Yop yop, it’s coming up on the busiest grill day of the year. Some of us have been at it for mumfs already and probably won’t gain much from this post. However, if this isn’t you and you’re considering inviting friends over for an afternoon of merry & meat, it’s time to start getting ready, foo.

See the above? This is what all your guests are looking forward to. Aim high, brother … or sister.
Think about it, how many times have you been invited to a “que” and been told not to bring anything. “We got it all!” is what you’re told. Man, you got tater salad, pickles, chicken, burgers, designer dogs, simmering beans & cold beverages dancing in your noggin. Relaxing, hanging out and getting a buzz on while watching your ever swelling belly grow is a generous slice of heaven.
And then?

You show up, the host hands you a bag of Matchlight and points you towards The Grill Area?
You laugh (inside) and then cry (inside). All of you have seen this at least once in your life. How many of you have returned the following year? None, that’s right. Why? Because you sUuUUuck. that’s why. This year is going to be different, you’re going to get ready days before. This year you will not suck.

Your outdoor kitchen needs to be completely gone through and made right. It’s easiest if you remove all the grills, smokers, tables, chairs & gas ranges. Pull those weeds, get the trash out and sweep up the bits. Then hose it down really well, make it nice!
Clean the ash out of the grill & smoker. Take inventory of your equipment. Are they ready for action or replacement?

If your gloves & grill brush look like this? It’s time for new freshy fresh action. These are leather gardening gloves with cloth uppers. I really suggest you get leather gloves that don’t have cloth on the top, cloth burns. You burns, and it hurts. I know. Don’t buy a fancy grill brush, the cheap old plastic ones do just fine. They don’t last long enough to spend a lot.

Have in place a safe container for hot ash to be dumped, such as this old steel tub.
Make a quick inventory of your charcoal & smoking wood. If you need to replenish, consider getting a little more than you need, just in case.

If you’re thinking enough in advance, sure you can soak them overnight. I rarely do, too much to deal with. After this is all done, put the kitchen to use. Make a meal a day or two before your party. This way, when the day hits you’re in your crease and ready to roll. If anything is missing or needs attention, you can take care of it then and not during your party. This is a good thing.
Have I missed a few things? Probably, but you get the idea. Get your ducks all in a row before it’s party time and you’ll be thankful you did.
Biggles
Bonus Nugget:

Keep in mind, if you drag something from your home’s kitchen and use it in the smoker or grill, rarely can it be brought back for use indoors. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, next day you can go shopping for new!