Happy Monday, everyone!
Photo Credit: weknowmemes.com
How were your weekends, readers? Did anybody get up to anything interesting? If so, I’d love to read all about it in the comments section below! My weekend was short but sweet; however, spring has sprung (did you remember to roll your clocks ahead by an hour this weekend?), and the beautiful weather is putting a smile on my face. In celebration of the warmer weather, I think it’s only fair to make Tuesday’s Monday’s Top 5 about the coolest grilling gadgets to put on your wishlist for this barbecue season. Without further ado, and in no particular order, let’s get started!
1. Lynx Gas Grills 42 Inch Built In Propane Gas Grill With 1 ProSear Burner And Rotisserie
Photo Credit: blog.bostonappliance.net
It seemed only logical to start this list with the biggest, baddest grill I could find. The Lynx 42″ Propane Gas Grill is everything a BBQ aficionado could ever dream of, plus a little bit more. Its sleek and streamlined look isn’t all just for aesthetics; rather, the smooth, seamless welding eliminates places for moisture to collect, and assists with natural air flow through the grill. The hood opens with a spring-assist and fluid rotating handle, making it that much easier to check on whatever you’ve got cooking; plus, blue LED accent lights and a bright internal halogen light make cooking at night a breeze.
Taking a little closer of a look, we find that the burners in this grill are made of cast brass instead of the standard cast stainless steel that is usually found in grills of this price point. The advantages of choosing brass over steel are vast – it is less prone to corrosion, as well as holding and radiating heat more effectively and efficiently than cast steel does. Additionally, the grill comes with an integrated smoker box, rotisserie, and boasts an impressive 1200 square inches of overall cooking space – more than enough for all the steak you can eat.
The 42″ Lynx Gas Grill retails around $6,000.00, and you can order it here.
2. iGrill Smart Thermometer
Photo Credit: blogs.shawconnect.ca
Coming in next on the list is the iGrill Smart Thermometer – which is precisely what it advertises itself to be. Using bluetooth technology and dual thermometer probes, the iGrill allows the user to multi-task between their grill and their guests seamlessly through a sleek app (available on iOS and Android operating systems) which allows them the peace of mind that their food is perfectly cooked and at a safe temperature for consumption.
As evidenced by its touch interface with no buttons or seams to collect dirt, grime, and bacteria; the iGrill was designed with cleanliness in mind. Additionally, the integrated probes cut down on kitchen storage clutter, and standing/laying/hanging options make the iGrill a great solution for whatever your barbecue set-up may be. The dual probe system allows users to monitor two different pieces of meat simultaneously, and the 200 foot wireless bluetooth range allows the chef to mingle with their guests without fear of burning their steaks to a crisp. It is capable of tracking temperatures up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (however, does offer unit conversion to Celcius, if that’s what you are more comfortable with), and for those without a smartphone, don’t despair – the built in alarm allows the iGrill to function as a standalone timer, too.
Get yours here, starting at $79.99.
3. The Smoking Gun by Polyscience
Photo Credit: coolmaterial.com
Polyscience brings us this nifty handheld food smoker, and claims it to be capable of smoking ingredients that seem impossible to smoke (such as butter, oysters, cocktails, salads, chocolate, meringue, etc.) at a low cost per serving and in a much quicker manner than traditional smoking methods allow.
The Smoking Gun works off of 4 AA batteries, and utilizes measured amounts of natural, cool smoke to impart a multitude of flavours in varying intensity to food. The choice of combustible used for flavouring is up to you – Polyscience has their signature wood chips available in both Hickory & Mesquite and Apple & Cherry; however, alternative suggestions include teas, spices and dried flowers. It seems pretty simple to use, too – fill the combustible chamber with your element of choice, turn it on, light with a match/lighter, and apply the smoke where you want it.
Get your own Smoking Gun here, starting at $99.95.
4. Cast Iron Garlic Roaster by Charcoal Companion
Photo Credit: coolmaterial.com
As far as I’m concerned, garlic is its own food group. Roasted garlic? Divine. I usually make mine in the oven; however, this nifty little cast iron garlic roaster would allow me to streamline my summer menus by allowing me to make my favourite accoutrement on the grill alongside the steaks and chicken wings at the same time – and with the added bonus of saving some money on my electrical bill, as I’d save the hassle and the expense of heating up my oven for close to an hour just to roast some tasty, tasty garlic.
The concept here is simple – slice the end off of the bulb of garlic so that the tops of the cloves peek through, season to your taste (I like olive oil, salt and pepper), then cover and allow to roast for 45 minutes to an hour. When the garlic is done to your liking, place the bulb in the nifty included silicone garlic squeezer, and squish from the bottom to free the peeled cloves. I have to say, the silicone squeezer is a brilliant idea and addition to this otherwise simple piece of cast iron.
5. Cool Jams iPod Ready Portable Party Cooler
Photo Credit: homewetbar.com
Summer get-togethers with good friends, good food, cold beer, and fun music are pretty much my favourite way to connect with the people I care about and relax when the weather is nice. That said, finding a solution to the age-old rather recent problem of how best to get our iPods to bump in the outdoors is slightly harrowing. The integrated speakers aren’t loud enough, and for the most part, if you’re going to a cook-out on the beach or to sit around a campfire, you don’t want to haul a pricey laptop or stereo system around with you.
Well, the lovely folks down at Cool Jams solved not only the iPod issue, but the age-old (this one is actually age-old) problem of how best to keep 72 cans of beer (or soda, whatever floats your boat) cool without a refrigerator on a hot summer’s day. Say hello to the iPod Ready Portable Party Cooler – it can hold six dozen cans (plus plenty of room for ice!), features a large, leak-proof insulated cooler with an easy access top flap panel and a large drain plug on the bottom for easy voiding at the end of the night. Finally, the two amplified, built in speakers plug in directly to your iPod/MP3 player of choice via the headphone jack, and promises high quality audio up to a 20-foot radius – making it perfect for backyard gatherings!
Get yours here, starting at $69.95.
Which of these grilling goodies catches your eye? Do you have a favourite grilling gadget that didn’t make my list? Tell me all about it in the comment section below – I love to read your thoughts!
For now, I’m off to wind down my Monday with some data entry. Get out there and enjoy the sunshine, folks!
-Mel
Slegg Mortgage Press 