by Annette Lee

Created on: September 19, 2009   Last Updated: September 24, 2009

There couldn't be a more All-American event than the outdoor grilling party, but without proper planning, it can be the biggest disaster in your own backyard. Here are a few tips for a successful al fresco event.

Get an early start on things.

It's a barbecue grill, not a microwave. In this world of instant gratification, we often forget that good things take time. Start preparing the menu and shop the day before so you are ready to go. This will prevent surprises the day of your party - such as a sudden shortage of hamburger or a supermarket strike. Get your priorities straight.

Most party-givers will lean towards chilling the beer first, but your first responsibility is to the grill and getting it ready. When was the last time you grilled? Is the barbecue home to Charlotte and her web? Out of propane? Out of charcoal? Does the barbecue still have charred remnants of gyro kabobs from last summer? Make sure the star of the party, your grill, is ready for the party. Incidentally, beverages (such as beer), take less than 10 minutes to chill adequately if you add a gallon or two of water your tub or cooler full of ice. The cold water flowing around the bottles and cans chills them almost immediately, so no need to worry about the drinks. Get the grill going BEFORE your guests arrive.

Give yourself an hour to dust off old Betsy and clean off the grate even if you're using propane. If you're using charcoal, you'll need even more time. A chimney of charcoal takes at least half an hour to light and ash over before it's ready for cooking, but give yourself an extra half hour if you're a little rusty at building a fire.

Clean the grill.

Heard that food tastes better off a well-seasoned grill? Unless you want to serve your guests hot dog and hamburger-shaped charcoal, it's best to clean it. A dirty grill doesn't make anything tastier - just more burnt. The easiest way to clean your grill is to let the heat take care of it. For charcoal, cover the barbecue with its lid after the coals begin to glow red. For propane, close the lid and turn it up to high for a few minutes. Uncover and scrape the grate with a spatula and follow with the tough metal bristles of a grill brush until the chrome sparkles. Brush with a little oil on the clean grate and you're ready to cook. Have lots of good food.

Choose good meats and give your guests a little variety. Don't stick to just frozen pre-made hamburgers and packaged hotdogs. Branch out and explore ribs, chicken wings, whole rainbow

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