I have seriously overstretched with a barbecue and I am panicking.

[Theresip]

I decided to have a barbecue next weekend because I’ve got my garden looking the way I want it and I do enjoy hosting. I’ve been inviting people for the last couple of weeks or so. I thought I’d invited around 10 people but I haven’t. I’ve invited almost 20. I’ve only just counted them up and now I am seriously panicking.

I’m not a particularly good cook, never mind on a barbecue. How on earth can I do 20 burgers and sausages and time it so people aren’t sitting starving? It’s a charcoal barbecue so putting more charcoal on after one batch would mean some people waiting another 40 minutes whilst the coals cook and I cook again?? What can I do?

And also, my garden isn’t tiny, but it’s not particularly big. I have a garden sofa and stools that could fit around six people near the kitchen door, and then on the upper decking I’ve got a high dining table that would seat another six. I do have additional small stools but they’re too little for the high table and it would be very squashed round the other table because it’s right in front of the kitchen where everyone will be getting their drinks.

Any advice gratefully received. I have never hosted for this number.

I would seek some help, genuinely.

Ah, you'll be fine. Cook what you can in advance, supply lots of nibbles and alcohol . Fingers crossed for nice weather 🌞

Hey OP, I was just wondering if you have a contingency plan for heavy rain. It's been pretty dry here but we keep getting these sudden heavy downpours. Have you got enough room to allow people to hang out in the kitchen for a bit until things dry up? I only ask because last year my best friend's BBQ was washed out - at one point I hurriedly put a paper plate over my head to try and protect my hair, forgot I already had food on it, and ended up with tzatsiki and potato salad all over my head 😅😅
P.S. Have you got room for one more? No kids, loads of food and alcohol sounds bloody amazing 🤣

Currently forecast lightening so fingers crossed that changes!

I’ve got a gazebo which I’ll put up if there’s rain forecast on the day, and a big shade which rolls out from the patio doors covering the sofa area, so it should be okay. The kitchen is small but people can sit in the sitting room if they prefer.

Before we went on holidays, we did this to ourselves too! But a Chinese friend advised us to buy this on amazon and it seriously saved us! All the food cooked to perfection, no coal stink either on us, could cook lots all at once as well as splitting veg and meat on both ends. Since then all our friends from that bbq bought it too and they have been taking turns hosting using it. We did do a sharing tray with dips and other starters too as well as a salad.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B095GV7YQK?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2

Agree with this - just start them in the oven and finish them off over the coals. Also, a barbecued hot dog is bloody lovely. 😊

What am I seeking help with? 😂 Hosting a barbecue? That is what I’ve done - posted to ask for help with a barbecue.

Ooo I’ll have a look at that! Thank you.

I think I will just cook all the burgers on the barbecue. I think it seems like more work to do them in the oven first.

Agree about the hot dogs. I first had them around a campfire looking at the northern lights in Finland and they tasted amazing. My garden with its B&M solar lighting may not offer the same vibes though.

I would ask a male guest who loves bbq -ing to plan it and do it. men love this stuff (sorry sexist but true)

Woah, I just read the whole thread. BONKERS!!. Whatever are you thinking... Having a BBQ without a MAN in charge???. Very avant- garde.

Do the first batch of burgers under the grill in the kitchen to be ready at the start, second batch on the BBQ.
Ask people to bring a garden/ camping chair if they have one.

The men invited are not the type who would want to take over the barbecue, and nor would I let them.

I have always been a trailblazer. I am planning to visit a pub and sit in the bar one day.

I would cook some burgers and some sausages beforehand and cover in foil to stay warm. Cut some buns up. Get some coleslaw and potato salad plus a huge bowl of salad. Serve all of that buffet style with drinks and you are sorted.

This happened to me -Do loads of pre pepped rice and potato salad, fresh green salad, cold chicken pre bought pieces, quiche or pizzas then keep chucking sausages on the barbi... some random bloke will prob take over that.. they love it!

I’d get a friend or dp that like bbquing to do so some sausages maybe some burgers but I’d honestly do everything else before. I hate bbqs for alot of people .. too much hassle for me. Could you do a big piece of beef in the oven served with horseradish? Some chicken drumsticks in breadcrumbs? Maybe a whole salmon if not too expensive? Served cold with mayonnaise Lots of dips , nibbles etc baps for the beef / salmon etc . Salads like Potato salade , couscous salad, tomato with mozza or greek feta salad. Paper napkins paper plates make it easier. Individuel ice creams maybe some grapes with cheese for dessert oh yeah and quiche.. dead easy to make the day before

I did a bbq for around 25 teens a few weeks ago - we have a large Weber bbq and it still wouldn’t have been anywhere near big enough for all the meat (and veggie versions). So I did the burgers on the bbq, but the sausages and bbq chicken drumsticks I put into the oven to cook and just popped them onto the bbq for 5 mins once they were cooked to give them that nice taste. I also put out giant bowls of crisps, veg crudités and did a cous cous salad as well as green salad.

Marshmallows for pudding around the fire pit.

put blankets out on grass and people will form
little eating groups.

Pulled pork is a great idea very easy to do

This really has turned into a "return the cheque" thread (for anyone who remembers that!).

Why don't you get a man to do it for you OP? 😂

Sorry, but not not dogs for a BBQ. It's not really BBQ food.

Light the bbq and while you wait for the coals to go white and the bbq is ready to cook on par cook the burgers and sausages in the oven so they just need browning off on the bbq. But you need to be super organised with coleslaw, potato salad etc ready the day before and in the fridge plus fresh salad already washed and prepared, burger buns buttered etc everything possible already done ie glasses out, cutlery/napkins prepared. You will be golden and everyone will have a good time. Watch the kiddos for taking burgers etc, having one bite and then casting aside for another. That way you soon run out of food