If you’re looking to host the perfect alfresco entertaining experience or cook up a feast for the family, the Aussie summer is the perfect time to host your next outdoor celebration!

To ensure your next outdoor event is a guaranteed success, the experts at Bing Lee have got you covered with their top 4 outdoor entertaining tips and the best barbecue’s that will help you create the perfect atmosphere for your summer celebration.

1. SORT OUT YOUR CENTERPIECE: THE BARBECUE

Where better to start than with the essential piece that brings it all together. Depending on how much food you want to serve, and how much space your area has will determine which barbecue is the right choice for you. Popular brands of BBQ include Everdure and Beefeater, but with so many types of BBQ available here’s a quick rundown of what you need to know:

Freestanding Gas BBQs: One of the most popular barbies out there, freestanding BBQs are often the go-to choice. You can park them straight in the backyard, with no installation required and they offer plenty of space for a big cook up.

Built-in Gas BBQs: Offering the potential for a seamlessly integrated look, built-in BBQs are literally built-into an alfresco benchtop and offer large cooking surfaces perfect for big events. They are an ideal choice if you’re looking to build a complete outdoor entertaining area and want something to fit stylishly into your grand design.

Portable BBQs: Commonly a down-sized version of a free-standing BBQ, Portable BBQs are a great option when space is at a premium. Light-weight and easily moved into position, they are a compact alternative that’s just right for limited spaces such as apartment balconies.

Electric BBQs: An extremely convenient BBQ solution, these products range from the ultra-portable for taking on the road and camping, to those that are suitable to be used on apartment balconies. Running off a power source (240v wall socket), they are a good option particularly when it simply isn’t safe or practical to have a gas-canister present (such as small balconies).

Sizing things up

• 2-3 burner BBQ: excellent for an average sized family of 2-4 and will also serve small-to-medium sized entertaining as well.

• 4 burner BBQ: gives the user considerable space to work with – including the flexibility to employ two different cooking styles simultaneously. Perfect choice for large families or if you’re entertaining a crowd.

• 6 burner BBQ: a great choice if you’re regularly throwing grand events – but make sure you have the space for it over the long haul.

2. KEEP THE DRINKS COOL

Now that you’ve got your cooking sorted it’s time to consider your drinks. Installing a bar fridge in your outdoor area will enable you to keep a ready supply of chilled drinks available for guests and also allow you to keep prepped-meat cool and ready for the BBQ. Bar fridges are also a great alternative to your ice bucket full of drinks that is often fast reduced to a puddle of water on a warm summer’s day. Brands like Husky have products primed for the great outdoors, so look out for heavy-duty features including 304 grade stainless steel and double-glazed glass.If you’re short on space or looking for a quick fix, a well-insulated esky could be a great alternative.

3. PUT YOUR GUESTS FIRST

Once you’ve accounted for the fundamentals of food and drink, ensuring your guests are comfortable especially in the heat of summer is of vital importance! First, make sure your guests have access to some shade. This might mean something as simple as a shade cloth or an outdoor umbrella for those looking for a quick fix.

Alternatively, investing in something more permanent like a patio cover might be something to consider if you’re looking to renovate or revamp your outdoor entertaining space for future events.

Providing some outdoor furniture and seating options is also important. Bring a couple of chairs from inside out for the day, or why not lay down a couple of picnic rugs on the lawn to encourage your guests to get comfortable.

4. GET THE GOOD VIBES FLOWING!

You can’t put your finger on it, but no good party is complete without it … a great vibe! To boost that summer vibe give your next event the energy it needs, something as simple as outdoor lighting can make a huge difference to the vibe of your next party. It’s the perfect way to show off the backyard in all its finery (and make sure guests can see what they’re eating). If you want to kick things up a notch and provide an amazing soundtrack to the night, why not consider installing some outdoor speakers? If you don’t have the space or budget for the full setup, you can also find a great range of high-performance portable speakers that match weather-proofing with amazing sound from brands including Ultimate Ears and JBL. With wireless options also available, you can pump the sounds into your alfresco areas without any need for complicated wiring.

What kind of barbecue do you have at home? Tell us in the comments below.