curator decide independently which topics and products we feature. When you purchase an item through our links, we may earn a commission. Promotions and products are subject to availability and retailer terms.
Let’s be honest: keeping food cold outside in the summer is one of those things we all know we have to do right… and then the sun comes out, the patio fills up, and the potato salad has been sitting on the table for two hours. Yes!
Health Canada estimates that about 4 million Canadians get a foodborne illness each year, and summer is the highest risk window. Bacteria can double in just 20 minutes after food reaches the “danger zone” between 4°C and 60°C. When it’s over 30°C outside (which is basically every afternoon in July) you only have an hour before the perishables are thrown away.
Good news: you don’t need to rethink your hosting routine. You just need the right tools for the right kind of day. Here are six I recommend for any summer scenario.
1. Stylish side table cooler that doesn’t look like a cooler
If you’ve ever spent a Saturday night staring at a giant blue plastic cooler in the middle of your yard, this one’s for you. The Veradek Cooler Side Table is a 2-in-1 outdoor side table with a cooler hidden inside. Flip top open, add ice and drink, twist closed. When not in use, it’s simply an elegant side table that can elevate any outdoor space. Holds up to 55 cans, keeps everything cold for 12 hours thanks to double-wall insulation, and is made in Canada! It’s constructed of a stone-plastic composite that’s all-weather, fade-resistant, and can be left outside year-round (I have one and can attest to that). The fact that it looks like a high-end designer table is a definite bonus.
2. Elevated way to serve cold food
Most of us have done some variation of this move: stick a few ice packs around the container, hope for the best, and walk away. First, it looks a little rough, and more importantly, it doesn’t really work. There are two purpose-built tools that fix this nicely.
The Inflatable Ice Serving Tray is a large tray that you blow up in seconds and fill with ice and if you’re imagining a small inflatable kiddie pool, this is it! it cradles and chills bottles, dips, snacks, fruit, shrimp dishes and anything that needs to stay cold at the point of serving. It looks like a bar-style structure and can also float, which makes it great for drinking by the lake or pool.
For smaller setups, the flavor and garnish tray is your bar cart or BBQ setup’s best friend. Chilled citrus, condiments, dips, cocktail garnishes… anything stays below 4°C and looks purposeful while staying fresh and safe to eat. This small investment will be used again and again this summer.
You may also like:
Outdoor Patio Storage Bag – $50.79
Veradek Umbrella Side Table – $126.99
Owala FreeSip Water Bottle – $41.99
3. The picnic cooler that doesn’t steal your power
You know the moment: standing in a beach or park parking lot, trying to figure out how you’re going to drag a cooler, a blanket, three kids, and a carrier bag across half a mile of sand.
The Rolling Cooler Backpack is the perfect hybrid solution: wheels for long flat stretches, backpack straps for stairs and rough terrain. Plus, it’s secluded for a full day of family fun and food. The cooler that comes with you is the cooler that keeps your food safe, and the one that stays in your trunk because it’s too annoying to carry doesn’t help anyone. If you are all about enjoying the outdoors (picnics, beaches, sports games…) and grabbing a bite along the way, this is definitely the best for you.
4. The Niche Hack Every day sports (especially a golfer!) needs
This is a pleasant surprise. Golf Bag Cooler Sleeves slip into a golf bag, sports bucket or beach bag and hold and insulate 6 cans or bottles. It’s the answer to that sweaty moment mid-game when your water has somehow turned into pasta water and you’d do anything for a cold drink. This is especially great for golfers, soccer parents, beachgoers, and anyone who spends long hours outside without an obvious more convenient place to cool things down.
5. Improving the science that works in every cooler you own
Regular ice has three problems: it melts, makes everything wet as soon as it’s made, and only gives you a few hours of cold before it turns into lukewarm water. It’s 2026 and I’m here to tell you there’s a much better way.
A reusable cooling sheet is a flexible mat that you freeze overnight and lay out in any cooler. It uses Phase Change Material (PCM) technology, the same science used in pharmaceutical and food logistics. Instead of melting, PCM stays at a specific cold temperature for hours, then refreezes when you put it back in the fridge. You’ve probably used a version of this in kids’ lunch bags. They are excellent. You can even place this flat on a table to keep food fresh while it’s out. The result: cooling approximately 3–5 times longer than ice, no water, no wet food, no mess. It works with every other product on this list, making it a super smart upgrade.
You may also like:
Large Resin Planter Pot – $39.99
Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 Portable Power Station – $649
© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
