Check out our round-up of tasty sauces and great gadgets for grill season!
Grow and Make DIY Kits – Make Your Own BBQ Sauce
Grow and Make sells a variety of DIY kits for everyone: Hot sauce Kit, Garden Kit, Mixologist Kits, Soap Kits, Lotion Kits and more! We sampled the DIY BBQ Sauce and loved it. This is a great activity for a couples date night, a family night, or a cozy autumn evening. As tried-and-true Kansas City BBQ lovers, we enjoyed experimenting with flavors. Each kit comes with everything you need and is accessible to all skill levels of cooking and crafting. Simple instructions make this kit fun and easy for everyone interested in showing off their own exceptional BBQ sauce. Just add tomato paste, oil, and our kit ingredients to make three flavor-packed tomato or mustard-based homemade barbecue sauce recipes. Contains all the grilling spices and seasonings to give your barbecue dishes unique flavor, like cayenne, turmeric, garlic, and liquid smoke. Available at growandmake.com
*NEW* The IcyBreeze Ultimate Cooler
This may be our new favorite thing! I have never been a fan of summer heat, but have always been a fan of camping, boating, and outdoor family fun. Enter the IcyBreeze Ultimate Cooler! This is one of this summer’s must-have parent products for hot summer days. The newly launched innovative 3-in-1 cooling system combines a traditional icebox with portable AC and a misting function, making it the perfect companion for days at the park, in the boat, or even the backyard. This cooler can hold up to 48 cans, and the air conditioner feature brings 2.5+ hours of continuous cold air or 3+ hour misting function. It is safe for use inside a tent, on a boat, or outdoors at an event or even your own backyard. The rotomolded construction with all-terrain wheels and a metal grab handle for easy transportation. This is truly the ultimate cooler. Watch this video learn how it works. Available at The IcyBreeze Ultimate Cooler.
Olivette Organic Charcoal Briquettes
Olivette Organic Charcoal Briquettes are your essential companion for hosting the perfect 4th of July BBQ and enjoying healthy, flavorful meals. Crafted from recycled olive tree byproducts, this cooking charcoal ensures a clean, smoke-free grilling experience that preserves the natural taste of your food. Embrace the essence of Mediterranean-inspired cooking and sustainable living with Olivette, the first USDA organic-certified charcoal available in the American market. Available at www.Olivette.ma.
Dave's Gourmet Hot Sauce
From mild to insanely hot, Dave's Gourmet Hot Sauce will add some heat to your grilled foods! Their wide selection of pepper sauces makes a great complement to barbecue, burgers, chicken wings, veggies, and more. All products are gluten-free, including the iconic Dave's Insanity Sauce-- the original "hottest hot sauce in the universe," Ghost Pepper Hot Sauce, Scorpion Hot Sauce, Carolina Reaper Hot Sauce, Hurtin Habanero Hot Sauce, and NEW Masala Madness Hot Sauce and Sir-Ouch-A Hot Sauce. Dave’s Gourmet also offers a line of premium creamy hot sauces with a medium heat level and an incredible savory flavor that are vegan and gluten-free. Perfect for grilling sauces! The line currently consists of four flavors: Creamy Habanero, Garlic Red Pepper, Roasted Jalapeno, and Creamy Asian Hot Sauce. Bottled in the USA. Available on www.davesgourmet.com, Amazon, and Walmart.com.
Cribsi : Elemental 10 oz Insulated Wine Tumbler
If you want to enjoy a nice glass of wine without the worry of glass (in the backyard, camping, our at a picnic), Cribsi has the perfect solution. Enjoy your favorite wine in style with Cribsi's wine tumbler featuring double-wall construction with a copper lining. Keep your wine at the perfect temperature without condensation. This is also perfect for hot drinks. The tumbler keeps your beverages hot up to 3 hours or cold up to 9 hours. With a no-slip bottom, textured grip for firm hold, and BPA-free, food-grade material this is an outdoor favorite. Available at Cribsi.com
Tannenbaum’s Hot Sauce
For the adventurous foodie or the grill master, Tannenbaum's Hot Sauces are a great gift. They offer a variety of sweet & saucy hot sauce combinations made with fruit, herbs, spices, habaneros, and more! All sauces are gluten-free and vegan, and all flavors pack a punch! Try them when grilling meats or even as an ice cream topping. Try five distinct flavor combinations: Red Pepper, Lemon Peel & Smoke Paprika, Pineapple, Rosemary & Turmeric, Blueberry, Sumac & Cinnamon, Strawberry, Mint & Basil, and Cranberry, Orange Peel & Allspice. Available at tannenbaumfoods.com
Terra Delyssa - Organic Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil Set
I love to experiment with new flavors in the kitchen. Terra Delyssa's Olive Oil Set is a great gift for parents and teachers. These organic, infused olive oils add flavor to any dish! Assortment includes Chili, Rosemary, Lemon, and Garlic infused oils. I love the lemon-infused oil on baguettes and my husband is partial to the garlic. Ideas include dipping bread, brushing on fish and meats, roasting vegetables, enhancing the dullness of leftovers, and as an ingredient in salad dressing and marinades. Available on Amazon.
