7 Game-Changing Cooking Tools That Make Weeknights Feel Like Weekends

Here’s something we hope you’re saying to yourself a lot, especially for weeknight meals, this year: “I deserve it.”

It’s a simple phrase, right? But we’ve all been bereft of vacations, family time and the like for a year-plus. Now that everything is opening up, like a flower turning its face to the light, you deserve little breaks wherever you can locate them. Think: wood-fired pizza for dinner, in a few minutes. An espresso machine reminiscent of your favorite Paris café. Shish kebab and s’mores you can concoct without leaving the table. Amazing.

Here are a few of our favorite things—the ones that make Tuesdays feel like blissful Saturdays.

1. Movie Night Popcorn

You’re a grown-up. No one is the boss of you. Every night can be movie night. You just need popcorn. Don’t fuss with the stove; it’s hot out. Plug this bad boy in, add a bit of oil and some corn kernels, and six cups of popping-hot popcorn are all yours. It comes in red or blue, because you deserve a gadget you love the looks of, too.

2. Bartesian Premium Cocktails on Demand

“Movie night?!” We could hear your scoffing from here. You are the consummate host, always entertaining, and movie night is what you pull off while you’re brushing your teeth. You’re more of a “Tropical Tiki Tuesday” party host, or a “wood-fired pizza Wednesday.” (Keep reading!) For you, super-host, there is this cocktail robot from the future. Master mixologists developed recipes for whiskey sours, margaritas, Old Fashioneds and more. Bartesian premium cocktails on demand ensure that you actually have fun at your own party. Press a button, shake some hands, kiss some babies, come back to collect the drink, and hand it off to your amazed friend.

3. Ooni Koda 16 Pizza Oven

Still reading, super-host? Good. The cute, effective Ooni Koda 16 pizza oven is just two feet square, can perch on a heatproof surface, and will cook your pie in 60 foxy, fiery seconds. (Hello, it’s 932 degrees in there!) Be careful with your guest list, because once word gets around about this sucker—there’s a reason all its reviews are five-star—all the RSVPs will be “yes.”

4. Havana Fire Bowl

It’s getting hot in here… and it’s just you. If you’re the sort of person for whom summer is way too short, and you wished those long nights went forever, there are fire pits. Specifically, the Havana fire pit. Why covet the trip to the oontz-oontz hotel with fire pits when you can have your own year-round? It extends the night. Power it with natural gas or propane, get the s’mores fixings ready, and figure out your cabana/ fire pit outfit.

5. Portable Traeger Ranger Tabletop Grill

“What if you could barbecue everywhere you went?” Ask the question of your favorite grill-head, and see if the concept has occurred to them yet. If not, you just made their decade. The Traeger Ranger comes with a handle, you can tell them. That means you’re tailgating with it, you’re camping with it, you’re letting it drive the RV, if it comes down to it. Smoke, bake, roast, braise, grill and BBQ on the go; life is good.

6. Breville Barista Touch Espresso Maker

Weeknight mornings can be as hard as weeknight evenings. Make them better. It’s about the little things, like quality croissants and granola and a great cup of joe. The Breville Barista Touch Espresso Maker helps you forget that the kid is screaming, the dog is going bananas, and the guy coming to fix the thing never showed up. Make coffee and espresso on the same machine. Today can be a great day.

7. Waffles for Whenever

As is true of having cold cuts handy, there’s something about realizing you can have pancakes or waffles any time that’s the sort of breath of fresh air that can help you make it to Friday. Savory waffles are a thing. You deserve them. This Breville waffle maker is yet another bestseller. Feed the whole crew at once. Dinner is done. Cleanup is easy. Ahhhh. The weekend is back again. Happy summer.