5 Essentials for Your July 4th Backyard BBQ Party
Expert Advice

Image: Deposit Photos, urban_light

The Fourth of July has many familiar sounds: the crack of fireworks, the sizzle of burgers, the clink of beer bottles. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of American independence, check out these essentials for your red, white and blue barbecue!

Weber Genesis II S-335 Propane Grill

If you’re in the market for a new grill, look no further, the Weber Genesis II S-335 propane grill with sear and side burner is the answer to your prayers. Dressed in sleek stainless steel, this grill instantly adds some much-needed character to your backyard. The heavy-duty Weber Genesis is an excellent BBQ grill delivering the perfect sear. With an easy start, you get precise control and even temperature across the grate, heating up to almost 700 degrees with the sear station on which provides professional-looking grill marks. The new design on the Weber Genesis keeps flare-ups to a minimum, plus the warming rack can be dropped down for larger grilling space when not in use.

Sonance Patio Series 4.1 Outdoor Audio System

This unique speaker system will allow you to hear your favorite tunes in surround sound whether you’re taking a dip in the pool or relaxing on the patio. The Sonance Patio Series 4.1 is an outdoor speaker set designed to be placed unobtrusively throughout your yard. It comes with 6 speakers, an amplifier, and a subwoofer. The dark brown units camouflage with the ground, and the material is rather durable, so you don’t need to lose sleep about UV exposure or rain wearing down the finish. You will need to purchase  speaker wire separately, but you’ll get great sound with decent coverage in a large yard.

KitchenAid K400 Variable Speed Blender

From nutrient-packed smoothies to fresh fruit juices to frozen margaritas, this blender is considered a “must-have countertop appliance.” The KitchenAid K400 blender has a powerful 1200W motor that can cut through everything you throw at it with ease, including ice and tougher veggies like carrots. It also boasts pre-programmed settings which make the process of using the blender super convenient. (There’s even a self-cleaning cycle that uses rapid pulses of power and high speeds to clean the blender jar!) Even at max power, the sturdy base does not move at all, thanks to the total weight at about 11.5 lbs. and the rubber bottom keeping it in place.

Hessaire MC61M 5,300 3-Speed Portable Evaporative Cooler

Get ready to have your summertime forever changed from here on out! Gatherings with friends and family on the deck are what the warmer months are made for, but temperatures that creep into the upper 90s can put a damper on the fun. Evaporative coolers cool a space by dehumidifying the area, ultimately lowering the temperature. The Hessaire MC61M is a relatively quiet unit, and the hidden wheels make it easy to move around. The three speeds and rotating fan gives you the best cooling options, and the oscillating vent fins allow you to redirect the air flow easily.

TIP: It’s a good idea to drain out the old water weekly if you use it regularly and clean the tank at the end of the summer.

Outdoor Cayman 5-piece Aluminum Dining Set

Your July 4th party would not be complete without a place to serve food and entertain guests. Consider the Christopher Knight 5-piece outdoor dining set, the perfect addition to any small to medium sized patio. Made with cast aluminum material so it will not rust, this set airs on the lighter side as far as weight is concerned when compared to some denser (immovable) products, however, it is surprisingly durable and can hold its own in heavy wind. The style of the lattice gives an elegant impression, and the contoured design of the chairs’ back and legs are equally as eye-pleasing. The seats are comfortable, even without cushions, and the table is easy to wipe clean when the day is done.