Compostable Papergoods
We all love the convenience of single use products, but considering the impact plastic has on our world, we need to make it Matter! Small lifestyle changes can make a big difference in helping the environment. Converting to compostable single-use products means setting and keeping our sustainable goals achievable. It’s a great way to feel good about the positive choices we make daily. Matter’s single-use products are made from plants and natural fibers, so you’re using items made from nature that will return to nature. If certified for home composting, your backyard compost pile or bin is perfect for putting Matter items. Available on Amazon
Colsen Fire Pit
Colsen Fire Pits We love this mini tabletop firepit. This small, portable firepit has been great to take on trips to the lake or enjoy in our backyard. Experience the instant ambiance of a real fire with Colsen Fire Pits and leave the smoke and clean up behind. The eco-friendly fire pits are easy to light and extinguish. Simply use rubbing alcohol to get that fire going! Just be sure to have proper ventilation. Made from temperature-resistant concrete for an enhanced, safe, smokeless, and odor-free experience. The modern, portable designs go with today’s decor and offer an easy way to stage an inviting atmosphere for quiet moments alone or while celebrating with loved ones. Also available on Amazon.
Punchkins
Punchkins offers the ultimate collection of punny plushies that are guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. With their witty punchlines, adorable expressions, and cute dangly legs, these compact-sized plushies with weighted bottoms to sit nicely are perfect for any desk, bookshelf, or bed and some of the favorites, have a fun backyard grill theme! Punchkins offers over 100 relatable plushies each with a punny punchline and a perfectly matched expression. Family favorites include their two kid-friendly lines: Bag Charms and Just Kiddins, designed to make kids groan at Dad jokes. Each Punchkin is made with high-quality fabrics and felts are used to create these soft and cuddly plushies. Available at punchkins.com, Kohl's, Amazon, and Claire's.
Rumpl Everywhere Mat
The Everywhere Mat from Rumpl is waterproof on the bottom and soft on the top. Its stainproof design makes cleaning easy, especially for outdoor picnics or sitting sideline at sporting events. Plus, little ones can roll around freely without parents worrying about grass stains. Available at Rumpl Everywhere Mat .
Rumpl Beer Blanket
Cold beverages stay cold with the Rumpl beer blanket. Grab a cold can from your cooler and pop it in a Rumpl Beer blanket. Made of 100% recycled materials, this blanket fits most standard 12oz and 16oz cans, it's water-resistant, and the insulation to keep drinks cold and fingers warm. Available at Rumpl Beer Blanket.
Fab Slabs Cutting Board
My husband loves to grill and kabobs are a summer grilling favorite. When prepping the perfect summer kabob, Fab Slabs' antibacterial cutting boa, individually handcrafted from Camphor Laurelwood in Australia, are the perfect tool. The natural and permanent antibacterial material will not blunt knives and offer zero bacteria growth for 7 - 10 years! The boards are beautiful making them perfect for serving food too. FabSlabsUSA.com
Cribsi's Charcuterie/Cheese Board with Knife
Our family LOVES game night (and game afternoon for that matter). We're known for hosting friends for games OFTEN, and charcuterie (from Aldi and/or Trader Joe's) is one of our favorite game snacks. Elevate game night when you serve food on Cribsi's beautifully designed charcuterie/cheese board featuring end-grain wood and an acacia wood spreader/knife. The knife fits conveniently in grooves between the two sections. Turn it upside down for the perfect cut. The classic design focuses on the natural element of the wood. Made from environmentally friendly Acacia wood. Cleans up easily by wiping with a damp cloth. Learn more at www.cribsi.com.
Kubo Tea - Lion’s Mane Chai
This tea blends the subtly sweet flavors of organic lion's mane mushrooms with golden cinnamon, spicy cloves, and fragrant spices. Available on Amazon.
Peak Cocktails
Peak Cocktails are perfect for moms and moms-to-be. This non-alcoholic beverage was developed by athlete mixologists to support muscle recovery, lower stress, and improve sleep! Crafted with ingredients that work for you, not against you! Feel the benefits with clinically–significant amounts of functional ingredients. No alcohol or caffeine. No added sugar, or artificial ingredients. 100% Real fruit juice, Vegan and gluten-free. Packaged in infinitely recyclable aluminum cans. PeakCocktails.com
Pull Start Fire
If chilly nights typically drive you indoors, it’s time to think again with a little help from Pull Start Fire! Pull Start Fire is the fire starter that gives you a cozy, outdoor fire in less than 5 seconds. It requires no matches or lighters, is windproof and rainproof, and can even light on wet wood. All you do is pull the string to start the fire! PullStartFire.com
Gel Blasters
My husband had a blast (pun intended) enjoying a friendly game of family warfare with Gel Blasters. More gentle than paintball, and without the water of a water pistol, this is a fun game that can be enjoyed outside even in the winter months. We tried both regular gels and glow-in-the-dark blasters. These toys fire non-toxic, eco-friendly Gellets® (beads disintegrate on contact and leave no stain, no mess, and no cleanup). Each kit includes protective eyewear and a starter set of Gellets®. The Surge Gel Blaster comes with Semi- and Fully-Automatic blaster modes, 10,000 eco-friendly Gellets®, and up to 4 hours of play on a single charge via USB-C. The Surge XL comes with a velocity dial that adjusts blaster power from 170 to an astonishing 250 feet per second. Gel Blasters are a great idea for family night fun the entire crew will love!
