Cool stuff

May 26, 2010|Sheryl Julian, Ann Trieger Kurland, Luke Pyenson, and Lisa Zwirn, Globe Staff And Correspondents

Roam around a cookware shop or well-stocked supermarket and you can find implements to do everything, some useless, others essential. The items here will never wind up in the back of the utensil drawer — they are too practical. Tongs with snappy colored ends? They make cooking fun. A barbecue grid rack? You will wonder where it has been all your grilling life. We found things we never knew we needed: for the patio, the stovetop, the fridge, the backpack, and the tummy.

BARBECUE GRILL GRID Think of this as a sheet pan for the grill ($24.95). It has handles that make it easy to carry and everything lies flat and cooks evenly. All stainless, with enough perforations to let your veggies get nice and smoky. At Kitchen Outfitters, Acton Woods Plaza, 342 Great Road, Acton, 978-263-1955.

WATER BOBBLE This is a reusable bottle ($18) with a replaceable charcoal filter that pulls out chlorine and organic contaminants as you drink from it. Comes in six colors and filters ($7 each) last for 300 refills. Save money, save the planet. At the Container Store, 27 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill, 617-566-7400 and 1265 Worcester St., Natick, 508 655-8500; Roche Bros.; JC Penney.

LETTUCE KEEPER With its adjustable vent for circulation and reservoir to hold water for moisture, this crisper ($15) stores all kinds of produce (a divider allows two at the same time). You can have something fresh in the fridge all summer. At Tags Hardware, Porter Square Shopping Center, 29 White St., Cambridge, 617-868-7711; Kitchen Outfitters, Acton.

OXOLOCKING TONGS A good pair of tongs is an extension of your hands, and you want tongs as stylish as these with their colorful nylon heads. Coax delicate pasta or gently turn meat in a pan (but not on the grill). Available 9 and 12 inches long ($12-$15). At Sur La Table, the Mall at Chestnut Hill, 199 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill; and Kitchen Outfitters, Acton.

INDOOR GRIDDLE PAN If the weather is not cooperating, use this reversible griddle-grill combo ($39.95), which fits compactly over one burner. Grill meats, fish, chicken, and vegetables on the groove side; the next morning, flip it over to make pancakes on the smooth side. At Crate & Barrel stores.

NIMAN RANCH PULLED PORK You may have heard of boiling rice in a bag, but cooked meat in a pouch? Pork producers Niman Ranch now offer fully cooked pulled pork ($8.99 for 1 pound) in a zesty barbecue sauce. Just drop the pouch into boiling water, simmer, and lift out. Add a bun and slaw, of course. Available at most Whole Foods Markets.