Fourth of July List: Want Silly Grilling Gadgets?

Add a little "silly" to your Fourth of July

By R. Leigh Coleman, Christian Post Reporter Monday, July 04, 2011

Lists of silly gadgets, places to go and things to do are fun to read. Recent news reports highlighted some of the most interesting and silly grilling gadgets on the market today.

Americans can add something new and “out of the box” to their Fourth of July celebrations this year.

Featured on MSNBC, the following gadgets can make grilling outside more portable, more extreme and a little silly. The grilling gadgets were discovered by “That’s Nerdalicious!" and reported this week.

1- Element Portable gas grill
(Commentary: Until the iPad has an app that would allow us to grill a couple of burgers up on the screen, the Element Portable is about as compact and functional as its going to get. Features of the Element Portable include: an 8,000 BTU burner, 160 square inches of cooking surface, push-button ignition, legs that fold up to become handles, a red travel band, dishwasher-safe runoff tray and a shoulder strap. That’s right - you can actually wear this grill. The difference is that you won’t have to explain to your buddies about the difference between a satchel and a purse. Cost: About $150.)

2- Altoids can grill
(Commentary: Believe it or not, there is an even more convenient way than the Element Portable to grill up a burger and a hotdog. Although you will have to compromise a little on the size of the cooking surface. This pocket-sized, do-it-yourself grill is made out of an Altoids tin, some sheet metal screws and two computer fan guards. For a fuel source, all it needs is a single charcoal briquette. It’s everything you need to cook up a single burger or hot dog, and maybe even toast up a marshmallow for s’mores. Plus, you can use it just about anywhere. Pricing may vary.)

3- The Kitchen Magician
(Commentary: The Kitchen Magician is the Swiss Army Knife of grilling utensils. It features 19 tools in one including everything from a spatula to a coffee filter to a pepper shaker. It’s one of those gadgets that packs in so much functionality that it ends up getting in its own way to become nearly useless. Cost: $12.49.)

4- Turbo charcoal lighter
(Commentary: We love the taste of food from a charcoal grill, but gas grills get the most use because it’s so much easier to fire up. The Turbo Charcoal Lighter can speed up the charcoal process thanks to a large chimney lighter that can be ignited quickly with a gas-powered burner. It’s also a lot safer than using a Roman candle Cost: $49.95.)

5 -Bruce balcony grill
(Commentary: If you live in an apartment, grilling is most likely handled by George Foreman. For apartment dwellers with a balcony, one way to get around that problem is to use this flower box-style charcoal grilling system. It can be mounted on the railing to save space. Of course, watch fire codes. Pricing not available.)

6- Meatball grill basket
(Commentary: Imagine trying to cook meatballs directly on a grill surface. It would be a pretty messy affair - not so with this basket. It features 12 perforated wells to brown your meatballs and infuse them with a delicious smoky flavor. Cost: $50.)

7 – Condiment Gun
(Commentary: The funniest way to apply your favorite condiments to hot dogs and burgers is to give it a shot from this cartoon-sized condiment squirt gun. It’s Acme approved and guaranteed not to explode in your hand or misfire. It’s also an ideal weapon in a food fight. Cost: $26.)

8- Cruzin Cooler
(Commentary: The Cruzin Cooler exists. Basically, it’s a cooler that you can actually ride. It comes in a variety of gas and electric models, with a driving range that can vary between 10 and 30 miles with a top speed of about 20 mph on the 2,000-watt “Professional” driver’s version. Great for the golf course, camping or even trips to the grocery store. It’s also a great, lazy beverage delivery system for your cookout. Cost: $349-$1,399.)

Note: The list of new gadgets on the market is not endorsed by The Christian Post. Most items can be found online.

Did you know?

The record for the largest firework display consisted of 66,326 fireworks and was achieved by Macedo'S Pirotecnia Lda in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, on 31 December 2006.

Jack Henriques of the Bespoke BBQ Company recently created the world’s largest barbecue. It took three months to build. Its enormous size would allow it to cook 1,000 sausages, 500 burgers or two whole cows. The BBQ weighs two tons and requires 14 bags of coal to ignite, producing heat up to 500 degrees centigrade.

Source: Guinness World Records