Grill gadgets

From pizza stones to slider baskets to flexible kabob skewers, there’s no shortage of new outdoor equipment that expands the use of the barbecue pit. Local pit masters are finding plenty of diverse options as they head into this year’s grilling season.

“We’re seeing a lot of people who want to do wood-fired pizza,” says Tracie Boyd Comeaux, co-owner of Goodwood Hardware and Outdoors, which sells grills, Big Green Eggs, and other outdoor cooking equipment. “They’re buying pizza stones. And even if they don’t make their own dough, they’re getting take-and-bake pizzas and finishing them on the grill to give it that smoky flavor.”

A broad range of cooking tools is available to fit every budget. These gadgets will help you toss new ingredients onto grates and grills and bring new twists to reliable favorites.

Chili Pepper Grill Rack
Jalapeńo poppers stuffed with cream cheese, crumbled pork sausage and other ingredients are enduring crowd pleasers, but they aren’t the easiest things to grill. This rack holds the peppers upright, allowing for neat assembly. It cooks the peppers evenly and imparts a smoky flavor you can’t get from your oven. Serve them straight from the rack.
$16. Available at Goodwood Hardware and Outdoors.

Grill Wok
Forget the oily mess brought on by wok cooking in your kitchen. This wok retains the grill’s high heat, allowing for the quick and even cooking of crisp summer vegetables. The beauty, of course, is that asparagus, green beans and other slender veggies won’t drop through the grill grate.
$16. Available at Goodwood Hardware and Outdoors.

Stuffed Burger Press with Lifter
Burger equipment is a big deal this year, with slider presses and baskets capturing the hearts of young diners. For those of us who love a big burger oozing with cheese and other goodies, this stuffed burger press is the perfect tool. It’s especially good for turkey, chicken or lamb burgers, leaner meats that benefit from a slab of Gruyere or crumbles of feta.
$15. Available at Williams-Sonoma.