magdal3na - stock.adobe.com
Desk of free space and grill time.
Minioke LED GO
Perfect for your next backyard party, Sway Audio, has introduced the new Minioke LED Go Portable Karaoke Set. This portable LED Karaoke Speaker with a wireless microphone is a favorite for our entire family. The TWS (true wireless stereo) Capable Minioke LED Go allows you to bring the entertainment and fun anywhere - from a kid’s birthday party and the beach to hosting friends for a summer BBQ, in a college dorm and tailgating at the game. Featuring a five-watt, multi-ambient LED speaker, an upgraded Bluetooth 5.3 chipset and premium components, the speaker produces crystal clear audio with deep, rich sound to fill any room or outdoor location and keep the tunes pumping for six hours. And to round out the experience, did someone say Karaoke? A state-of-the-art wireless microphone, using the latest 2.4G connection technology is also included. Available on Amazon.
LectroFan Micro2 Sound Machine + BlueTooth Speaker
LectroFan Micro2 Sound Machine + Bluetooth Speaker: This festive red sound machine doubles as a portable Bluetooth speaker and is essential for picnics. The LectroFan Micro2 Sound Machine is also the answer to feeling well-rested while you’re on the go. It’s small enough to fit in the palm of your hand! Pair it with a smartphone for streaming audio and making calls with the built-in microphone, or select sleep sound mode and enjoy your choice of five digital fan sounds, four variations of white, pink, and brown noise, and two ocean surf sounds. Also available on Amazon, Target, and Walmart.
Snowfox Stainless-Steel Barware
Do you find yourself hosting backyard BBQs and serving your favorite wine or beer? You may not want to break out your best wine glasses in the backyard. Snowfox offers the perfect solution with a line of stainless-steel barware that is unbreakable, shatterproof, and perfectly suited for your backyard grilling, BBQs, patio and pool party, or outdoor entertaining needs. The insulated stainless steel barware was created with one thing in mind - having fun and keeping your drinks cool until the last drop! Snowfox offers stemless wine glasses, rocks glasses, beer tumblers, cocktail glasses, ice buckets and more which were designed to look and feel like sipping from premium glassware, but with all the benefits of insulated stainless steel. Available at https://snowfox.fun/
Art of Kava
Offering the freshest premium Kava from the South Pacific, Art of Kava is a living tribute to founders Zac and Nicole Holzapfel's unwavering dedication to quality and authenticity. Check out these Kava Mocktails to try at your next BBQ! Each serving brings you more than just a cup of Kava; it offers a step closer to the peaceful traditions of the Pacific Islands. Through Art of Kava, Zac and Nicole extend an invitation not merely to taste a beverage but to partake in a journey steeped in serenity, community, and rich cultural heritage. Follow them on Instagram at @artofkava.
Kamsah - Plate Set & Serving Platter
From its founding in 2015 by two brothers from Tunisia, Kamsah’s interior design works have been inspired by the tried and tested traditions of local artisans across the globe. Their original interior design accents aim to offer peace, authenticity, and a mindfulness of global responsibility in the home or wherever the journey takes you. The brand is new, but its roots are deep. Since the ancient Greeks and Romans first saw the five-fingered hand as a sign of protection almost three thousand years ago, bringing its wearers happiness, peace, and prosperity, the Kamsah symbol has become iconic throughout the Mediterranean and the world. They see it as a symbol of our commitment to match the handcrafted traditions of our artisans with your interior design needs. Everything is handmade by female artisans in Tunisia. Available on Amazon (850+ reviews)
Kamsah - Medium Olive Wood Serving & Cutting Board
A cutting and cheese board is an essential addition to any picnic. It protects your surfaces, helps you prepare foods more efficiently, and can even add some much-needed charm to your outdoor dining experience. And nothing does it all quite like a beautiful, handcrafted olive wood serving platter from Forest Decor. Handcrafted by skilled artisans, these stunning pieces are made from genuine olive wood. Each board features a thick cutting surface, a unique pattern and finish, and an original style that’s both captivating and functional, making your picnic truly special. Available on Amazon