Summer grilling doesn’t have to mean loud crowds and beer-soaked chaos. This season, we’re turning down the volume and turning up the vibe with cozy, elevated essentials that make your backyard feel like a retreat. From cast iron skillets that improve with every flame to pizza ovens built for artisan cravings, this curated guide blends firelight, comfort, and great taste. Whether you're hosting a slow Sunday cookout or an intimate evening under string lights, these finds bring the heat, without losing the chill.
🛠️ Spotlight Gear
Pellethead PoBoy Pellet Pizza Oven
Designed with the outdoor chef in mind! The Poboy pellet pizza oven was created to cook your favorite artisan or Neopolitan pizza in a flash. The Pellethead Poboy pellet pizza oven runs on hardwood pellets and can reach temperatures up to 900 degrees Fahrenheit in as little as 15 minutes.
Perfect for your outdoor needs, the dome lid and stone don’t just allow you to add a smoky flavor to your favorite pizza; you can also cook veggies and other items.
🔗 Buy the Pellethead PoBoy Pizza Oven →
12” IronFlame Co Cast Iron Skillet – Heat-Ready with Wooden Handle, Backed by Lifetime Guarantee
Designed for cooks who expect more from their tools, this 12” cast iron skillet delivers uncompromising heat control, weighty performance, and timeless style. The thick cast iron construction retains heat evenly, whether you’re searing over flame or slow-cooking on a stovetop. A smooth-finished wooden handle stays cooler to the touch, offering a secure grip without compromising control. No coatings. No shortcuts. Just real cast iron, forged for everyday fire and elevated outcomes.
From backyard grills to off-grid kitchens, this skillet gets better with every burn.
Premium Features:
Thick, high-retention cast iron for even heat across all surfaces
12” diameter ideal for steaks, cornbread, hash, and more
Ergonomic wooden handle offers secure, cool-touch control
Flame, stovetop, oven, and induction compatible
Built to season naturally and last for generations
🔗 Shop the 12″ IronFlame Co Cast Iron Skillet →
🔥 Fire & Warmth Enhancers
City Bonfires Portable Fire Pit
Ideal for cozy patio vibes. These U.S.-handcrafted, wood-burning tabletop pits are made with nontoxic materials and designed for easy lighting and extinguishing—thanks to founders focused on family and safety . Compact yet warm, they create an instant campfire feel wherever you gather.
Bring the bonfire outside—even on apartment balconies. Each burner lasts 3–5 hours, burns clean, and is odor-free, so your guests enjoy warmth without smoke intruding on the mood—or the menu.
🔗 Grab the City Bonfires Portable Fire Pit →
UCO Flatpack Portable Fire Pit
For those who take their grilling seriously—even off-grid. The UCO Flatpack features a foldable, stainless-steel design that packs flat for RVs, camping, or tailgate life. Rated “best overall” by Popular Mechanics, it includes a cooking grate to double as a campsite grill.
Set it up in under a minute and burn wood, charcoal, or biomass for a campfire experience anywhere. It’s tough, travel-ready, and ready to bring fire-start comfort to remote summer escapes.
🔗 Buy the UCO Flatpack Portable Fire Pit →
🌡️ Stay Toasty
Gobi Heat Zen Heated Blanket
Say goodbye to shivering evenings. This battery-powered heated blanket (70″×50″) delivers up to 10 hours of warmth outdoors, with three adjustable heat zones so everyone stays comfortable. It’s soft, packable, and easily recharged using USB-C.
Perfect for patios, tailgates, or fire-side indoor lounging. The battery can be removed for washing and is also compatible with 12V outlets—fully future-proof for long, chill evenings outdoors.
🔗 Buy the Gobi Heat Zen Heated Blanket →
🕯️ Pest Protection in Style
Murphy’s Naturals Mosquito Repellent Candle
Backyard bites don’t stand a chance. Made from a beeswax-soy blend infused with citronella, lemongrass, rosemary, peppermint, and cedarwood—this candle burns for 30 hours and is completely DEET-free
It drops a gentle, uplifting scent while actively repelling mosquitoes—Better Homes & Gardens called it “the best candle option” for small outdoor spaces. Portable enough for tables or entryways, this candle keeps your atmosphere chemical-free and bite-free.
