Let’s start this blog off by getting one thing out of the way right out of the gate; no, it is most definitely not too early to start planning your Fourth of July barbecue. Sure, Independence Day is still just a touch over a month away, but whether you’ve made it your goal to go all out and have friends, family, and neighbors over for a huge party in your backyard or you’re more interested in creating a casual and laid back atmosphere for just a few people, now is a great time to start the wheels in motion.

As you probably expected at this point, the team at Mighty Flame Propane Cylinder Exchange is here to provide you with a few tips for how you can make the most of your day. In today’s post, we’ll share some of our trademark grilling tips, tricks, and ideas to ensure that your Fourth of July celebration goes off without a hitch. Keep reading to learn more.

Make the Most of Your July 4 Barbecue

Consider Your Food Pairings

With so much time to plan out your menu, why not take the time to brainstorm a list of possible food choices? No barbecue is complete without the burgers and brats, but this could be your opportunity to try a different take on the classics. Perhaps that means adding a unique topping to your burgers are trying a fancy bun for your bratwursts. Maybe it means grilling all of your side dishes. After all, it doesn’t make much sense to put so much work into the main event and drop the ball as you’re crossing the finish line by serving a boring salad on the side.

How can you do this, you ask? Just try taking the necessary elements of a good barbecue and turning them up a notch. Serve your salad with grilled chicken and a homemade raspberry vinaigrette. Try grilled shrimp as an hors d’oeuvre. The point is simply to experiment by trying something new and the good news is that you have plenty of time to test out any potential recipes that you may find. Just be sure that you consider how well each item on the menu pairs with the other items. Creating a cohesive menu can be exactly what you need to take a great barbecue and make it extraordinary.

Beverages Are Key

Every exceptional barbecue has a variety of drinks to choose from. It’s just a fact of life. As the host of a Fourth of July party, you can ask for your guests to bring their own beverages, of course, but it’s always going to be in your best interest to procure a wide variety of drinks on your own just to make sure all of your bases are covered.

In this day and age, your barbecue absolutely has to have some sparkling water. (Hey, everybody loves a good LaCroix every now and again!) You should also have a few different varieties of sodas in addition to bottled waters and adult beverages for your guests to enjoy. Be sure to pick out a nice selection of different types of beers to be sure that everyone has something that they can enjoy, but know that lagers, IPAs, ales, and other light beers are generally appropriate for the summer. As we mentioned above, don’t hesitate to ask guests to bring their own beverages if there’s specific that they’d like to drink with their meal.

Don’t Forget the Fireworks

Last, but certainly not least, is to remember to enjoy the fireworks! Depending on where you live in the country, purchasing fireworks for yourself might be illegal. It could also be illegal to light off any fireworks in your area, so be sure to check with the local authorities to see what is permitted. If you are able to enjoy fireworks, you should definitely do so! (This is your obligatory reminder to be safe if you are lighting fireworks, friends and neighbors.)

If the city or county launch fireworks in your neck of the woods, be sure to find a location to enjoy said fireworks so you can show your support of the people who are putting on the show. Fireworks are a once-a-year type of thing for many people, so if you’re able, be sure to get your fill on the Fourth of July whether it’s by attending your local fireworks show or even just by lighting snakes and popping poppers in your backyard.

Be Sure You Have Plenty of Propane for the Big Event

For many people all across the country, the Fourth of July is a holiday that they look forward to the most. It’s your opportunity to show your patriotism regardless of where you land on the political spectrum, and wonderfully enough, this year’s holiday takes place on a Wednesday, meaning that quite a few people will be to enjoy a day off in the middle of the week and possibly even a late start the following Thursday.

Of course our recommendation is to make sure that you have enough propane early on. Although the actual holiday is still just over a month away, why not find a propane tank exchange location near you today? We’re not saying that you have to run out and grab one right now (although chances are that you have one close enough that it might not be a bad idea), but either way, it’s good to know where to go when you need to buy a propane tank.

Be sure to stay tuned for more Fourth of July-related blogs in the near future because we’ll continue to bring readers everything from grilling tips and tricks to easy grill recipes to general ideas about how you can take your grilling experience and your Fourth of July party to the next level. At Mighty Flame Propane Cylinder Exchange, we love sharing our knowledge with fellow grilling enthusiasts, so be sure to keep your eyes on this space for more great info. Until next time!