grill

The City Boy Grill gets its name from the idea that many city-dwellers don't have room for a full sized barbecue, but the real applications for this portable grill are many. It can be taken hiking, camping, to the beach or used in the yard. The feature that makes it a standout is the fact that the grill is gas powered and comes with a gas cartridge (which can be refilled or replaced); most small grills use charcoal. This means that there are no coals to deal with, no messy cleanup and minimal smoke. It measures only 8.7" high, with a square grate that measures 7.1"x7.1". The grill is made from stainless steel and has a heat-resistant wooden handle. Price: $300.

A good grill is really a must-have for the 4th of July, which is one of the biggest days of the year for outdoor cooking. There are endless debates over the merits of charcoal vs. gas, but the look and quality of the grill are important, too. After all, you're not going to end up with a quality steak if you're grill can't handle the heat.

Significantly less complex than some of our previously featured outdoor grills, the Eva Solo Barrel Grill is a sleek beauty that could be mistaken for a sculpture in the yard. The grill is a classic barrel, where the charcoal (or wood chips, if you prefer) is put down into the base where a removable coal bucket sits. It is made entirely of stainless steel, including a stainless, heavy-duty grill top. You can also use it as a sort of firepit/outdoor heater after grilling. The grill itself is $560, but you can get a domed lid for an additional $120 or a jacket-like zippered cover for $51 as optional accessories.

Fire pits are definitely a hot item for the yard this year, literally and figuratively. ArtBuzz takes the combination of fire and metal a step further by adorning fire pits with a sharp, elegant flame design. The Bowl O' Fire fire pits are huge. Available in two sizes, one measures 19.5" deep and 37" diameter and weighs in at 150 pounds ($650), while the other is 19.5" deep, 41" diameter and weighs 175-lbs ($695). The weight isn't surprising when you consider that they are hand cut from 1/4-inch thick recycled steel. Since the bowls are hand-cut, each one is slightly different, guaranteeing that you'll get a unique piece that is also a showstopper. All of the bowls have a warm rush finish, so there is no need for any maintenance, either.

ArtBuzz also makes matching Torches by the same process, which are a great way to accent the yard, and a miniature fire pit/grill that is a great choice for cooks, or simply for those who don't have enough room for the full sized pit.

We're down to the wire on our Father's Day gifting, so today's gift idea is something that you might be able to pick up while out shopping. If not, well, be sure to include a nice card and maybe Dad will forgive you for sending his present late. This Teak Grill Tools Set is from Williams-Sonoma. It includes all the basics for grilling, like tongs, a spatula, meat fork and silicone-bristled basting brush, which is heat resistant. Each of the tools is made from a single piece of stainless steel and the extra-long handles are of smooth, shaped teak. The set comes in an attractive tool box. Pair this set ($69) with the matching Teak Barbecue Skewers ($35) and a pair of Teak Salt and Pepper Shakers ($29), and Dad will be grillin' in style all summer long.

The Fuego Outdoor Kitchen Island is a grill, but it is so much more. Streamlined and angular, the look of the stainless-steel clad island is unusual for outdoor use, but its abilities make it even more unusual.

It features a cast iron grill surface, which can be covered with the unit's retractable lid,  with a changeable burner system that can switch between infrared, gas and charcoal fuels with ease; all of the needed connections snap into place automatically when the burner is changed. This means that you can cook a smoky, char-blackened steak on day and a quickly grilled fish with the lo-maintenance infrared burners the next. An electronic control panel allows you to regulate temperature with far more control than an ordinary grill.

The countertops on with side of the grill are hard teak, providing a stylish look and ample prep space. Both counters also conceal drawers that are a great place to keep extra knives and cooking utensils. The side of the unit opens to reveal a sliding storage drawer, which is ideal for holding bulky items. It also has a slot accessory system, so additional shelves can be added at any time, in any configuration.

The model pictured here is the "Fuego 01," but a smaller, gas-only "Fuego 02" will be available, as well, when they hit the North American market in October 2006.

[Thanks, Josh]

The Tundra Grill is definitely a unique piece for the serious outdoor cook. It is based on a design that is used in Lapland, above the Arctic Circle, so it generates a lot of heat and can be used to multiple purposes simultaneously. The main feature is the zinc-coated stainless steel grill is the 37-inch base, which can be fueled by any one of a variety of fuels, including wood, charcoal, pine cones or brushwood. It comes with a grill rack, skewers, and three skillets at different heights (which can be swung away when not in used), that allow for frying or baking in a Dutch-oven. The smoke hood, similar in purpose to those used in professional kitchens, whisks fumes and smoke away from the chef, while also keeping the elements at bay. As you might imagine, a grill with so much cook space can be used to cook for a whole family reunion, not just your own family. It can fit two whole fish, three whole chickens, and six steaks. Price: $2,599.95.

One of the traditions of Father's Day, for many families, is having a barbecue. Though at first it may seem odd to make Dad cook his own dinner, it is generally accepted that most of these guys enjoy doing it. So, to facilitate one of the best grilling days of the year, surprise your dad with a Kobe Steak Sampler for Father's Day. For $199, you get 2 each of the Kobe filet mignons (6 oz), Kobe NY strip steaks (10 oz) and Kobe top sirloins (8 oz). Due to the way the meat is raised, each piece should be some of the most tender beef you or Dad has had the opportunity to taste - let alone to cook. If you are having guests, you might want to think about the King of the Grill Sampler ($109.99), which includes 6 Kobe top sirloins and 8 Kobe burgers.

Of course, this will all go over much better if Dad already has a premium grill or outdoor kitchen to do the actual cooking.

It may be a little late for Memorial Day weekend, but grilling season is just kicking off: time to get a new grill. If you're a real grilling fan, check out the Fire Magic Monarch Magnum. Granted, it's not in the same range as the $35,000 Talos Outdoor Kitchen, but it's certainly not a bargain-basement barbecue at $6,600.  The Magnum has an integrated smoker, a seamless hood, built-in halogen lights so you can cook late into the evening, a built-in digital meat and grill thermometer and dividers to clearly mark cooking zones, all of which can be independently controlled. Three burners provide 33,000 BTUs each and the grill has 792-sq. inches on its primary cooking surface. If you like rotisserie style foods, you can add a rotisserie attachment over the 26,000 BTU back-burner. With the Magnum, you can feed your friends, your neighbors and just about anyone else you've ever met. It comes in both movable and in-built models and is priced around $6,600.

Working over a grill can take you away from guests at a backyard cookout, since heat and smoke are not generally what people want to gather around. Of course, if you have an electric cook-top built into your table, you avoid all the downsides of grilling, while everyone can pitch in and prepare delicious food together. The Cook-N-Dine tables, like this Dawson Teak Table, all have a stainless steel cooktop embedded in their center. During operation, the electric cooking surface on the table can heat up to temperatures of 430F and also sinks down slightly due to a patented process as it cooks the food. The outside of the table, the dining area, is completely unaffected by the cooking process. While Cook-N-Dine makes tables that are all metal, this table is one that is a modified version of a design by Ascot Teak. It comes in two heights, 30 and 40-inches, and is 59-inches in diameter. It can be used indoors as well as outdoors, so you'll be able to make the most of your table year round, not just during the summer grilling season. Prices (on sale) starts at $3922.