The Must-Have Gear for Your Next Cookout
Hosting a little backyard get-together? These editor-approved items will make entertaining easy—and have your guests wondering where you got them.
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At Outside, we’re no strangers to entertaining well, outside. Here, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite products for preparing—and enjoying—an outdoor feast, whether at a trailhead or in a backyard.
Graza Drizzle and Sizzle Olive Oil Set ($35)
Graza’s squeeze-top, plastic-packaged olive oils are perfect for camp chefs. Rather than blend its oils, Graza uses fresh Picual olives from Spain. We like to top salads, soups, and grilled veggies with the spicy Drizzle finishing oil, while the milder Sizzle cooking oil is great for marinades and baking. —Kelsey Lindsey
Vitamix A3500 Blender ($650)
We love frozen cocktails for patio hangs, but why do they have to be so much work? This new blender does all the heavy lifting: just add your favorite mixed-drink ingredients, press the preprogrammed Smoothies setting, and watch it automatically blend the drink to the perfect consistency. It was able to tear through even the iciest of mixes, resulting in deliciously chilled slushies with a punch. —KL
Ben and Pat’s Banana Pepper Sauce ($16)
This is our secret weapon for cookouts—slightly spicy, with a tangy vinegar kick. A swipe (or, OK, a big blob) elevates hot dogs and hamburgers to gourmet fare. —KL
Tocabe Bison Rub ($5)
Not just for bison, this rub adds an earthy note to steaks, burgers, and chicken. Made with sage and salt, it brought delicious variety to our weekly grill-outs. —KL
Dometic CFX3 55IM Cooler ($1,200)
What’s better than never having to buy ice again? A powered cooler that chills everything for a weekend trip and makes ice for camp cocktails. Power it off a generator or car battery, and enjoy a great home comfort in the backcountry. —Will Taylor
Benchmade Station Knife ($325)
If we had to pick one knife for use at home and in camp, this would be it. The blade’s fine tip is great for delicate tasks, while the solid handle and rear blade tackle heavy chores. Bonuses: the proprietary steel holds an edge well, and the plastic sheath makes travel easy and safe. —WT