To kick off the new season, we’ve highlighted a few of our favorite kitchen products, gagdets and tools to help survive the heat, pool parties and summer entertaining.
Check out our favorite 10 products for summer cooking below.
Have a favorite product that we didn’t include? Leave us a comment and tell us why it’s a must-have for you!
Mr. Bar-B-Q’s 21-Piece Stainless Steel Grill Set
If you haven’t fired up the grill yet, it’s time to heat things up! Consider investing in a complete tool set like Mr. Bar-B-Q’s 21-Piece Stainless Steel Grill Set to get grilling like a pro. Easy to clean and with every spatula, tong, fork, brush and kabob skewer you will need, you’ll be grilling up every protein and veggie that passes through your kitchen. Shop online at wayfair.com.
Chef’n Mini Burger Machine
There’s no other ‘standard summer meal’ like burgers hot off the grill paired with a “buffet” of fresh toppers. Whether you’re entertaining grown-ups or having a group of kiddos over for a pool party, Chef’n makes it easy to whip up a tray of sliders with their Mini Burger Machine. The burger-shaped burger press releases perfect 2.5 oz mini burger patties out of ground meat. Find it on Amazon for $7.99.
T-fal ActiFry
You’re going to need some fries to go with all those burgers! T-fal’s ActiFry makes it so that you can enjoy crispy-golden French fries (and other ‘fried’ foods) without heating up your kitchen by using the deep-fryer or skillet-frying on the stove. Forget turning up the oven for frozen French fries. With the ActiFry, you can prepare golden, crispy-on-the-outside-soft-on-the-inside fries from fresh-cut potatoes and by only using a tablespoon of oil. Yeah, you read that right! Intrigued? Pick up the ActiFry for yourself at various local retailers, including Bed, Bath & Beyond.
Sodastream Genesis
Make your own flavored soda at home. Growing up, I remember having friends over during the summer for impromptu pool parties nearly every day of the week. My parents always had a mini fridge stocked full of soda and fruit-flavored drinks for me and my friends to rummage through. The popular soda-making machine, Sodastream, allows you to carbonate your own soft drinks at home from water right out of the tap. They offer plenty syrup varieties, so get creative! Buy the Genesis Starter Kit online for $99.95 at sodastreamusa.com.
T-fal Balanced Living Juice Extractor
For healthier drinks, there’s no better season for juicing than these scorching summer months. Prep yourself with a good-quality juicer (we like T-fal’s Juice Extractor from the Balanced Living line) and make a trip to your local farmers’ market to stock up on fresh fruits and veggies for the week. Buy it on Amazon for $64.99 at amazon.com.
Magimix 14-cup Food Processor
Summer snacking always requires plenty of salsa! For lighter snacking fare, be sure to have a food processor on hand for all those dips and salsas you’re bound to be shoveling in your mouth. We like the Magimix 14-cup Food Processor that you can use for nearly… everything. Whip up pesto, cold dips and cool, summer soups in a breeze. Its three nesting bowls make it easy to create a couple of different dips without having to stop and clean up in between. The Food Processor is sold exclusively through Williams-Sonoma. Find it online at williams-sonoma.com.
IMUSA Granite Molcajete
There’s no better complement to salsa than fresh guacamole. Get yourself a mortar and pestle set like IMUSA’s Granite Molcajete to throw together guac like a pro (and it’s great for table presentation, too!). Find it for $19.99 at Target.com.
DreamFarm Scizza
If you’ve got kids and pool, you’re bound to be hosting a few parties and sleepovers over the summer. Check out DreamFarm’s Scizza (scissors made especially for pizza) for make-your-own pizza parties. This unique scissor-like kitchen tool cuts pizza slices, pastry dough and other foods with ease. And, we just think it looks pretty fun to use! Order it online at dreamfarm.com for $29.95.
T-fal Ice Cream Maker
Cool down with homemade ice cream this year. With your own ice cream maker, you’re free to get creative with flavors and ice cream add-ins to create your perfect scoop. T-fal’s new affordable Ice Cream Maker allows you to whip up your ice cream, gelato or frozen yogurt in only 30 minutes. Buy it on Amazon at amazon.com.
Yonanas
If dairy-free treats are what you’re after, consider picking up a Yonanas (yep, as seen on TV)… a neat kitchen gadget that creates an ice cream-like dessert from frozen fruit and totally guilt-free! Buy it at various online and retail locations (find one near you at yonanas.com).