Summer Essentials for Hassle-Free BBQs, Picnics, and Potlucks: 27 Items That Guarantee Enjoyable Gatherings

Summer Essentials for Hassle-Free BBQs, Picnics, and Potlucks: 27 Items That Guarantee Enjoyable Gatherings

BBQ Essentials for Your Ultimate Summer Bash

By Rachel DunkelBuzzFeed Contributor, reimagined to spice things up

Get ready for an unforgettable BBQ this season! After swearing off another disappointing grilling disaster, it's time to step up your game. These fabulous picks, carefully curated by our editors (wink, wink), will ensure your soiree sizzles in all the right ways.

Don't forget, BuzzFeed and its publishing partner might earn a share of the sales from the links in this article (shhhh, no one told you).

1. Char-Broil Gas Grill: Fits a crowd like a glove! Four burners and a warming rack deliver ample cooking space for all your burgers, dogs, and veggies. No more toiling away all afternoon in batches. Don't forget the propane tank!

Price: $358.45 on Amazon Promising Review: "This is my third gas grill, and it's the best one yet. The heat distribution is even across the surface, which is a real game-changer." - Ron

1. Weber Charcoal Grill: Perfectly charred grill flavor, right at your fingertips! Replace your old rusty grill with this dependable workhorse.

Price: $139 on Amazon (with or without a cover) Promising Review: "Affordable and reliable. Performs exceptionally in our backyard. Cooks everything from kabobs to steak! Easy to clean, too." - Marci Manley

1. Dan-O's Seasonings: TikTok-famous and worthy of your attention! Coat everything you BBQ with these finger-lickin' good seasonings. No more fumbling with your spice rack in the great outdoors.

Price: $20 on Amazon (2-pack original and spicy) Promising Review: "Life-changing! Elevated my cooking to new heights. Can't wait to stock up!" - Josie

1. Folding Table: Got a potluck full of dishes? Make room for it all with this handy table. Bring two just to be safe, Rob might bring 10 dips again (sigh).
2. Mesh Food Covers: A must-have for keeping your delicious creations untouched by insects and creepy-crawlies. Popping up in seconds, no assembly required!

Price: $9.99 on Amazon (set of three) Promising Review: "These work surprisingly well! Fold back flat and stow away easily for next time." - Professor X

1. Cloth Napkins: A more eco-friendly, stylish, and easily-washable option compared to paper. You'll wonder why you didn't switch to these sooner.

Price: $24.99 on Amazon (set of 12) Promising Review: "High-quality napkins that wash wonderfully! They come out slightly wavy from the dryer (not a problem for me), but they look natural and not wrinkled. Adored them!" - Allison B.

1. Serving Spoons: Be the host with the most! Equip yourself with this basic set of stainless-steel serving spoons, including three slotted and three regular ones. No more scrambling for extras.
2. Serving Tongs: Grab a pair (or two) of these bad boys to tackle those infuriating "finger foods." They come in two styles to ensure you have the perfect tool for every app.
3. Deet-free Repel: Arm yourself against bitey bugs and keep the music playing all day and night with this effective, eco-friendly spray. Nab a two-pack for added protection!

Price: $11.87 on Amazon (two-pack) Promising Review: "Amazing! Finally, I can enjoy the outdoors without being feasted upon by mosquitoes!" - Mae

1. Heat-Resistant Grilling Gloves: Accident-proof your summer grilling! These gloves are heat-resistant up to 932 degrees, ensuring a safer BBQ experience for even the clumsiest of cooks.

Price: $29.99 on Amazon (available in three sizes) Promising Review: "These gloves are an integral part of my kitchen routine. I cook on a BBQ outdoors a lot and these gloves allow me to handle hot pans and grates more efficiently. Highly recommended!" - Amazon Customer

1. Color-Coordinated Prep Trays: Prevent cross-contamination between raw and cooked meats with these handy, color-coordinated trays. No more yelling across the kitchen (hopefully).

Price: $22.49 on Amazon (set of two) Promising Review: "Loving these trays! I use the red one for raw meat and the black one for cooked meat. They're great for grilling large amounts of food and have plenty of room for leftovers!" - B. White

1. Collapsible Cooler: Rolling cooler galore! This one is roomy enough to store up to 36 cans with ice. Perfect for BBQs on-the-go!

Price: $54.99 on Amazon (available in three colors) Promising Review: "Perfect size and super lightweight! Sits flat, so I can attach my portable wine cooler/bag to the top with ease. Absolutely love this cooler!" - Tamara A Ranville

1. or 14. Yeti Tundra 35 Cooler: Splurge on an unforgettable cooler that'll hold up to 35 cans, with an impressive 4.8-star overall rating for its durability and immense cooling power. Great for those sweltering, long-day events.

1. Scrubbin' Stone Grill Cleaner: Get your grill back in tip-top shape before the hordes arrive! Each stone provides up to two deep cleanings or 6-8 maintenance cleanings. Goodbye, Aunt Marge, and your passive-aggressive burnt-on food remarks!

