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Because you need to know how to cook *and* entertain to reach champ status.

I am a "Judy" of all trades who writes about pretty much everything, but specializes in sexual wellness, personal care, plus-size fashion, maximalist home goods, and gnarly before and after pics!

Promising review: "We have used Thermacell for about two years, and it is a great product. My skin doesn't do well with applied repellent, so I was motivated to try a different strategy. I am astounded at how completely Thermacell repels mosquitoes and other flying insects — like black flies and deer flies. We were in very thick mosquitoes last summer in MI, and could sit/eat/work outside the camper or at the beach without being bothered. The only time it doesn't work well is when it is windy (but the bugs don't bother as much), so we position ourselves under a windbreak. Have to watch the fuel level so we don't run out — which we've done a few times, and we immediately notice it because the bugs are back! Thermacell is DEFINITELY worth the money." —A. Nichols

Get it from Amazon for $22.93+ (available in five colors).

Lillie's of Charleston is a Black- and family-owned small biz based in South Carolina that bottles and sells their award-winning sauces and spice mixes inspired by Sunday dinners at Aunt Lillie's house. 

Promising reviews: "Delectable. Someone bought this for us as a gift a few months ago. I used it for the first time as a rub on some chicken drumsticks, and everyone LOVED it. So I used it a few more times to keep some drumsticks in the fridge as a staple. We ran out so fast, so I HAD to buy another one." —Charisma

"This is THE BEST BBQ sauce I've ever tasted. Warning: If you don't like spicy, you won't like this! But I LOVE THIS 🤩 AND GIVE 100,000/10 stars! It's smoky, it's spicy, it's sweet. I add this stuff to literally everything. Sandwiches, Persian food, pizza, pasta, you name it, it's good!" —T.Krug

Get it from Amazon for $11.62 (available in hot or mild). 

The set includes one large gurger turner, one small spatula, one large slotted spatula, one long slotted spatula, a griddle flipper, a slotted turner, a griddle press, one pair of tongs, one basting brush, a chopping tool, two spice shakers, two squeeze bottles, four egg rings, a cleaning brush, 10 S-hooks, one meat knife, a carrying bag, and two basting covers.

Promising reviews: "Although some pieces I may have a hard time finding a use for, the value of this set has paid for itself. The spatulas and slicer are well worth it. The storage bag is very nice and sits perfectly on the shelf of my Blackstone, so it’s out of the way when not in use. Have used for months now and all are holding up well." —Sara Townley

"Why go eat at an expensive restaurant when you can bring the functionality and goodness to your house? This set of tools is perfect for your griddle or flat top grill. We love hosting hibachi night at our house with this variety of tools. They are easy to clean. Great size with a nice storage case! Excellent value!!!!! Couldn’t recommend more! We use these all the time." —TayTayMcXXIV

Psst — the handles are removable, so you can also just toss these baskets on the grill and leave them to smoke on their own!

Promising review: "These work amazingly, great for grilling small stuff like shrimp and veggies. No worrying about scraping a tray and flipping over... just turn as they cook" —Farron Vanover

The lid features a built-in chopper and fits the storage container, so everything drops inside after prepping! Check out a TikTok of the veggie chopper in action. 

Fullstar is a small business that specializes in unique and functional kitchen gadgets.

Promising review: "This is one of my absolute favorite kitchen tools! This is right up there with my stand mixer. I save hours a week using this for dinner prep. I HATE cutting up veggies for dinner, and this makes it fast and fun! I can’t believe I didn’t buy one years ago. This is worth every penny. Easy to use, and I can just throw it in the dishwasher for cleanup. I’m obsessed. I will be buying these as gifts. This is an absolute must-have for everyone." —Reviewer

Get the 4-in-1 chopper from Amazon for $26.99+ (available in four colors and five other styles).

Promising review: "This product is amazing. I used it for my chicken and dumplings recipe. I figured it was another one of those 'too good to be true' items, but this does everything it says it does. I literally shredded two large chicken breasts in seconds, yes SECONDS!! I wish I had taken a video, but I didn’t. It didn’t move/slip from the counter, and it was perfection! Wow, just Wow!" —Ruthie K Voss

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in 11 colors).

