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Unique Outdoor Cooking Ideas: What Gear to Get & What Types of Food to Try

February 03, 2025

A Picnic Table in a Backyard

With a variety of outdoor cooking techniques in your repertoire, you can turn ordinary meals into unforgettable celebrations. There’s something special about preparing and enjoying good food with good people under the sun. Not only does the food taste better, but there’s a sense of comradery as you work together to make the food and then finally dig in.

Cooking outdoors is more than a trend—it's tradition. While outdoor cooking methods have evolved over generations, the essence remains the same: applying heat to ingredients in creative ways. Whether you're mastering crawfish boils or grilling up BBQ favorites, the possibilities are endless.

Louisiana’s Culinary Influence

If you’re seeking outdoor cooking ideas, Louisiana sure is a great place to start! Beyond the standard backyard cookouts, the Pelican State is world-famous for its rich Cajun and Creole culinary traditions. From the iconic Louisiana crawfish boil to festive Mardi Gras street fare, one can simply follow their nose to find delicious cuisine and the welcoming locals who prepared it.

Pro Tip: If you're planning a crawfish boil, check out our Step-by-Step Crawfish Boil Guide for expert tips and techniques.

Essential Outdoor Cooking Gear

Grills, smokers, and cast iron pots are classic staples for outdoor cooking. However, we highly recommend incorporating a propane jet burner into your setup. It’s an incredibly versatile tool that can accommodate a wide range of cooking options, including boiling, deep frying, and even grilling.

Why the propane triple jet cooker stands out: 

  • Performance-Driven Power: High PSIs with three independent flames for rapid heating. 
  • Energy-Efficient: Uses approximately 30% less propane per minute compared to traditional double jet burners. 
  • Durable & Portable: Built tough to handle all your outdoor adventures. 

Whatever outdoor cooking ideas you may have, whether you're boiling, frying, or grilling, the Triple Jet Burner makes every recipe faster, easier, and more flavorful.

Outdoor Cooking Techniques

Eggs in a Pot Over a Campfire

Need a little inspiration? Here are some tried-and-true suggestions for your next get-together.

Open Fire Cooking

Cooking food over an open fire is the most basic approach. While there’s a certain charm to it, there are other outdoor cooking methods that give you more control. For optimal results, you’ll need to use tools like a grill grate, pots, and pans to prevent overcooking.

Boiling and Frying

Boiling and frying usually take place in the kitchen, but a propane jet burner lets you bring those outdoor cooking ideas outside. A jet burner works just like a kitchen stove, only better. You have a great deal of control over the flames, allowing you to really fine-tune your approach.

Unique Foods to Cook Outdoors

There’s nothing wrong with burgers and hot dogs, but sometimes you’ll want to change it up. Here are some ideas to help you get creative with your meals.

Seafood Dishes

BBQ Favorites

  • Ribs 
  • Brisket
  • Smoked sausages

Gourmet Ideas

  • Paella
  • Jambalaya
  • Cobblers and other desserts

Of course, there are endless other outdoor cooking ideas to consider. And, if you have our Triple Jet Burner, you can recreate many of your favorite indoor recipes with the sunshine and breeze to enhance the experience.

Louisiana Heritage Meets Innovation

A Person Eating Crawfish

Our products are inspired by Louisiana's rich culinary traditions and outdoor cooking techniques, specifically the Cajun seafood boil. Designed with modern innovation, the Boil Boss products make outdoor cooking easier and more enjoyable.

Our mission when we invented our crawfish boil tools was to respect and honor Louisiana’s legacy while embracing technical innovation. Here’s how we took traditional outdoor cooking ideas and improved upon them.

  • The Boil Boss crawfish cooler doesn’t alter the fundamentals—it simply makes the cool-down process easier and more effective. 
  • The Thermo Paddle™ crawfish boil paddle is a classic stirring paddle, but with the ability to sense temperature in real time.
  • The Triple Jet Burner still uses fire to cook, but it gives the user more power and precision.

Even the purists here in Louisiana love our equipment! We didn’t set out to change the beloved seafood boil tradition. Instead, we invented solutions that improve upon it. Enjoy the best of both worlds—time-honored outdoor cooking methods made better with modern technology.

Try Our Patented Designs

Now that you have some outdoor cooking ideas to try out, explore the full range of our cooking supplies. Our products reduce stress and pressure when you’re cooking with family and friends, and they’ll make your food taste better. They’re backed by science, vetted and approved by the community, and versatile enough to be used for other outdoor cooking techniques, too.

Ready to get started? Check our Step-by-Step Crawfish Boil Guide and our blog for expert tips to make your outdoor feasts truly unforgettable. Discover innovative solutions for your seafood boil and other outdoor culinary events.





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