Hot gifts for the grill

It doesn't matter if it's meat, fruit or vegetables -- as long it's hot off the grill, we're happy.

When it comes to outfitting our "outdoor kitchens", there are plenty of gadgets and tools on the market to make the job easier (and tastier too!) If you're shopping for a special someone in your life (or looking to treat yourself) here are some ideas you won't want to pass up:

Basting bottle. Keep your hands at a safe distance while basting your meat, or use it to oil your grill. The Silicone Tip Basting Bottle ($4.99, Canadian Tire) has a heat-resistant, removable head and bottle with measuring gradations. Simply fill it with your favourite oil or marinade and rub-a-dub-dub!

Steak buttons. They're small versions of meat thermometers designed to let you cook steaks to order. How small are they? The Button Grilling Thermometer ($6.50) from Lee Valley has a face that's only one inch in diameter. Don't worry, it's still big enough for the only measurements you need -- rare, medium and well done.

Digital BBQ thermometer. Need to keep a close eye on the temperature of your grill but you've got food cooking in the house or guests to attend to? These handy gadgets give you precise measurements -- and you don't even have to be nearby. The Digital Remote BBQ Thermometer ($29.99, Canadian Tire) and Oregon Scientific Wireless BBQ Thermometer let you program the right level of "doneness" for meat, and you can check the status of your dinner from up to 100 feet away.

Corn holders. Be ready for corn on the cob season! When it comes to holders, look for something that's sturdy and easy to clean (especially if they can go in the dishwasher). Try the Corn Forks from Lee Valley, for example ($7.50 per dozen).

Marinade injector. Get your marinade right into the meat with one of these syringe-like tools. The Monster marinade injector ($7.99, Canadian Tire) or the Gourmet Marinade Injector ($26.18, Home Depot) both have twelve holes to evenly distribute marinade, and you can throw them in the dishwasher when you're done.