Promising review: "This digital meat thermometer is the best I've ever had. I own others, but they are either too bulky to fit in the drawer or too hard to read. This one is small and lightweight; it's easy to pull out the probe and very easy to read the temperature. I purchased several as stocking stuffers for Christmas. They make a gift that will be appreciated for its size and ease of use, but most importantly, it will be a gift that gets used instead of put away in the closet." —Kat29

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in two colors).

Promising review: "We have four of these knives, and I can't get enough of them. We use them daily in our kitchen, and we just bought enough to give as Christmas gifts. An unbeatable knife for the price." —DrFabulous

Get it from Amazon for $15.55+ (available in two styles).

Promising review: "I use this while resting smoked meat. It keeps all the juices intact but doesn’t affect the meat temperature. Works slick." —PeidmontMac

Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in three sizes).

And if you spill some soda or food on these cards, just wipe them off!

Promising review: "These playing cards are a HIT. I take them out with me for social events, when visiting people, and even to the beach. We just play and play. So you can get them wet, and they won't get soggy and tear, just become a little hard to shuffle. It is so cool that they look like you can see right through them, but you can't." —Tabitha

Promising review: "I have purchased several sets of tongs for my husband for grilling over the past few years. It is difficult to find tongs that are long enough and sturdy enough for grilling a lot. These are the best I’ve found. The longer ones are very good for grilling on a large grill when you need to reach across the heat. The grips are good, and the locking mechanism works well. I think the best of all is the gripping end of the tongs. They grip food pieces, large and small, very well. They also clean up very well. I will be buying more of these as Christmas gifts." —CAgrios

Promising reviews: "Took a while to assemble, but the quality is very good for the cost. Cooks excellently." —Timothy

The stainless steel surface is 28 inches wide and features a foldable side shelf for 14 more inches of space, as well as paper towel and garbage bag holders for convenience.

Promising review: "Ideal movable table for outdoor cooking." —Tom

The neck fan is USB-C rechargeable, so you could even juice it up with a portable power bank when you're on the go!

Promising review: "This fan works so well! I was worried about how hot it is in the South that it wouldn't keep me cool when I go on walks in 90+ degree temps, but on the strongest wind setting, it produces a nice blast of air! I love it! It does make it hard to hear, but it's worth it to keep me cool. Would recommend." —Aaron Johnson

Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in three colors).

Promising review: "These are microwaveable and light to carry. Love the colors. Wish they were available in just one color, but I can’t complain. I primarily bought these for microwave purposes. But it can be used for salads, hot soup, etc. Also, it’s an in-between size, like a medium. Just right for me." —M. Zolnosky

Get a set of four from Amazon for $9.95 (also available as bowls!). 

Promising review: "These gloves are exactly what I needed. I cook a lot on a BBQ outdoors, and I cook with cast iron in my kitchen. These gloves allow me to handle hot pans and grates more easily than with potholders. These will become an integral part of my cooking routine from here on out." —Amazon Customer

Get a pair from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in five sizes). 

These oven mitts offer protection up to 450 degrees F.

Promising reviews: "Great and the only oven mitts I use now. Easy to clean, very safe, and I never felt any heat coming through. Love that they are long and have nonslip grips, too. Have thrown all other old pairs of cloth mitts away!" —Monica

"Very grippy, waterproof, insulating, easy to clean, protects my arms from burns. A little stiffer than cloth, but that doesn't seem to be any more of a problem than with cloth mitts. What I like the most is that as soon as the mitts get dirty, I can wash them at the kitchen sink as easily as I wash my hands, and I can immediately use them again since they still insulate when wet." —C Luce

Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in seven colors, bundles, and two sizes).

Promising review: "A game changer for outdoor gatherings! This portable patio cooler on wheels is built to last and is easy to move. The built-in bottle opener is a convenient addition, and the efficient drainage system keeps things tidy. With ample storage space, it keeps drinks cold for hours. Plus, its versatile design doubles as a side table." —R. Gabriel

Get it from Amazon for $149.99+ (available in three colors).

