So What Are You’re 4th Of July Plans…?

Can you believe how fast this year is flying by? I sure can’t–and now, the 4th of July is staring us in the face!

Fireworks, The 4th of July And Barbecue, It Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This!

So now we’re looking straight down the barrel of summer and one of the biggest barbecue days of the year–the question begs…what cha gonna cook?

Are you planning a party? How many people are you planning on having? Will you attend a Fireworks display?

So here’s the thing, You are now less than a week away and it’s time to start planning for your barbecue.

Better get started Bubba!

So here are some quick tips to help ease your pain and to help your barbecue run a little more smoothly.

First of all, depending on what you’re cooking, you’ll want to reserve your meat.

This time of year you can generally find racks of pork ribs, pork shoulders, briskets and whole chickens or chicken parts at your local grocery store– even up here in the northeast. You can generally find these items year round if you live south of the Mason Dixon Line. You’ll want to make sure they’ll be in stock before you plan your barbecue.

It’s a really good idea to build a relationship with your meat manager or you’re local butcher. I’d head out today and reserve whatever it is you’re planning on cooking. I HIGHLY recommend saving some of your barbecue and dropping it off with your butcher along with you business card or some other contact information.

Don’t be surprised when you get a little extra TLC and maybe even a phone call the next time pork butts are on sale for .99 a pound!

Making With Your Local Butcher Is One Of The Best Ways To Improve Your Barbecue!

You’ll also want to check your barbecue rub and BBQ sauce supply.

If you make your own rubs and sauces I would do it now before all the hustle and bustle of the fourth.

I gave up making my own rubs and sauces a long time ago because I’ve found a few commercially made rubs and sauces I love. It saves so much time and it actually works out to be less expensive then buying all the stuff on your own.

So you’ll want to check your supplies of spices or place your orders now to make sure they arrive in time for the 4th.

Its also not a bad time to pick up your fuel ( hopefully its all natural hardwood lump) and your smoking wood. Go for the chunks of wood and not the chips. The chips just burn way too fast and are a waste of money in my opinion. I usually like to mixture of hickory and some other type of fruit wood.

Choose All Natural Lump Charcoal For Your Barbecue!

You’ll want to check the batteries of your remote thermometers and make sure your lighter has plenty of fluid. It would be a good time to pick up one just in case. You can never have too many lighters.

Also, don’t forget your newspapers so you have something to light your fuel within your chimney starter. I read all my newspapers online nowadays so I rarely have newspaper handy. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone to light my chimney starter only to find I have no newspaper anywhere in the house! argh….

So there you have it. Some handy dandy trick and tips to help your 4th of July Barbecue go smoothly. I’ll be back the rest of the week with more tips on making you’re 4th of July Barbecue go smoothly.

Now go smoke something, Bill Parlaman

P.S. If you have any tips or tricks you’d like to share about planning for a barbecue make sure you post them below in the comments section of this blog…

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