Cool gadgets and gear for your Fourth of July barbecue
This Independence Day, Americans across the nation will pledge allegiance to the flag and pay respect to our servicemen and women. Then they鈥檒l聽dress in stars and stripes, and head outside for some barbecue before watching a fireworks display.
If you鈥檙e feeling festive, we found an assortment of gadgets and gear that will make your holiday more entertaining, more relaxing 鈥� and yes, way cooler.
American flag barbecue mitt
This heat-resistant silicone mitt from聽聽has an American flag-inspired design and retails for less than $10. It comes in white or blue, so you can pick the version that matches your style 鈥� or your apron.
Star-spangled spatula
An American flag-emblazoned spatula won鈥檛 make your barbecue聽taste better, but it鈥檒l sure make you look the part of a聽patriotic host or hostess. And when you鈥檙e done dishing out burgers, it鈥檚 dishwasher-safe. This kitchen tool comes聽in blue or red and costs $9.99 at聽.
American flag inflatable cooler
This red, white and blue cooler from聽聽has a 16.5-inch diameter space that you can聽fill with ice and drinks, and it鈥檒l cost you only $12.48.
American flag grill cover
Want your barbecue to look patriotic even when it鈥檚 not in use? This American flag grill cover is designed to fit most standard to large gas grills, at 68.5-inches long by 35.25-inches wide by 21.25-inches high. Buy it for $14.97 from聽.
American flag speaker fanny pack
You鈥檒l hear 鈥淭he Star-Spangled Banner鈥� loud and clear as it blasts through this American flag fanny pack, which doubles as a聽Bluetooth-enabled speaker. You can purchase it聽for $69.95 from聽.
Grill sergeant barbecue聽apron
Take charge of your patriotic grilling party by donning a camouflage apron. This one costs $19.99 and is聽covered with plentiful聽pockets including those for ketchup bottles and soda cans. It also has an adjustable strap, making it a fit for grill sergeants of almost all sizes. Check it out on聽.
Bald eagle swimming pool float
Pool floaties are trendy this summer, and the more elaborate, the better. This particular inflatable raft measures 8 feet in length, can fit up to two people, and is shaped like a bald eagle. It鈥檚 available for $44.99 from聽.
Bluetooth patio umbrella speaker light
Oh say can you see 鈥� by the light of this umbrella speaker.聽聽sells this $59.99 Bluetooth patio umbrella speaker that doubles as a light and is ideal for entertaining. Fit it聽around the top of your umbrella pole and enjoy its LED light coupled with its dual three-watt speakers, which are compatible with smartphones and tablets within up to a 100-foot wireless range. The device can provide up to eight consecutive hours of music and light.
Still need additional party essentials? Keep an eye out for Fourth of July sales.聽聽in the final few days before the holiday.
Courtney Jespersen is a staff writer at NerdWallet, a personal finance website. Email:courtney@nerdwallet.com. Twitter:聽.
This article first appeared at .
