When the weather warms up, there’s nothing like a backyard cookout to ring in the season. From catching up with friends to indulging in homemade sweets, you can mingle and feast for hours for a fraction of the cost of dining out. However, you’ll still need to stock up on supplies like propane and ice to ensure everyone is satisfied and refreshed. To host the perfect backyard cookout, use this checklist to your advantage.

A Brief Checklist for the Ultimate Backyard Cookout

1. Setup

To power your outdoor kitchen, you’ll need to stock up on propane gas for grilling. If you’re expecting lots of guests, have an extra tank on hand just in case. Set up fans and a sunscreen station on your patio so that guests have a spot to cool off and recover from too much sun. Festively colored citronella tiki torches will keep pests away. Place them in strategic locations in your yard and mosquito-repelling candles on your dining tables. If your guests will have pets, set out a dish of water by the hose and keep it refilled.

2. Drinks

If you’ll have kids at the cookout, have plenty of juice boxes and sports drinks, in addition to lots of water and extra ice, to keep them hydrated throughout the day. For adults, have sodas (diet and regular), iced tea, and seltzer on hand, as well a selection of beers and wine coolers. Another possibility? Make pitchers full of icy cool sangria!

3. Food

No cookout is complete without various types of grilled meats—think chicken, pork, hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs, and shrimp. You’ll also need plenty of sides to complement the main course, such as salads, watermelon, and potato salad. Corn-on-the-cob, asparagus, and squash can all be thrown on the grill. For vegetarian guests, have at least one hearty side, such as pasta salad with chickpeas or tofu. You’ll also need plates, silverware, and napkins. 

If you’re gearing up for a backyard cookout in the sun, trust Floodwood Gas & Electric Co Inc to provide propane for your grilling needs. They will deliver propane tanks straight to the door of residents and businesses in the Floodwood, MN, area. Refer a friend and get 25 free gallons of propane. To learn more about propane deliveries, visit their website, or call (218) 476-2249 for around-the-clock service.