Dad's Day Duos
Give Dad a shiny new grill for Father’s Day and he may decide to barbecue instead of chill. We’ve found some snazzy cookers that will make Pop’s eyes pop out, along with thoughtful smaller gifts you can pair with the big one to say “Thanks, Dad – and make mine medium rare."
1. Like a Pro
Wolf gas grills, which have their roots in professional-grade cooking appliances, allow you to customize with infrared burners that boast a 17,000-degree “sear zone,” rotisseries, smoker boxes and other culinary accoutrements. Prices start at $3,700 for built-ins, $5,100 for freestanding models. Get design ideas at the Sub-Zero and Wolf Showroom in Orlando; grills are available at Aggressive Appliances and at Ferguson Bath, Kitchen and Lighting Gallery in Orlando.
Paternal pairing: Powerful grill outside, powerful sound indoors. Add rumble to a home theater setup without adding wires with the Boston Acoustics CPS 8Wi wireless subwoofer. $480 (with WT 50 transmitter). bostonacoustics.com
2. Two in One
Some grillers swear that charcoal cooking is the only way to get that distinctive, hot-off-the-grill taste, but others say the ease of gas grilling makes it the best outdoor cooking method. Who knows—and who cares–when the Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet 900 series of hybrid grills gives you both choices? You can easily switch from one method to the other, and even use wood as fuel. Prices start at $12,995 for freestanding versions; Kalamazoo also makes built-in models. Available at Alfresco Living in Maitland or at kalamazoogourmet.com
Paternal pairing: Once Dad has settled on a grilling method, he can toast his decision with a drink chilled by the Teroforma Whiskey Stones, milled in Vermont by the oldest soapstone workshop in the United States. The stones keep the highball cold without diluting it — just freeze them like ice cubes, then pop them into the drink. $20 for nine. velocityartanddesign.com
3. Team Players
Dad will earn MVG (Most Valuable Griller) status when he shows his pro or collegiate team allegiance with a Team Grill. They’re available in a large selection of NFL, NBA and university team colors and logos. $399-$1,249 at Aggressive Appliances and Southeast Steel in Orlando, Swim and Style in Longwood, and All Grills & More in Oviedo. Go to teamgrill.com for additional locations.
Paternal pairing: Big Bob Gibson’s BBQ Book: Recipes and Secrets from a Legendary Barbecue Joint by Chris Lilly. Recipes from a six-time World Championship BBQ Cook-Off winner. This is the book other BBQ chefs talk about. $24.95. bigbobgibson.com
4. Open-Air Artistry
Alfresco’s grills are the heart of what the company calls its “open-air culinary system,” which includes food storage, prep and entertaining accessories for a complete outdoor kitchen. The grills themselves are American-made with commercial-grade stainless steel. Options include a system that distributes smoke evenly (for even flavor) and a rotisserie that can handle up to 100 pounds. Prices start at $1,549; go to alfrescogrills.com for retailers.
Paternal pairing: When Dad’s big day is over, chances are he will have to hit the road on business. Send him off in style with Indiana Leather Adventure Duffel, made of handcrafted Scottish leather and featuring a hard-case bottom section for shoes, suits or electronics, and a roomy top for clothes. $345.50. gentsupplyco.com
5. Egg-straordinary
Sure, it’s a little funny looking, but The Big Green Egg has fans so enthusiastic that they call themselves “Eggheads.” The Egg is a ceramic cooker that’s a contemporary interpretation of a centuries-old Japanese clay cooking vessel known as a kamado. It functions as a smoker, grill and outdoor oven, and comes in five sizes. Prices range from $299.95 to $999.95. Go to biggreenegg.com for local retail locations.
Paternal pairing: The Namiki Chinese Phoenix Pen is part of the Nippon Art Collection, which combines Japanese arts of multilayered lacquer, hand-painted designs and 18-karat gold inlay. $750. namiki.com
