Summer Entertaining: 12 Essential Kitchen and Outdoor Tools for Hosting

Host Summer Parties Without the Stress

Summer entertaining should be fun, not a frantic kitchen marathon. The right tools let you prep ahead, cook outside, and actually enjoy your own party.

Here are the 12 tools that make summer hosting effortless.

For the Grill

1. Wireless Meat Thermometer

A wireless thermometer lets you monitor meat from your phone while you're with guests. No more hovering over the grill — get an alert when it's done.

2. Large Cast Iron Griddle

A Lodge cast iron griddle ($25) sits on your grill grate and gives you a flat-top for smash burgers, grilled onions, and fajitas for a crowd. Cooks 8 burgers at once.

3. Chimney Starter

A chimney starter ($15) lights charcoal in 15 minutes without lighter fluid. Your food won't taste like chemicals.

For Drinks

4. Rolling Cooler

A rolling cooler keeps drinks cold right next to the action. Guests serve themselves — you don't play bartender all night.

5. Glass Drink Dispenser

A glass beverage dispenser ($20-30) with pre-made lemonade, sangria, or infused water is the most low-effort high-impact hosting move.

6. Nugget Ice Maker

If you have one, a countertop ice maker running during the party is a crowd-pleaser. Sonic-style nugget ice makes every drink taste better.

For Prep and Serving

7. Large Cutting Board

An extra-large cutting board ($30-40) doubles as a charcuterie and fruit display board. Prep on it before the party, serve on it during.

8. Produce Storage Containers

OXO GreenSaver containers keep fruit and veggie platters fresh for hours. Prep the night before, pull out when guests arrive.

9. Stainless Steel Serving Trays

Stainless serving trays won't break if dropped on the patio, don't absorb heat in the sun, and clean in seconds.

For Frozen Treats

10. Popsicle Molds

Silicone popsicle molds ($10-15) let you make boozy popsicles (adults) and fruit pops (kids) the day before. The easiest crowd-pleasing dessert possible.

11. Ice Cream Scoop

A solid ice cream scoop with a comfortable handle sounds basic — but when you're scooping 20 servings, a good one matters.

For Ambiance

12. Outdoor String Lights

LED string lights ($15-25) transform any backyard into an inviting party space. Hang them once at the start of summer, leave them up until September.

The Summer Hosting Checklist

Day before:

Prep fruit/veggie platters in produce containers
Make popsicles or frozen treats
Batch a drink (sangria, lemonade, punch) for the dispenser
Season and bag grill proteins

Day of:

Set up cooler with ice and drinks
Light charcoal in chimney starter 30 min before cooking
Set out the cutting board charcuterie display
Turn on string lights at sunset

During the party:

Monitor grill with wireless thermometer from your phone
Let guests serve themselves from cooler and drink dispenser
Enjoy your own party