🔗 Shop Murphy's Mosquito Candle →
Slow North “Not Today, Bugs” Candle
Add artisan charm to your evening setup. Slow North offers small-batch, hand-poured soy candles featuring essential oils that repel bugs while adding subtle fragrance. Their chic, minimal design doubles as an outdoor décor piece and mosquito defense system.
Perfect for stylish sets. Drop a few around the grilling zone to protect guests without compromising on aesthetics—double win for taste and ambiance.
🎵 Acoustic Playlist Suggestions
“Summer Evening Chillout” — Spotify
A relaxed mix crafted for mellow summer nights under the stars. Expect soft guitars, nostalgic vocals, and a blend of mellow hits like Badfinger’s “Day After Day,” America’s “A Horse with No Name,” and more tucked into a 60-minute setlist.
Ideal for winding down, this playlist maintains a warm, intimate vibe—great while grilling or lounging by the fire. Just hit play and let unobtrusive acoustic tracks set the tone for meaningful conversation and comfort.
🔗 Stream “Summer Evening Chillout” on Spotify
“Evening Acoustic” — Spotify
A top-saved option with over 1.2 million followers, this playlist features heartfelt performances like Hozier’s live “Cherry Wine,” tender indie ballads, and subtle instrumental backbones.
Crisp, ambient, and whisper-light—it’s the kind of background track that enhances ambience without pulling attention away from your gathering. It’s perfect for that quiet after-dinner glow by the fire.
🔗 Stream “Evening Acoustic” on Spotify
🍇 Wine Pairings
Sphaerics “If and Only If” Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast, CA)
This small-batch Chardonnay hails from Sphaerics, a boutique Sonoma winery launched in 2022. Crafted with minimal intervention, it’s fermented with indigenous yeasts and avoids fining or filtering to preserve purity. Expect a rich, creamy profile balanced by bright acidity—perfect for creamy grilled fish, corn, or potato salad.
Beyond flavor, Sphaerics carries a distinctive story: its founders bring pedigree in Northern California winemaking and maintain sustainable practices, making this bottle a standout addition to your outdoor gathering. Its refined texture and vineyard-specific character embody elevated summer comfort without being overpowering.
🔗 Order Sphaerics “If and Only If” Chardonnay (~$65) →
Schiava Alto Adige DOC (Northern Italy)
Enter Schiava, a light- to medium-bodied red from Alto Adige prized by sommeliers for its fresh cherry notes, fine tannins, and acidity—ideal for summer sipping. With just ~12% ABV, it’s elegantly refreshing with grilled sausage, pork chops, or mushroom skewers.
This naturally unoaked red is gaining attention as a versatile dinner companion—charmingly rustic yet polished. Its bright, low-tannin nature means it pairs well with everything from veggies to charred meats, making it a reliable choice when entertaining outside.
🔗 Buy Schiava DOC (e.g., Alois Lageder) (~$20–$25) →
🍷 Non-Alcoholic Wine Pairings
Sutter Home “Fre” Sparkling Brut
This non-alcoholic sparkling wine offers crisp green apple, ripe pear, and strawberry aromas balanced by a refreshing dry finish. It captures celebratory fizz without the alcohol.
Perfect for toasting at sundown or pairing with seafood, cheese, or citrus-based dishes. Its effervescence and clean finish elevate a simple evening into something special.
Leitz “Eins Zwei Zero” Non-Alcoholic Riesling
This still Riesling highlights bright lime, citrus, rhubarb, and red apple flavors, rounded by a clean, mineral-rich finish. It’s crisp, vibrant, and thoughtfully balanced.
Versatile with grilled veggies, poultry, or fresh salads—it brings elegance to the table without alcohol. Food & Wine praised it as the best non-alcoholic sparkling Riesling available
🔗 Shop “Eins Zwei Zero” Riesling →
