What to buy for an open-fire barbecue
An open-fire barbecue needs more than meat and charcoal. You will need fuel that lasts, food that can be prepared safely, and enough serving equipment for guests to eat away from the fire. This shopping list covers the practical essentials, from grill grates and thermometers to coolers, ice packs, reusable tableware and waste bins. Check dietary requirements before shopping and buy the items that take longest to arrange first, especially the barbecue, fuel and shelter.
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Party tentqty 2
- Foldable tablesqty 6
- Folding chairsqty 36
- Buffet tablesqty 2
- Coolersqty 4
Tableware
- Reusable platesqty 40
- Reusable bowlsqty 40
- Reusable glassesqty 50
- Coffee cupsqty 30
- Cutlery setsqty 40
- Serving plattersqty 8
- Serving tongsqty 6
Equipment
- Open-fire barbecue
- Cast-iron grill gratesqty 2
- Barbecue tongsqty 4
- Barbecue brushesqty 2
- Meat thermometersqty 2
- Thermos flasksqty 3
- Kettlesqty 2
Kitchen
- Cutting boardsqty 4
- Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 4
- Mixing bowlsqty 4
- Aluminum traysqty 12
- Kitchen pegsqty 4
- Ice packsqty 12
Lighting
- String lightsqty 4
- Battery lanternsqty 4
Decorations
- Tableclothsqty 6
- Napkin holdersqty 6
Cleaning
- Waste binsqty 4
- Bucketsqty 3
- Fire extinguisher
- Heat-resistant glovesqty 3
- Asbestos-resistant metal shovel
- Metal water bowlqty 2
Catering
- Groceries
- Hamburgers - 36 pieces
- Chicken thigh fillet - 3 kilograms
- Chipolata sausages - 3 kilograms
- Beef skewers - 2 kilograms
- Vegetarian burgers - 12 pieces
- Vegetarian sausages - 12 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 40 pieces
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Garlic butter - 500 grams
- Potatoes - 5 kilograms
- Corn cobs - 30 pieces
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Zucchinis - 6 pieces
- Mushrooms - 1,5 kilogram
- Red onions - 8 pieces
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Feta cheese - 750 grams
- Pasta salad - 3 kilograms
- Potato salad - 3 kilogram
- Hummus - 1 kilogram
- Mayonnaise - 1 liter
- Ketchup - 1 liter
- Garlic sauce - 1 liter
- Barbecue sauce - 1 liter
- Mustard - 500 milliliter
- Olive oil - 1 liter
- Salt - 250 grams
- Black pepper - 100 grams
- Paprika powder - 100 grams
- Garlic powder - 100 grams
- Fresh garlic - 4 bulbs
- Lemons - 10 pieces
- Chili flakes - 50 grams
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Peanuts - 1 kilogram
- Water - 24 liters
- Sparkling water - 12 liter
- Cola - 8 liters
- Coca-Cola Zero - 8 liters
- Sinas - 6 liters
- Beer - 96 cans
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 1 box
- Milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 500 grams
- Ice cubes - 10 kilograms
- Dessert fruit - 3 kilograms
- Marshmallows - 1 kilogram
- Wooden marshmallow skewers - 40 pieces
- Dishwasher tablets - 20 pieces
- Dish soap - 1 bottle
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Garbage bags - 30 pieces
Tips
- Plan around 250–350 g of raw meat, fish or vegetables per adult, then add side dishes such as salads, bread and sauces. Increase the amount by about 15% if the barbecue is the main meal.
- Buy enough wood and charcoal for the full cooking period, plus an extra 25% reserve. Fuel burns faster when the fire is used for both heat and cooking, and finding more on the day can be difficult.
- Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then about one drink per hour. Chill drinks in coolers with ice packs before guests arrive; a household refrigerator is rarely large enough for a group.
- Prepare at least one meat thermometer, separate barbecue tongs and clean serving platters. Keep cooked food on fresh platters rather than reusing plates or tools that touched raw meat.
- Set aside a clear, fenced-off barbecue area and place water or suitable fire-safety equipment within a few steps of the fire. Put waste bins near the buffet so disposable packaging and used napkins do not collect around the cooking area.
Frequently asked questions
- How much food do I need for an open-fire barbecue?
- Allow 250–350 g of raw meat, fish or vegetables per adult when the barbecue is the main meal. Add bread, salads and sauces, and plan about 15% extra for a long gathering or guests with larger appetites.
- How much charcoal and wood should I buy for an open-fire barbecue?
- Buy enough for the expected cooking time and keep a 25% reserve. Start checking your fuel supply at least 2–3 days before the barbecue, because extra wood or charcoal may not be available at short notice.
- How many drinks should I buy per guest?
- Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, followed by one drink per person per hour. Add extra water, especially in warm weather, and chill everything in coolers with ice packs before guests arrive.
- What equipment is easy to forget for an open-fire barbecue?
- The commonly missed items are meat thermometers, spare grill grates, serving tongs, clean platters, ice packs and fire-safety equipment. Check these at least one day before the event, rather than when the fire is already lit.
Plans a lot like this one
Start this plan in Lizzt
Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.
Organize this event for free with LizztOrganize for free and invite your contacts!