Price: $6.99 on Amazon Promising Review: "Revived my 3-year-old grill grates! Took only a few minutes to clean and restore them to their former glory. Highly recommended!" - hbinoc

1. Thermapen Meat Thermometer: A pro's secret to quick and accurate readings. When cooking for a crowd, the pressure is on to deliver mouth-watering, tender delights. This bad boy will help you nail that cook time and elevate your status to grill god.

Price: $85 on Thermapen (available in six colors) Promising Review: "Absolutely game-changing! Extremely fast and always accurate. I can no longer fathom life without this thermometer!" - Matt

1. Metal Skewers: Their flat shape keeps food stable and easy to turn, ensuring even cooking on all sides (brilliant!).

Price: $13.99 on Amazon (12-pack 14" skewers, available in two other sizes) Promising Review: "Worked great! No more losing skewers in the fires of my grill." - Youcef

1. Tongs: The ultimate multi-tasker, whether you're grilling indoors or out (thank you, third, metal, grippy, temperature-resistant hand).

Price: $18.99 on Amazon (set of two) Promising Review: "Amazing! Perfect length for grilling on larger grills. Grips are excellent and the locking mechanism works perfectly! A major win!" - CAgrios

1. Grill Lights: No more fumbling around in the dark with phone flashlights! These flexible grill lights cling to your grill, casting light on your masterful culinary creations... or the nacho cheese (wink, wink).

Price: $11.99 on Amazon (two-pack, available in black or silver) Promising Review: "Love these! Fits securely on the grill and provides enough light to cook with ease." - MVega

1. Dip Clips: Keep your condiments organized and easy to find during the soggy frenzy of potluck parties (better bring extra ranch!).

Price: $9.99 on Amazon (set of eight) Promising Review: "Awesome! Helps keep sauces separated and easy to grab. Highly recommended!" - Rebecca H.

1. Outdoor Extension Cord: Just in case you need to run power to a slow cooker, light, speaker, or anything else you need for the ultimate party vibes.
2. Grill Basket: Grill those delicious veggies, shrimp, and smaller foods without losing them to the fiery depths of the grate.

Price: $24.49 on Amazon (available in two sizes) Promising Review: "Exactly what I wanted! Works well for grilling veggies and keeps them from falling through the grates." - Aaron Sholl

1. Canvas Cross-Back Apron: Protect your clothes from BBQ sauce, ketchup, and mustard stains – ensuring an easier cleanup for you (you're welcome!).

Price: $17.99 on Amazon (available in eight colors, adjustable up to a unisex size XXL) Promising Review: "High-quality apron! Comfortable and sturdy. Perfect for a variety of crafting and building activities, too!" - Randy Butler

1. Water-Resistant Picnic Blanket: Rolls up for easy transport, perfect for last-minute picnics. Keep it in your car for unexpected adventures (you know, just in case).

Price: $26.99 on Amazon (available in seven sizes and six designs) Promising Review: "Ideal for wet grass (shout-out to rainy days). Big enough for three adults, two children, and a large picnic basket." - Lauren

1. or 25. Puffy Rumpl Indoor/Outdoor Blanket: A personal favorite for picnics (see below). Its smooth surface is water- and dirt-resistant, ensuring durability in various settings.
2. Crock-Pot: Slow-cook tempting, home-cooked meals for a crowd. Prepare your ingredients in the morning, leave it, and impress everyone with your complex culinary skills (essence intended).
3. Folding Table: Take your picnic game to the next level with this handy table. Keep your precious spread of food and drink protected from ants and pesky critters (seriously, not the mosquitoes this time).

Price: $29.99 on Amazon (available in three styles) Promising Review: "Perfect for organized picnic setups! Holds wine bottles, glasses, and food with ease." - Kristin

1. Pop-Up Trash Can: Clean up becomes a breeze when you have this nifty waste container at your side. Say goodbye to ants and hello to a more put-together party.

The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.

Note: These specific recommendations and prices may not reflect current BuzzFeed picks or prices, so be sure to check (buzz) the most recent ones before making your splurge!

1. In preparation for your backyard BBQ, consider purchasing the Char-Broil Gas Grill for a spacious grilling experience. Its four burners and warming rack allow for ample cooking space, ensuring no more time-consuming batches. Propane tank not included.

Price: $358.45 on Amazon

1. For a natural charcoal grill flavor, the Weber Charcoal Grill is a dependable choice. Its affordability makes it a great replacement for an old rusty model, and it works well for outdoor cooking of kabobs, steak, and more.

Price: $139 on Amazon (with or without a cover)

1. Elevate your BBQ dishes with Dan-O's Seasonings. Available in an original and spicy variety, these TikTok-famous seasonings offer finger-lickin' good flavor that eliminates the need for fumbling with spices outdoors.

Price: $20 on Amazon (2-pack)

1. If space is limited, a Folding Table provides a portable solution for displaying your BBQ deliciousness. Perfect for potlucks and parties, these tables come in handy when you need extra surface area.

Price: $24.99 on Amazon (set of 12 cloth napkins)

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