato ang other vegetables are always good,
MelissaO
7/12/2015 10:05:29 am
I leave the grilling up to my husband, as I am not very good at it. But I do think marinating for at least a few hours is key
Margot C
7/12/2015 10:32:28 am
Parboil corn, then wrap it in foil.
Laurie Nykaza
7/12/2015 07:01:00 pm
We like to grill veggies in a metal basket makes it so simple to do.
Denise L
7/13/2015 12:26:47 am
I've learned this one from experience - always check to make sure you have enough charcoal to get you through grilling all the food!
Lauren
7/13/2015 12:54:46 am
My tip is to leave plenty of time to heat up the grill.
Paige Chandler
7/13/2015 02:59:14 am
Never serve ketchup with your BBQ
lisa
7/13/2015 08:13:26 am
A good cookout to me is not having the food moo at me,(no pink) or be crispy. I don't like burnt food. If I did, I'd cook it myself.
Sue C.
7/13/2015 02:51:55 pm
Partially cook ribs and chicken indoors then finish off on the BBQ - much less time is needed on the grell and much less worry about meat being underdone or burned.
Tina W
7/13/2015 03:09:57 pm
Don't overcrowd the grill!
Jamie Williams
7/13/2015 03:16:02 pm
im sorry! i do not have any bbq success stories
shaunie
7/13/2015 04:59:24 pm
I would have to say to always be prepared
Brenda Haines
7/14/2015 01:33:55 am
Use a chimney to start your briquets, lighter fluid makes things taste bad.
Tammy Arnold
7/14/2015 02:04:20 am
We love to grill squash and other vegetables out of our garden. By
Paige Chandler
7/14/2015 02:25:42 am
Grill corn on the cob...Mmmmm
Peggy Johnson
7/14/2015 04:32:42 am
Take burgers off grill right before you think they are done so they dont get overcooked
lisa
7/14/2015 09:09:24 am
I think everything is better when cooked outdoors.I'm happy if the food is perfectly cooked.
rust
7/14/2015 09:44:47 am
We marinate wings in a big gallon ziploc the night before for wonderful flavor!
Margot C
7/14/2015 10:34:07 am
Marinate thick asparagus stalks in olive oil & balsamic vinegar (I add lots of coarse ground pepper too); grill - but not for too long - awesomeness!
Susan Smith
7/14/2015 12:39:01 pm
My best tip for grilling is to use a meat thermometer
Birdiebee
7/14/2015 01:09:56 pm
Get your grill really hot before cooking. I preheat the grill 15 to 25 minutes before cooking to make sure it reaches the right temperature as well as to kill any bacteria.
Sarah L
7/14/2015 02:48:06 pm
I have a veggie pan that makes great grilled veggies. 7/14/2015 05:55:11 pm
If you put lemon juice in your marinade the meat will be tender
courtney b
7/14/2015 11:23:59 pm
I absolutely have NO bbq tips to share....
Nicole Carter
7/15/2015 12:10:38 am
I don't have any tips! I do know BBQ sauce sure is tasty!
Brenda Haines
7/15/2015 01:34:39 am
Clean your grill will wadded up tin foil. Never use a wire brush, they are very dangerous and the wires can come off and get on your food.
Paige Chandler
7/15/2015 03:25:07 am
Don't cut the meat too close to the bone
Margot C
7/15/2015 06:58:40 am
Put onions in a basket or on a foil (they are yummy, but they fall apart!)
Amy Z
7/15/2015 06:59:55 am
I know that a little aluminum foil goes a long way!
Julie Hawkins
7/15/2015 08:08:46 am
My tip is cook low and slow for best meat flavor
Carol
7/15/2015 08:54:23 am
I like to marinate the meats overnight
lisa
7/15/2015 08:58:02 am
This will sound silly but I learned how to light the grill. That is my grilling story.
Laurie Emerson
7/15/2015 11:51:15 am
My best tip is to soak the steak or chicken overnight in salt water. It makes them so tender when you grill them.
