These Are the 10 Outdoor Entertaining 'Must-Haves' to Stock Up on Before Summer Ends (2024)

• Product Reviews and Buying Guides

Lodge is a beloved brand, known for reliable cast iron products that stand up to heavy-duty cooking. Ashley sings the praises of one Lodge pan in particular. “This cast iron casserole dish is great on the grill,” she says. “Since it's rectangular, you can just scoot it over to one side, and let your baked beans, green beans, corn, etc. cook right alongside everything else!”

The pre-seasoned pan has high walls to prevent any spillage and two large handles on the side for easy gripping. It’s got such a classic look that you can serve the food right from the pan (just be careful since it will be hot—cast iron retains heat well). When you’re done for the evening, give the pan a good scrub, dry it off, then re-season it with a little bit of oil.

The Details: Pre-seasoned cast iron; 7.25 pounds; hand wash only; 9 x 13 inches

Dreamfarm is known for creatively named (and creatively designed) kitchen products, and the brizzle is one of the most popular. It combines the words “baste” and “drizzle” for a stellar combo. “This silicone brush holds a tablespoon of sauce that slowly comes through the bristles as you slather whatever you're grilling,” says Ashley.

Think about it, you could easily baste a turkey, drench ribs with barbecue sauce, evenly apply an egg wash to a pie, or drizzle olive oil across some roasted veggies. It’s a clever multifunctional tool available in multiple colors. Also, it’s dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.

The Details: Silicone; 1 tablespoon capacity; heat-resistant to 500°F; 11 x 1.18 x 1.97 inches

Don’t underestimate the power of simplicity. KitchenAid’s stainless steel utility tongs look as plain as they come, but Ashley swears by them. These 12-inch tongs are the perfect length for turning hot dogs or chicken breasts on the grill while keeping your fingers away from the heat. Durable and dishwasher safe, the scalloped tongs can be locked when not in use so they don’t take up too much space in your drawer. If you want a pop of color, or tongs with a softer touch, KitchenAid also has silicone-tipped tools available.

The Details: Heat-resistant stainless steel; dishwasher safe; 11.6 x 1.2 inches

One downside to hosting a big dinner party is all the clean-up afterward. What if you could combine the convenience of disposable dinnerware with a pleasing aesthetic? That’s where Sophistiplate comes in. “Sophistiplate makes curated paper products that feel almost like real stuff,” says Ashley. “It's cute, hefty, and disposable. Yay!” There are a number of incredible designs available, from an elegant and eco-friendly cream set to a vibrant red and gold set that will make a statement.

The Details: Serves up to 8 people; includes dinner plate, salad plate, appetizer plate, guest towels, and co*cktail napkins

“My go-to for serving on my parent's porch is Golden Rabbit Enamelware,” says Ashley. “My must-haves are the pasta plates, round serving platter, oval serving platter, and the large bowl.” We can easily see why Ashley loves the brand so much. The designs and colors are absolutely eye-catching and can serve as a wonderful conversation starter.

The beauty of Golden Rabbit is more than just aesthetic, however. Enamelware is durable yet lightweight, nonstick, scratch-resistant, dishwasher safe, and can be used with stovetops, grills, and ovens (though not microwaves). The oval tray in particular is ideal for serving grilled kebabs, a crudités platter, baked fish with slices of lemon, or just about anything else you can whip up.

The Details: Porcelain, enamel, and stainless steel; dishwasher safe; 12 x 16 inches

Ashley is all about hosting smarter, not harder. One way she achieves that is by using paper products. “Y'all, [Hester & Cook’s] paper placemats, napkins, accents, and runners make any table so much cuter,” she says. The designs look absolutely incredible and can add that special finishing touch to an outdoor dinner without the hefty price tag or time commitment of cleaning cloth table dressings.

The Details: Paper; 20 x 25 inches

“I'm a huge fan of having a double drink dispenser when entertaining outdoors. While I do try to keep glass and breakable items out of the outdoor entertaining essentials, these aren't going anywhere,” says Ashley. “As long as the drink dispensers are on the stand, and secure (not on a wobbly table or uneven ground!), these will be fine for entertaining!”

This duo of Mason Jar-styled dispensers are perfect for big batch co*cktails or fruity punches. Each 4-liter jar features a reusable chalkboard label, though you’ll have to purchase chalk separately. You can easily label different flavors or indicate which jar is alcoholic and which is non-alcoholic. It’s always nice to have various drink options at a get-together.

The Details: 4 liters each; hand wash only; no hot drinks; 15.35 x 15 x 8 inches fully assembled

When mingling at a party, it’s tricky to hold both a drink and a small plate of hors d'oeuvres. If you want to shake a new friend’s hand? Forget about it. Ashley found a very clever solution that solves multiple problems at once. “Another item I'm loving these days as I sit on my porch and drink are these bamboo drink coaster-toppers,” she says. “I've been using them for cute mini cheese boards and drink covers!”

The cute bamboo coasters have a smaller base that fits inside a wine glass to keep things steady. Not only does the coaster provide a mini plate for tasty appetizers, but it also covers the drink to keep pesky fruit flies or mosquitos away. There are several different styles available, ranging from round to square and curved or flat.

The Details: Bamboo; hand wash only; 4 x 1 x 2.4 inches

There’s nothing better than a nice, cold drink to beat the summer heat. The trick is keeping those drinks nice and cold. Ashley recommends the Oxo Good Grips Ice Cube Tray to achieve just that. Oxo’s clever tray not only keeps water from spilling, it also keeps musty odors out of the ice and doubles as a surface for stacking another ice tray on top. Thanks to the curved shape of the molds, ice pops out easily. Use it to keep that punch bowl cold or to serve individual drinks on the rocks.

The Details: BPA-free plastic; top rack dishwasher safe; 12.2 x 5.6 x 1.75 inches

“If you do entertain outside often (whether on a porch or backyard), this rolling beverage cooler is fantastic! Pack it full of your favorite beverages, layer on the ice, and have your guests help themselves,” says Ashley. “It's an expensive item, but well worth the investment.”

She suggests this 80-quart rolling chest from Edostory in particular. The black alloy steel cart has a sleek and classic look that can elevate any outdoor gathering. It has several handles, 360-degree rolling wheels, an ice scoop holder (with scoop included), and a built-in bottle opener. It also has a lower shelf where you can store bottles. Cheers!

The Details: Alloy steel; 80-quart capacity; 15 x 31 x 33.5 inches

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