Promising review: "The meat came out with a nice salted crust, and the salt block kept the meat juicy and moist. I wouldn’t grill any other way if I could! When it’s not in use, it’s a good table centerpiece." —Just Someone

Get it from Amazon for $49.99+ (available in two sizes).

Promising reviews: "This is a must-have in my kitchen. I use it almost daily. It’s great for chopping onions, peppers, and garlic. I make small batches of salsa, and it works great." —Carla Fernandez

"Great little food processor! I've made pesto and hummus with it so far, and I love it. I live alone, so the size is perfect for my needs. Makes several servings of whatever I'm making and comes with a few recipes in the instruction manual to get started." —Peter Tracy

Get it from Amazon for $39.95+ (available in three colors).

Promising review: "Oh Michael, what can be said about your most hot of honeys that has yet to be said? My tongue yearns for the sweet burn, as my mouth opens almost on its own in anticipation of this honey. I've spent days, nay, weeks obsessing over the feeling of the honey, drizzling into my mouth and down my chin, as I try so desperately to lap up every last drop of this sweet, spicy, and undoubtedly succulent honey. The honey has nearly consumed my entire life as I cannot prepare a dish without looking into the pantry longingly, wondering if this honey will improve yet another unexpected food item (it always does), and bring me endless joy and satisfaction. I have nary a doubt that if you, a fellow consumer, purchase this tantalizing, appetizing, incredibly satisfying honey, you will NOT regret it. Please, I beg of you, do yourself a favor and put this on every food item you shove down your gullet for the rest of your life. Sincerely, Michelle Hot Honey." —yeehaw dandy

Promising reviews: "This is my second purchase of this product in seven years. The last one is still functioning, just a bit beat up, so I ordered a new one. Love the fine cooling mist during the 100-plus degrees here in Arizona. We have used these on trampolines and patios. Can't believe how well they hold up to the sun, heat, and abuse. Absolutely no problems with the construction or function of this mister." —CindySuz

"I love spending time outside, and we entertain on our patio, too. But when it's over 100 degrees outside, nobody feels like visiting. Until now!! I bought one and liked it so much I ordered another to cover both patios. They lower the temps to a more moderate level in just moments and don't use 100 gallons of water doing it! I put mine along the top of our privacy fence, and then put a fan behind it, and made it almost like having an AC unit outside. They're easy to put up and take down, and come with convenient hanging hooks! I read the reviews people wrote about the heads getting stopped up, and they WILL, but as a plumber, I'll tell you a trick to keeping them working like new: vinegar. Just remove the heads and soak them in a little straight vinegar, then use a small bristle brush like a toothbrush or nail brush, rinse them off, and replace them in the mister tubing, and they should be like brand new." —Sonya Combs

Get it from Amazon for $15.26+ (available in multipacks).

And guess what?! The mister even includes an interchangeable flower-shaped misting head for a more whimsical look.

Promising reviews: "These are wonderful little misters. We have had them for a couple of years now and use them nearly daily for about four months straight each year. All you need is a very tiny, tiny trickle from the faucet to make them mist. They work really well. Great for dogs that are outdoors in the warmer weather, in the shade, it helps to create a cooler environment, similar to how a swamp cooler feels. We have three and have them hooked up to a three-way adapter, which works really well. They are very bendable, usually put a foot on one end, while using hands to twist the other end into a better position." —Trees

"We moved from New Hampshire to Florida a year and a half ago. I knew Florida was hot, but…I bought this so I could sit out on the lanai on the hottest of days (95+), and it did the trick! It provides a nice light mist that you can move in any direction. It’s a nice weight, so it doesn’t move. It obviously cannot replace a swimming pool, but it will keep you cool. My dog likes the light mist and has even fallen asleep while being sprayed! An easy alternative until we get a pool! Buy it, you won’t regret it!" —Patricia Harty

Promising review: "I honestly LOVE these two trays. I use the red for the 'raw' meat when I'm taking it to the grill, and the black one for the cooked meat to put on it. It's only my husband and me, however, when we cook, we cook enough to have leftovers for a few meals apiece, so we cook a good amount of food at a time, and when going to the grill, these are a great size to take out, the meat on, and bring it back after cooking. Absolutely love them and would be willing to pick up again if we decide to get more!!" —B & K White

Get a set of two from Amazon for $29.99.

