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You don’t need much to make a barbecue a success: a dish to cook, good company and you’re all set. Even so, a few gadgets can help you take the evening up a notch and impress the gallery.
Undercooked chicken, overcooked steak: cooking on a barbecue (or even in the oven) isn’t always easy, especially when you also have to look after your guests and prepare the side dishes. A smart thermometer makes the task much simpler.
The Meater 2 Plus ($175) is the cream of the crop for devices of this kind. This smart wireless thermometer features five internal probes, which measure the temperature of the food with precision, and one external probe, which records the ambient temperature of the barbecue. With this information, the mobile app estimates how long cooking will take and tells you when to remove the food from the oven or grill.
For smaller budgets, you can also buy a simpler model, with wired probes connected to a box that is placed near the barbecue. These measure less accurately and can’t be linked to your phone, but some devices, like those from ThermoPro, cost as little as $35.
More and more grills and barbecues are available in smart versions. The Weber Slate ($949), for example, is a plancha with a built-in thermometer to ensure that the cooking surface is at the perfect temperature for a smash burger.
For those who are not allowed to have a propane or charcoal appliance at home, there are also electric grills for outdoor use. Some units are even quite affordable, like the Ninja Woodfire ($399), which can grill or smoke food.
For musical ambience, opt for a Wi-Fi rather than Bluetooth speaker. While Bluetooth stops working if you move too far away (or receive a call), Wi-Fi offers better sound quality, which won’t be interrupted as soon as you go indoors.
The Sonos Roam ($229) is the best option to consider for the price. If your budget allows, however, the Sonos Move 2 ($559) offers more powerful, higher-quality sound. Note that both of these devices can also operate in Bluetooth mode if required, if you’re going to a cottage far from a Wi-Fi router, for example.
LED connected bulbs make it easy to create lighting moods, such as soft yellow lighting, or even with changing colors when the mood strikes. There are tons of options on the market, but those looking for simplicity might be interested in GE Lighting’s LED+ range (from $15 for a starter kit), which works without apps, central switches or installation. Simply use the remote control supplied in the box to change the ambiance.