Tina D Reynolds
7/15/2015 11:54:41 am
My tip is too marinate your meat over night
Sarah L
7/15/2015 12:03:06 pm
Use tongs, not a fork for steak turning.
Kara
7/15/2015 12:31:25 pm
Have a glass of water near by for the fire ups!
mike
7/15/2015 02:39:02 pm
nuts are good for you
Kayce Crews
7/15/2015 03:26:38 pm
I like to use Cola as an ingredient it BBQ sauce.
Laurie Nykaza
7/15/2015 07:02:58 pm
keep everything cut the same size so it cooks the same for the veggies
Nicole Carter
7/15/2015 08:39:34 pm
The only tip I can think of is baste often (if your using BBQ sauce).
Joy Q
7/15/2015 09:43:02 pm
My tip is that I marinate my veggies in balsamic vinegar with spices before grilling.
nancy
7/15/2015 11:33:46 pm
DH does the barbequing - I'm not allowed, he thinks I'd set fire to the house
cynthia dawson
7/15/2015 11:48:32 pm
My tip is to start homemade BBQ sauce by cooking down fine chopped onion in a little butter before adding the rest of your sauce ingredients to the pan.
Denise L
7/16/2015 12:10:09 am
When BBQing chicken marinate it in a little olive oil, salt, garlic, and lemon juice first.
Ed
7/16/2015 01:24:53 am
With a direct barbecue flame, be careful with the sauce on the item; it can char easily.
thischickwins
7/16/2015 01:57:55 am
its one of the simplest but one i needed to learn- soak your skewers before placing them on the grill!
Amanda Sakovitz
7/16/2015 02:14:49 am
My tip is to do a few at a time
Paige Chandler
7/16/2015 03:10:17 am
Use maple wood for a sweet BBQ taste
clynsg
7/16/2015 04:33:03 am
No, I am not the one who barbeques.
Michelle W
7/16/2015 05:02:31 am
My tip is to have everything ready outside. Cheese slices for cheeseburgers and platters for the food coming off the grill.
Natalie
7/16/2015 05:11:15 am
I put a cup of water on the grill to add extra steam
Vicki D.
7/16/2015 06:29:38 am
I suggest shish-ka-bobs for your next barbeque party. Have everything cut up and set out. Then, everyone builds their own and then cooks them. You can put out whatever meats, vegetables, and sauces that you want. This is easy, but delicious!
Lily Kwan
7/16/2015 07:11:26 am
My tip is marinade before grilling.
lisa
7/16/2015 08:48:47 am
We marinade food overnight in the fridge before grilling. It gives it extra flavor.
Buddy Garrett
7/16/2015 09:23:10 am
I don't have any tips but find a great sauce because bbq is all about the sauce. 7/16/2015 09:39:11 am
Pre-marinate our food with Worcestershire sauce about 45 minutes before cooking time.
patricia delgado
7/16/2015 10:10:48 am
Don't continuously press down hamburgers with a spatula they will dry out!
Donna L
7/16/2015 10:19:33 am
Don't put the bbq sauce on early, it will burn.
Birdiebee
7/16/2015 10:23:17 am
When grilling with charcoal, it is ready when 80 percent of the coals are ash-gray.
Nikki Davis
7/16/2015 10:53:05 am
You can never use too much butter and garlic to baste.
Cheryl Reinhardt
7/16/2015 12:44:54 pm
My BBQ Sauce tip is the more BBQ Sauce the better, I slather it over and over again until the food is done.... taste delicious that way!
Richard Hicks
7/16/2015 12:45:36 pm
My tip is to use charcoal for best taste
Bryan E.
7/16/2015 01:24:19 pm
Thank You for the giveaway…my only BBQ tip is to cook "Low & Slow" i.e. low heat, over a longer period of time for best results !
Sarah L
7/16/2015 01:30:06 pm
I love my silicone mitts for BBQing.
Joy Venters
7/16/2015 01:31:45 pm
Since I don't know how to BBQ, my best tip is to relax and enjoy the gifts of those who do
Trisha McKee
7/16/2015 01:33:30 pm
My tip is to use a grill mat to ensure food doesnt fall through or get scorched. Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
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