Is there a more apropos way to welcome summer than with a good old-fashioned alfresco party? Barbecues, cook-outs, pool parties galore! The formula is simple: tasty food, good friends and captivating entertainment (emphasis on the tasty food part), but what's the best way to do it? As long as you have a well-stocked arsenal of outdoor entertaining essentials and a few above-the-cut kitchen appliances, you'll be well on your way to earning the MVP-T (Most Valuable Party-Thrower) award, and your guests will thank you for it.
Entertaining outdoors is about making your exterior space feel as comfy as your interior space and piling the picnic table high with classic summer treats that everybody loves. The food is the main attraction of the affair, after all, and it's the thing everyone will remember the most about your splendid summer soiree. Here's what you'll need to achieve a memorable picnic menu featuring all the bells and whistles:
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1. A Built-In Grill
Create an impressive entertaining space by designing an outdoor kitchen worthy of Architectural Digest. A highly rated grill as the centerpiece is a no-brainer, but if you really want to ramp up your party-throwing reputation, consider going the built-in route. These versatile open-air kitchen appliances make outdoor cooking a genuine breeze, transforming a basic patio into a fresh air chef's dream kitchen that will leave your guests impressed. -
2. An Outdoor Pizza Oven
Step aside, burgers and dogs. Welcome to the party, fresh-baked pizza. No one will complain when you invest in an outdoor pizza oven. Surprisingly, these accoutrements don't require costly installations or hefty investments, and you can get a tabletop model for less than $300. Host a make-your-own-pie party for a really fun way to feed the whole family and get everyone involved in the cooking process. -
3. High-Tech Indoor Appliances
Sure, having a well-appointed outdoor kitchen is amazing, but it's your tried-and-true kitchen appliances that tend to do all the heavy lifting when you're throwing a party. Start by upgrading to a smart, energy efficient fridge with ample room for party prep and cold drinks. That extra bowl of fruit salad and case of beer your friends brought over will need a home, after all. Oh, and when all is said and done, make cleanup a breeze with a dishwasher with a third rack and an electronic display. -
4. An Outdoor Fridge
Like the built-in grill, an outdoor fridge has the power to transform a basic grilling space into a magazine-worthy galley. Oh, and it doesn't hurt that it serves the essential purpose of keeping drinks icy on hot days. These amazing appliances are generally compact and durable compared to your typical indoor models and are great for keeping the party contained to the outdoors (meaning fewer footprints tracked through the house). Some are even powered by the sun, which means no electricity necessary! -
5. A Next Level Cooler
Not quite ready to commit to a full-blown, appliance-enhanced outdoor kitchen? Don't worry. You can still have refreshing, chilled drinks on demand, as long as you pick the right cooler . We've got coolers that were practically made for summer parties, with features like extra cupholders, built-in bottle openers and special chilling compartments. We've even got some plug-in coolers that let you chill your refreshments sans ice. -
6. A Meat Smoker
If you're really looking to please a crowd, we recommend that you jump on the meat smoking bandwagon this summer. These purpose-built appliances simultaneously cook, brown and flavor the low and slow way, transforming even the toughest cuts of meat into tender works of culinary art. You'll be convinced once you see some of the mouth-watering creations you can cook up with this useful appliance. -
7. A Good Set of Cooking Tools
You're the grill-master, so you're going to occasionally need to wield some weaponry (the spatula, that is). Preparing for all your fresh air fiestas is simple when you've got the ri ght set of cooking tools , complete with a grill brush, a grill thermometer and a solid set of tongs. Nothing makes you feel as ready for the summer entertaining season than some fresh, new utensils!
Enjoying the Warm Weather Together
Summer parties may be enhanced by summertime foodstuffs we look forward to every year, but at their core, they're about enjoying one another's company in pleasant weather. As long as you've got a nice place to soak up the sun and bask in a light breeze, you can be sure your backyard will fast earn the reputation of party headquarters. We've got the ultimate list of supplies for the job right here at Goedeker's.