With the British weather finally getting nice, there’s nothing better than firing up the barbecue and bringing people together over great food. Whether you’re hosting a garden party, a street food style event, or a relaxed weekend cookout, having the right equipment makes all the difference.
In this guide, we’ll cover the absolute essentials for hosting a killer barbecue with recommendations from our on-site products. With this knowledge in mind, you’ll be able to throw an unforgettable barbecue.
1: A High Quality Grill
A high quality grill is a one-way ticket to a brilliant BBQ. Investing in a durable, high-performance barbecue ensures consistent cooking, better flavour, and an easier overall experience.
The Buffalo Ceramic Kamado BBQ Grill XL is the perfect choice for smaller events, such as a family get-together, or another event where you aren’t cooking huge amounts of food. Its ceramic design provides all-round heat retention, making it able to efficiently cook for extended periods of time; and its fold-out shelves make it ideal for holding utensils and soon-to-be-cooked food.
If you’re looking for something more industrial (for a large outdoor event) you might want to consider the Cinders Slimfold BBQ Grill. This design is much more spacious than the previously mentioned grill, so you can cook large volumes of food with ease. This BBQ is propane fuelled, built from stainless steel and uses a battery powered ignition system so you can get started at the click of a button.
Both models are perfect for different situations, but knowing how many people you’re going to be cooking for helps you choose the perfect barbecue.
View our full BBQ range.
2: Professional Cooking Equipment & Utensils
Finding the right grill is a good start, but having the right tools at your disposal helps you cook with precision and confidence.
The essentials include:
-
Chef-grade knives for prepping, such as the Wusthof Chef Knife
-
Durable cookware
-
Heat-resistant utensils for grilling, like the Westmark Separating Chefs Tongs which are tongs that can separate into spatulas!
These tools are designed for professional kitchens, so they're guaranteed to last and perform under pressure.
3: Storage and Cooling
What's a good barbecue without easy-to-access chilled beverages?
The warm weather means you need to keep ingredients and drinks cold.
A good beer fridge such as the Arctica Bar & Display Bottle Cooler is guaranteed to keep drinks cool, whilst providing a professional look to your display. This cooler is more suited towards larger catering events, where you need a standalone unit that holds many drinks.
For a smaller family-oriented party, storing your drinks inside a pre-existing refrigerator or a handheld cooler is ideal.
If you’re looking for a new refrigerator, look no further than our refrigerator guide!
4: Serving and Presentation
A great BBQ isn't just about taste, it's about presentation too.
Think:
-
Disposable cups and containers for convenience (if the BBQ is more casual)
-
Durable glassware for a premium feel
-
Serving trays and food containers
Catering-grade supplies make it easy to serve large groups of people efficiently while keeping things stylish and practical.
5: Cleaning and Hygiene Supplies
One of the most overlooked yet important things is saying hygienic, especially if you are cooking for many guests.
You should look for:
-
Heavy-duty cleaning solutions
-
Paper towels and wipes
-
Grease management products
Maintaining hygiene ensures food safety and keeps your BBQ running smoothly throughout the day.
To have a killer BBQ, you don’t need the flashiest or most expensive equipment. It takes the right combination of reliable equipment, smart prep, and efficient serving tools.
At JD Catering, we supply all of the items you need, from the BBQ itself down to the smallest utensil.