How to Host the Perfect Clambake

Looking for a way to bring a laid-back, beachy vibe to your next cookout? Why not host a clambake? No need to dig a pit or gather seaweed — you can get great results in your backyard on your gas or charcoal grill using a few roasting pans.

Click here for the How to Host the Perfect Clambake (Slideshow)

The key to hosting a clambake is to keep the atmosphere casual. Gather up a few bright and colorful paper goods (like nautical-themed paper plates and cups) so you don’t have to wash dishes, set some beers out in buckets of ice, and make a pitcher of refreshing lemonade. Then, grab your basic tools — like a communal bowl or bucket to gather the shells — and some moist towelettes. If you want to take a few extra steps, try covering your picnic table with either a red-and-white-checkered or a bold, striped tablecloth and stringing up a few outdoor lights that you can use when the sun starts to set.

Then invite your friends and family, pour a few drinks, and start cooking! Need a recipe? Click here to learn how to cook a backyard clambake on your grill.

Get a Large Roasting Pan — Or Two

If you have a large metal roasting pan, feel free to use it, but disposable aluminum roasting pans will work as well. Just make sure the roasting pan — or pans — will fit on your grill.

Prepare Your Grill

You’ll need two different cooking zones on your grill if you’re planning a clambake — direct heat and indirect heat. If you have a charcoal grill, simply pile all the coals on one side of the grill. If you have a gas grill, leave one burner unlit to create an indirect zone.

Kristie Collado is The Daily Meal’s Cook Editor. Follow her on Twitter @KColladoCook.