Promising review: "These seem to be of great quality. They're holding up to our kabob cooking, which is pretty often. We absolutely love the slider that removes the meat and veggies. No more using a fork and hearing that awful metal-on-metal sound or your fingers! They wash well, and I love the holder to keep them from accidental stabbings during storage. Don't ask, it happens to the best of us that are in a hurry and don't pay enough attention to what we're doing. Anyhoo, worth the purchase!" —Mommy-Mom-Bruh

Get a set of six from Amazon for $26.97.

The kit includes a travel case, a stainless-steel syringe barrel, three differently designed needles for puncturing all kinds of meat or poultry, a basting brush, four spare O-rings, and three cleaning brushes of different sizes.

Promising review: "If you, like me, have been using those plastic basters that come with the injection juice, you're missing out. This thing is industrial, has many different ejection-flow attachments, and just feels like quality. My entire family was scared because once that tip goes on this thing looks like a monster syringe out of the movies. But functionally, it is sound and works as expected. Great buy." —Sean Gately

Get it from Amazon for $15.19+ (available in two styles).

The Ninja Slushi can hold up to 88 ounces of liquid and features five preset programs and temperature control to adjust thickness. All beverages need some form of sugar (like honey, coconut sugar, or products made with syrup or fruit juice), alcohol, or the sugar-free substitute allulose to properly slush!

Promising review: "This is a need and not a want. If you have been debating getting one or have seen any reviews with smiles across social media, just go ahead. We've had our machine since mid-February, and it's being used daily, even if it's cold out. So far, I've made both sugar-infused, sugar-free, and adult drinks without issue... The possibilities are endless with this machine. From Coke slushies to margaritas to milkshakes to frappés to frozen electrolyte drinks. It's for the entire family, from young to old. Great machine for everyday use, around the pool in the summer, or even at parties. It's not as big as you think, either... The footprint is thinner than my mixer and just a tad bit taller and deeper. It's an appliance that can stay out on the counter." —Jennifer F.

Get a set of two from Wayfair for $36.99+ (originally $45; available in two colors)

Each stone is good for up to two deep cleanings or 6–8 maintenance cleanings.

Promising review: "Completely restored my 3-year-old grill grates. This product did the job so efficiently. Will definitely be keeping it on hand for as-needed cleaning. Would recommend cleaning in a deep sink so you can rinse the stone residue off as you go. You cannot use this at the grill without rinsing, as the stone gets smaller as you go. Worth the price!" —hbinoc

Get it from Amazon for $5.79 (also available in packs).

Promising review: "This product makes grilling and cleanup so amazingly easy that I now have the newfound confidence to grill more. I'm a vegetarian, so I grill lots of veggies, tofu, and other vegan treats that require the use of a grilling mat." —V. Thompson

Get a set of six from Amazon for $13.59+ (available in two sizes, two colors, and sets of eight, 10, and 12).

Each tray is nonstick and dishwasher-friendly. Not to mention, you can remove them individually if you have different cook times, and they'll definitely come in handy to avoid ingredient cross-contamination. Grab the lids here for easy storing in the fridge or freezer!

Prep'd is a small business founded by two industrial engineers with a mission to make cooking simple, easy, and fun.

Promising review: "I LOVE THESE. I’m one of those people who loves to cook but hates touching food. Wasted a LOT of aluminum foil, and still ew. These I use almost daily." —Megan Burnett

Get a set of four from Amazon for $34.99. 

These are vegetarian and include a mix of spice rubs, salts, and seasonings.

Promising review: "These are awesome! Super cute presentation and well-made box. The bottles are all unique flavors. Many of them are different salt mixes, so they can be used with different proteins or even potatoes. Lots of herb mixes, plus spicy and BBQ. This is a total win." —Melacha

And of course, an outdoor projector for screening!

Promising review: "I love the size and the fact that it takes five minutes to set up and five minutes to take down. Very portable and lightweight to carry. Very sturdy. I would highly recommend." —Kathi

Get it from Amazon for $99.94+ (also available in a 120-inch size).

BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.

Reviews for this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.