Six of the best gadgets and gizmos on a theme. This week: six of the best barbeque accessories.
By Peter Jenkinson
It's time to think about liberating your outdoor griller from the shed, and it will likely look a bit weary and in need of some TLC if you put it away without a winter MOT.
However, a little bit of elbow grease and a handful of scouring pads will have it gleaming again in no time.
So, now you've no need to splash out on a new barbecue, may we suggest you invest in some peripherals to give you the aura of an outdoor master chef.
Sauces And Shakers - Barbecue condiment set - £15.00 from www.debenhams.com
Place this shrunken kettle barbecue at the centre of your spread and it's bound to attract admiring glances, an ideal place for your standard selection of sauces and seasoning.
If you're really into your condiments and prefer to have a wider variety on offer, just splash out on an extra Lilliputian BBQ, it's a real party piece.
Smart Skewers - Fire Wire - £9.99 (two-pack) from www.iwantoneofthose.com
Cook bigger and better kebabs on your barbecue than ever before with this simple innovation, which allows you to skewer more meat.
Almost 80cm in length, you just load up the flexible stainless steel spikes and curl them around the entire cooking surface.
Beer Butler - Remote-control drinks cooler - £39.95 from www.firebox.com
Load the bucket with cold bottles or cans, find yourself a seat and sit back with the remote-control unit and enjoy being a horizontal host.
Deliver drinks to thirsty diners in style, but be mindful that you'll have to get up when it empties - perhaps version II will be able to open the fridge!
Grill En Garde - BBQ Sword - £14.95 from www.firebox.com
You'll find it near impossible not to assume the Musketeer stance as you stand by the barbecue turning and serving your fayre.
Inside the pack you'll also find a cut-out mask - once you've placed this over your eyes you'll really take on a Porthos-type personality.
Say It With Steak - Branding iron - £14.95 from www.firebox.com
Add a little individuality to your grilled meats, with anything from a simple label to signify if it is 'medium rare' or 'well done' to a message for the ravenous recipient.
With 52 letters that easily snap into place, adjust your message for the next diner in moments - then hold it over the heat for a few seconds and it's ready to sear.
Very Handy - CaterPlate - £5.98 from www.drinkstuff.net
This ingenious plate comes complete with Airfix-style, snap-off cutlery, a space in which your wine glass sits, and several compartments to separate your sauces from the main event.
Once you've used the CaterPlate, reverting back to balancing your drink while trying to eat before the food falls off your paper plate will seem almost prehistoric.
