CLAY This week we’re stepping out of the lab to offer a tribute to the humble backyard barbecue. I’m Daddy Clay.

BRAD And I’m Daddy Brad. This week is brought to you by One step Ahead. Great baby gear every step of the way. One Step Ahead.

CLAY You know Daddy Brad, I can safely say that some of the most contented moments I have had in my ten years of fatherhood have been associated with simple backyard cookouts.

BRAD Not some big production. Semi impromptu. A few burgers, cold drinks, small crowd of friends, something to distract the kids. Done. Daddy Nirvana.

CLAY Exactly, you turn it into some big production and it can become “entertaining.” If you don’t have
time to regularly have a backyard barbecue. You’re messed up.

BRAD Let’s take a look at the basic ingredients.

CLAY To me the key to a good cookout is that it not be too kid-centric. I want to WATCH them be cute and have fun, while having a beverage. Playscape is good, but familiar. Without going overboard spice it up. Just a sprinkler might be enough.

CLAY Gift from sister-in-law. Awesome. Inflatables from One Step Ahead. And you’re done.

BRAD The classics just work. Maybe throw a fancy sausage in there to spice things up. You can get fancy, but why?

CLAY Same with the drinks. Juiceboxes for kids. From grownups I try to put out both beer and wine. I know some people feel uncomfortable drinking around the kids, but they’re not invited. I go with one light, one dark import. Costco does these mixed Modelo cases, perfect. And some cheap ass American light crap for Brad. Wine, cheap and plentiful Australian chard. I’m not afraid of the pink stuff if it’s quality. And a red, throw it in the cooler with the rest if it’s hot out. You could haul out the mixer, but that’s a pain in the ass. Who you trying to impress?

BRAD A few friends. This is an example. You don’t want too many of these assholes. A few couples and kids. We think more than four couples and it’s a big production. So I’m out here in the yard, and the sun is going down, music is on, meat’s on the grill, smells good, and my youngest walks over and asks to be picked up, and I’m right there. I’m a ten.

BRAD The key is low key. If it gets too big or fancy, then it’s pressure and you won’t do it. And you should. If you don’t have time to have a cookout, every other week, all summer long, something is wrong with your deal.

CLAY Let’s talk cookouts. Head on over to dadlabs.com And click on community. We want to hear about your ideal cookout. What goes on the grill, what goes in the cooler. What keeps the kids busy in the yard. Funny cookout nightmares. I wanna hear from you beer geeks about the best burger brew.

BRAD Gas or charcoal. How to keep the bugs away. We want to hear all about it. We want to hear from all you lurkers out there that watch, but don’t comment.

CLAY And on the new community, you can upload picture of you and the kids at your next cookout. You can even make and upload your own dadlabs video with all your secrets for a successful barbecue.

BRAD Let’s get that conversation going. See you back on the site.

CLAY That’s all for us this week, here in the lab. You’re overcooking that.

BRAD You want to do it?

CLAY It is my grill...