I love a big cottage meal as much as the next guy. But when I’m on the dock, the last thing I want is to be stuck babysitting a grill or fussing over a soggy burger bun. That’s why I’m always hunting for ways to cook smarter, not harder. And when I find gear that helps me pull off flavour-packed meals faster, easier, and with fewer dishes, I’m all in!
Over the last couple of summers, I’ve dialled in some go-to grilling hacks using my favourite Ninja gear. These aren’t fancy tricks or chef secrets—just real, practical moves that help me impress guests, save time, and stay outside where the action is.
Whether you’re hosting a crowd or just want to up your weekend BBQ game, here are my top tricks for becoming a cottage grill legend.
Smash burgers, spiedini, and the “beer rule”
When I want to wow my guests, I go straight to smash burgers. That crispy crust, the juicy centre—people go wild. And for something snackable, I’ll skewer up some spiedini: little grilled bits of meat or veggies. They cook quickly, look impressive, and keep the party moving.
And here’s my number-one grilling rule: go low and slow, and have a beer (or two). Rushing never helps. Relax, give the grill time to do its thing, and enjoy the ride.
How I use my Ninja FlexFlame™ (for literally every meal)
It’s pretty typical for me to cook every single weekend meal on my Ninja FlexFlame™. This thing does it all. It’s got the heat, the control, and the non-stick surface to handle everything from pancakes to pork chops.
And yeah, I’m obsessed with turning it into a pizza station. I pop in a pizza stone, preheat it for 15 minutes, and crank out crispy, perfectly cooked pies in minutes. (Pro tip: prep your toppings ahead so you’re not scrambling while your crust is baking.)
When I want to level things up even more, I toss in a handful of cherry or hickory pellets for that subtle smoky flavour, especially on wings. People always ask how I get that “campfire” taste. That’s the secret.
Why my cooler’s doing more than keeping drinks cold
My Ninja FrostVault™ Cooler is like the Swiss Army knife of dockside chilling. Sure, it keeps stuff cold all day, but it also has a genius feature I love: the Dry Zone drawer. I stash my burger buns in there to keep them dry and fresh, even when the cooler’s full of melting ice.
I’ve even used it as a warming drawer for brisket and ham. Wrapped in foil, they stay warm for hours while I get the rest of dinner sorted. And when I’m packing for a full day out? I layer like a champ: ice and drinks on the bottom, meat and snacks in the middle, buns and cookies up top. Boom—sorted.
Flawless meat, every time
The Ninja ProChef™ Wireless Thermometer is my grilling secret weapon. I used to eyeball everything, but now I just pop in the probe, close the lid, and wait for the alert. I can wander off, hang with guests, maybe toss a frisbee, and then come back right when my stick hits the perfect temp.
It’s especially clutch for burgers. I go for about 160°F, then let them rest a few minutes. I’ve even used it for fish, reheated ribs, and (don’t judge me) a cheesecake. It’s that good.
Sunset drinks, dockside smoothies
I keep my Ninja Blast Max™ in arm’s reach at all times. This thing is cordless, compact, and just straight-up fun to use. In the morning, I’ll fire up a banana protein smoothie after a quick workout. On the dock later? It’s margarita time. And guests are always shocked when I blend on the boat. “Wait … is that battery-powered?” You bet it is!
Coach’s rapid-fire hacks
Surprising grilling go-to? Wings. Fast, foolproof, always a hit.
Favourite grill ingredient? Spiedini. Just … spiedini.
What’s always in my FrostVault™? Cold beers. And too many snacks.
Most “Cottage Coach” move? Pulling off a dockside pizza so good that people ask how I got delivery at the cottage.
Want to step up your cottage-cooking game?
Grilling doesn’t have to be a chore. With the right gear and a few smart tricks, it’s fast, fun, and seriously impressive. If you’re ready to upgrade your outdoor setup, check out the full Ninja lineup at ninjakitchen.ca, and find out why it’s better outside with Ninja!