Summer and the holidays are in full swing: whether on holiday on the Baltic and North Seas, camping in the countryside or for leisure on the balcony, REWIND offers suggestions for little helpers that will make it even more fun. Not always necessary, but nice to have.
The weather is a bitch. After a few days of heat wave in June, which made being outside quite unpleasant, the summer has largely faded away, at least here in northern Germany. July has been frustrating so far with lots of rain, wind and temperatures well below 20 degrees. My condolences to everyone who booked a vacation on the North Sea or Baltic Sea at exactly this time. But as we all know, hope dies last and summer is just returning. At least the temperatures will be summery again this weekend. The rain is getting warmer, as we say here. Or another classic saying in Northern Germany: It’s getting light back there.
When the weather is right, all kinds of outdoor activities can be made even more enjoyable with a few small, practical gadgets. In the following I would like to introduce you to a few outdoor helpers, which should only be seen as a suggestion. Not as a concrete recommendation from my own experience. (Except for the steak knives, which are a clear recommendation.)
Have fun browsing through this summer season issue! And always give us your own suggestions and recommendations.
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Gadget #1: For garden stools and camping experts who like to stay comfortably on the terrace or in/under the awning until late at night, cozy lighting creates a nicer ambience. Thanks to LED technology and modern batteries, the extendable BougeRV CL04 camping lamp is recommended for this purpose.
With an integrated 15600mAh battery and three swiveling and rotating light arms, this lamp can be used both on the table and extended as a floor lamp. With either direct or indirect light. However, when folded up, the lamp is completely transportable and can even be used as a flashlight.
If only one light field is switched on economically, the lamp can be used for up to 60 hours or a whole week with 8 hours per night without recharging. The price of currently around 64 euros appears to be extremely cheap. As with many of the gadgets presented here, there are of course similar alternatives.
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Gadget #2: The little flamethrower. A real men’s toy is this “long storm lighter”, which is somewhat reminiscent of a lightsaber from Star Wars. With a length of 20 cm, the fire stick, which can be refilled with butane, is suitable for various occasions. From lighting charcoal or a campfire to refining the crème brûlée.
The Stormproof Flame can be adjusted in length and – attention! – change in color, which also influences the firing temperature. Similar to the welding torch. The 20 cm fire starter costs around 15 euros.
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Gadget #3: Bluetooth grill thermometer. This gadget species has definitely proven itself in recent years. Not just for barbecue enthusiasts, but for hobby and professional chefs in many situations, including use in the smoker for days on end.
Small “nails” with integrated temperature sensors are inserted into the food and then send the core and outside temperatures to an app and/or an associated display. As is the case with the ThermoMaven P2, which comes with two or four probes in a set. A suitable app for iOS or Android is of course included. A really useful gadget that is currently available with a discount coupon for around 80 euros. There are also many alternatives to this. – YourChoice!
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Gadget #4: Steak knife for connoisseurs. This is a very personal recommendation. Treat yourself and your loved ones to a good set of steak knives. And I mean really good Steak knife. You can only get sharp with cheap tin knives from the hardware store – at least for a while. But the true meat connoisseur wants to have all the senses served and is happy about elegant and perfectly crafted knives of the highest quality. The range here is huge. It ranges from a few euros to well over 1,000 euros, like the fantastic Swiss Damascus steak knife from SKnife, which is available in a set of two for under 2,000 euros. A craftsmanship and formal blacksmith work of art!
I recommend a compromise. This is once again a product from China, but the quality offered here for the money is really excellent. We’re talking about the XINZUO damascus steel steak knife set with four knives and a matching real wood knife holder for the drawer, which I recently treated myself to.
The detailed workmanship of the knives with the beautiful and very comfortable olive wood handle is perfect down to the last detail. In addition to the brightly polished damask pattern (73 layers around a 14Cr14MoVNb powder steel core with 63-64 HRC), this includes a finely rounded blade back, perfectly seamless transitions to the handle wood, and a finely rounded edge at the bottom of the finger guard.
The knives are sharp as hell and ground at a 15° angle. Razor sharp. And without a saw! Be sure to choose steak knives without a serrated edge. This only unnecessarily frays the meat and is only used for really tough meat. But nobody wants to eat them. And even through a tough steak, these knives go through like butter without a saw. With a really tender steak you hardly need to cut.
The set is also available without the knife holder for 40 euros less. But the beautiful flat block completes the overall package. The manufacturer also has various chef’s knives from the same series in its range, but unfortunately no matching forks.
In addition, you should treat yourself to a good cutting board for steaks, because even with 64 HRC, messing around with ceramic is counterproductive to the sharpness in the long run. It also somehow tastes better from wood!
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Gadget #5: After the barbecue enjoyment comes the cozy part of the evening. For northern European terrace and balcony dwellers, it can get quite chilly at night, even in midsummer. A little cozy warmth from a “brain grill” can help. Like this lamp-style electric patio heater.
Yes, that costs a lot of electricity. The “heat lamp” has an output of 1,500 watts. In times of sustainably self-generated wind and solar power, this should be possible. And it’s probably healthier than a smoking fire basket.
The heater offers three modes: 800W low heat output; 1,200 W heating output; 2,000 W high heating output. The spotlight currently changes hands for just under 90 euros.
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Gadget #6: A versatile camping light in a classic style. I had already introduced her in REWIND, but she fits in well with society here, so I can mention her again. We’re talking about the NATURBUMMLER camping lamp.
The lamp, which matches the look and style of the retro radio above, offers adjustable light output between 15 and 450 lumens, adjustable light color and has a 5200 mAh battery, the capacity of which can also be used as a power bank via a USB port. The lamp is currently available on Amazon and in the Naturbummler online shop for around 37 euros.
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Gadget #7: Now things get a little cheesy. The drink coasters in the form of 3.5-inch floppy disks are a pretty nerdy gimmick. But it might go down quite well at the barbecue party.
Honestly, I have no idea if they’re any good. Especially since they aren’t really cheap at around 30 euros. But hopefully they provide a better base for glasses and bottles than the remaining stocks of real 3.5 floppy disks from the basement. – Consider this suggestion as “filler.”
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Gadget #8: Bosch 16-in-1 multi-tool. A universal tool for home and garden never hurts and might also be suitable as a small souvenir for the host of the next garden party.
The men’s toy from Bosch, equipped with 16 different functions such as pliers, screwdriver, knife and saw, comes with a storage bag and has a soft grip. It’s yours for currently 23 euros.