Licence to Grill

1. Untapped Potential
Beer and steak go together like milk and cereal, but cleaning up bottles and cans after a gathering can really cut into time for other summer activities. Heineken comes to your rescue with the BeerTender ($279 to $299 US) keg tapper. On the pro side, Heineken knows beer, and the BeerTender makes it easier than ever to get that perfect pour. On the downside, you’d better really like their beer, as it’s designed to function only with Heineken-branded DraughtKegs. (beertender.com)

2. Make Your Mark
A well-grilled piece of meat is like a work of art. And, like any great artist, the meat-makers should be given the privilege of signing their masterpiece. Texas Irons offers a series of custom monogrammed branding irons ($29 to $79), so when your guests
get to cuttin’ they can see this is no ordinary steak, but one cooked with pride. (texasirons.com)

3. Done and Done
Anything less than a perfectly grilled steak is for people in Toronto, not Calgary. We are, after all, the world’s foremost carnivores. If you can’t spot charred perfection from at least 20 paces, the Grill Right Wireless Talking BBQ/Oven Thermometer ($50) is for you. Stick it in and go get a drink. Once the perfect centre temperature is achieved, Grill Right will give you a heads up. (oregonscientific.com)

4. Touchdown
Nothing works up an appetite like a friendly game of backyard football. Whether you’re into touch, flag or full contact, the Nerf Weather Blitz Football ($14) is built for play in all extremes. The finger grips are designed to handle well in wet and dry weather, and it’s made of that crazy Nerf sponge material, so it will undoubtedly outlive us all. (hasbro.com)

5. Get a Grip
If the simplest solutions are the best, then the Quick Grip Napkin Holder ($20) is nothing short of pure genius. A sudden breeze has long been the bane of the barbecue and picnic enthusiast, sending stacks of napkins into the wind. The Quick Grip features a weighted tension arm that will keep your napkins accessible to guests but not to the wind, so you can spend more time hanging out and less time chasing scraps of paper around the lawn. (simplehuman.com)

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