Outdoor barbecues are customary during Memorial Day weekend when families and friends come together to honor the sacrifices of our military men and women.
You can make hosting Memorial Day cookouts easier by pre-planning for them and having all the appliances you need, both large and small. This means being ready for your guests with not only Memorial Day grilling recipes, outdoor grills and outdoor smokers, but a variety of other outdoor appliances such as ice makers and even ice cream machines. The experts at Appliances Connection have compiled this list of all the different appliances you may need for your Memorial Day BBQ.
Grill
An Ideal Appliance For: Everyone with a backyard
Ideas: At Appliances Connection, we love freestanding grills in particular because they don't have any special installation requirements. All you need is fuel and a safe space to do your grilling. Just make sure that you have ventilation, and you're good to go! This freestanding grill from Weber's GENESIS Series is one of our favorites. At 69 in. wide and with 994 sq. in. of grilling space, it gives you the grilling power to feed your guests all season long and the convenience of being able to put it away at the end of the summer. Meanwhile, its PureBlu Burners and warming rack combine to give you the versatility that any Memorial Day BBQ needs.
Ice Maker
An Ideal Appliance For: Parties with lots of cold drinks
Ideas: Having an ice maker of your own means that you don't have to buy heavy bags of ice at the grocery store. This takes one problem away from entertaining, and it lets you serve as many guests as you need to in your outdoor kitchen. Don't forget that the ice can do more than go in the drinks: it can be used in coolers to keep soda and beer cold as well. This 15 in. ice maker from the U-Line 1000 Series is perfect for larger parties. It produces up to 60 lbs. of ice cubes per day, allowing you to meet the needs of any number of guests.
Blender
An Ideal Appliance For: Sauce fanatics and people who like frozen drinks
Ideas: There is nothing like sipping on a well-blended frozen drink on a hot summer day, but blenders aren't just for mixed drinks anymore! There are a lot of recipes for barbecue and various other sauces and side dishes that call for a blender. Having a blender on hand this Memorial Day will make sure that you’re prepared for anything.
Pizza Oven
An Ideal Appliance For: Large families that need a lot of food
Ideas: If you have a lot of mouths to feed this Memorial Day, consider getting an outdoor pizza oven. Pizza always tastes better when it's made at home, and getting a pizza oven with a high capacity will enable you to feed more people more efficiently than you can with a grill or stove. This outdoor pizza oven from the Forno Venezia Torino Series is countertop-mounted and wood-fueled. Its designer chimney cap will be the centerpiece of your outdoor kitchen, and its recessed built-in thermometer ensures perfectly cooked pizza every time.
Smoker
An Ideal Appliance For: Meat lovers and barbecue fiends
Ideas: Smokers are designed for low-temperature, slow barbecue cooking, usually involving wood pellets or coal. Because of this, you can't expect to simply pop some ribs onto the smoker just before your guests show up. However, they impart a wonderfully smoky taste to a wide variety of foods, and they can be used to mouthwatering effect. Just look at this Asado smoker by Coyote: its 304 stainless steel and heat resistant ceramic construction means that it will last you years. Meanwhile, you can easily adjust the venting of the 254 sq. in. cooking area, allowing you to fully customize the smoking experience.
Air Conditioner
An Ideal Appliance For: Families in warmer climates
Ideas: Everybody needs an escape from the heat. You can set up all the amenities of an outdoor kitchen, but sometimes your guests are going to need to go indoors. The best way to ensure their comfort when heading inside is to set up a high-quality air conditioner in the main living area of your home. If you don't have a large central air conditioning system, don't despair: there are many wall-mounted and window-mounted units that are perfectly customizable for any house. Take this Friedrich air conditioner from the WallMaster Series. With its antimicrobial air filter, it can keep your air clean as well as cool, and with its Wi-Fi connectivity, you can control it using the included remote control, your smartphone, Google Assistant, or Amazon Alexa.
Beverage Center
An Ideal Appliance For: Large get-togethers of people
Ideas: Sometimes, ice buckets just aren't enough to keep your drinks cool. Maybe you don't already have an ice maker, or maybe you just don't want to deal with puddles and wet cans. That's where beverage centers come in. Whether you choose an outdoor beverage center or an indoor one, you can find one that will hold all the drinks you need and keep them at the perfect temperature to boot. It isn't just alcoholic beverages, either: a beverage center can hold drinks for the entire extended family, all together.
Fire Pit
An Ideal Appliance For: People who intend to keep the party going all night long
Ideas: A fire pit makes an excellent centerpiece of any outdoor setup, and there are lots of fire pits on the market today that don't have stringent installation requirements. Many fire pits can also double as tables, allowing your Memorial Day guests to sit around the fire long into the night. This Outdoor GreatRoom fire pit from the Montego Series is unique and versatile, providing perfect durability for extended outdoor use. In particular, the Crystal Fire® Plus Burner allows for a perfectly adjustable flame height, and the tempered black glass top reflects the flames for added visual appeal.
Ice Cream Maker
An Ideal Appliance For: Families with small children, or anyone who has a sweet tooth
Ideas: Ice cream makers are a great addition to nearly any household, especially when there are children involved. It's actually quite easy to make unique and memorable ice cream flavors, and you can even get the kids to join in. If you want something patriotic, try making ice cream in red, white, and blue colors. (Cinnamon candy is a popular red flavor for homemade ice cream, and you can't go wrong with blue raspberry when it comes time to make blue ice cream.)
Outdoor TV
An Ideal Appliance For: Sports fans, entertainment junkies, and anybody with an extensive outdoor living area
Ideas: It isn't Memorial Day without some kind of sports event being on the television. Consider an outdoor TV so that your guests don't have to cram into your living room to watch the big game.
Related Questions
What is the traditional Memorial Day dinner?
In general, if you can cook it on a barbecue grill, you can make it work for Memorial Day. Burgers and steaks are popular options, as are hot dogs. Don't forget side dishes such as coleslaw, pasta salad, and potato salad.
What is the most popular food to put on a grill?
Steak is by far the most popular meat item to grill, while corn is the most popular vegetable to grill.