Cook where you want to.
(Credit: Chef's Catalog)Sometimes one stove isn't enough. That's not to say an additional stove is always necessary, but sometimes you just need a little more. Or, perhaps even more importantly, you need your cooktop to just move over there. Whether it is a matter of space or convenience, a portable cooktop is an excellent way to expand your options.
The Fissler CookStar Induction Pro Cooktop, PROX61 features 1,500 watts of power and nine heating levels to ensure quality results no matter what or where you need to cook. A boost function and a keep-warm setting provide precision control, either while preparing foods, or while serving them at the table. The easy-to-use touch-sensitive controls are intuitive, and at the end of the meal, the frameless glass-ceramic surface is easy to clean.
The most energy-efficient method of cooking is via induction, and considering safety issues (portable open-flame appliances even sound not-so-safe), the lack of surface heat makes induction cooktops desirable. Of course, induction-friendly cookware is needed, but considering the rising popularity of induction cooktops--both portable and not--finding quality cookware is not so much of a chore. Certainly expanding options and easy convenience are worth it in the end.
No ice needed.
(Credit: Bed Bath & Beyond)While nothing beats enjoying a cooler full of ice-cold beverages at the park, beach, or backyard barbecue, there is a bit of a downside risk: wet cans. As drinks are plucked from the murky depths of the ice chest, ice that is no longer ice clings to the can. It's something even cold-activated cans cannot fix.
Since the dawn of mankind (or at least the invention of the tailgate party), people have looked for a way to enjoy the crisp, clean taste of their favorite drinks without the inconvenience of wet fingers. Now, finally, there is a way.
The Wine Enthusiast Koolatron Rechargeable Bar On Wheels provides a way to cool your drinks anywhere, without the use of ice. The rechargeable cooler cools contents to a "near refrigerator" temperature of 40 degrees F.
Plugging into a standard home outlet, the 41-pound portable cooler also includes an AC/DC adapter for vehicle charging. One charge is good for up to four hours of active, quiet cooling, and for easy portability, two wheels are attached at the base.
With three removable shelves and space for in-door bottle cooling, the portable party-maker has a versatile interior capable of cooling all types of beverages. Complete with a flat work area on top and a hanging basket for accessories on the side, this cooling solution is sure to be a hit at your next outdoor event.
But it will cost you--$449.99 in at least one listing we saw. What do you think? Is saving the ice for putting in your drinks instead of on them worth that tag?
Grilling on the go is as good as it gets. Fresh air, (hopefully) sunshine, good times, and platters full of delicious grilled foods. Problem is, most grills aren't built for portability. While many grills are small in size, the actual transportation of them can be difficult and even messy. However, there is at least one grill out there that takes portability to a whole new level.
You don't have to keep the Margaritaville Ride-Behind Tailgating Propane Grill attached to the back of your vehicle, but you certainly could. Connecting to standard 2-inch hitch receiver, the grill goes wherever you do. When you reach your destination, the choice is up to you: you can either remove the grill and take advantage of the integrated legs for tabletop use, or you can fire up your grill session directly from the back of your vehicle.
The grill itself is fueled by a 1-pound propane tank and puts out 20,000 BTU. The grilling surface is 352 square inches and able to accommodate up to 20 burgers at a time--plenty to feed the tailgate party or whatever party you happen to pull over for. Two swing-out side tables and a convenient tray in front make sure you have all the room you need for any condiments and accessories. And hey, if the party starts getting dull, you can always start a new one just down the road.
(Via InventorSpot)
(Credit:
Appliancist)
As often as I brag about packing my lunch, I've lately experienced a noticeable dip in the number of days I'm bringing food in from home. Many days I get home too tired to cook lunch, but in a conversation today, I attributed my recent lunch-packing laziness to my desire for variety. As someone who gets so much enjoyment out of eating good food, a daily lunch that relies upon the standard sandwich and side theme gets old a bit too quickly.
Something that would spice up lunchtime is opening up the playing field to include hot foods. This portable food container provides an attractive package for your lunchtime nosh, and includes a hidden heating element to keep it hot.
Dubbed the Mo:Ben, the container began its life as an entry into an Australian Design Award competition. It's made of an external box complete with a silicone base and retractable handles, an embedded heating element that's powered by an external adapter plug and is thermostat-controlled, and an internal container that holds both your food and utensils. The box has separate compartments too, so your favorite foods won't end up tasting like each other.
Road food redefined.
(Credit: Hammacher Schlemmer)No matter where you go when you hit the road, chances are your road trip is going to include road food. Since road food by definition means eating food out of the ordinary, it can be a bit difficult to guess how much to order. Your control panel may have a gas gauge, but you don't. The result can be a collection of dashboard sandwiches, some more tasty than others. Experience has taught me that an In-N-Out burger, while delicious in fresh form, doesn't hold up quite as well 80 miles down the road. (However, many breakfast sandwiches do quite nicely, thank you very much.) When the hunger (or boredom) strikes again, those leftover meals can be resuscitated quite handily in a microwave oven--that is, in the microwave you have back home.
All that could change with The Only Portable Microwave Oven from Hammacher Schlemmer. Designed to bring new meaning to road food, the portable microwave warms your meal while powered by your car's DC outlet. Producing up to 660 watts of power, the microwave weighs only 16 pounds. With preset controls for popcorn, pizza and coffee, the mini-mic continues the trend of on-the-go dining. With an interior that measures 10 inches by 7 inches, the microwave should be able to accommodate whatever supersize meal you have in mind.
Smoking on the go.
(Credit: Chef's Catalog)It's no great secret that adding smoke to foods adds flavor. Ask any barbecue expert and they will tell you about the virtues of smoke. Ordinary meats and seafood are taken to new heights with the seemingly simple addition of smoke. The pros may use specific combinations of wood, but you can start enjoying the flavor of smoked foods without the years of practice.
The Bradley Portable Propane Smoker brings convenience and portability to anyone who wishes to take their outdoor cooking to a new level. Powered by a propane canister and 4 AA batteries, the easy-to-move smoker brings new flavor to cookouts on the boat, at the park, or anywhere in between. Tailgate parties especially could benefit from such a device. Using bisquettes, which are basically hockey pucks of compressed wood, the smoker system takes all the guesswork out of creating an enticing smoked meal for your next event. The bisquettes are sold in a variety of wood flavors, which include: alder, mesquite, cherry, hickory, pecan, oak, apple, and maple.
Portability is key to this smoker. The main unit works as an oven and features controls for flame intensity, ignition, and bisquette burning. Food is placed on four adjustable racks, and a diffuser/drip tray is included. A 10-foot car adapter is included as well as a carrying case. With smoking this easy (and delicious), nobody will mind if you do.
Portable and pleasant.
(Credit: Electrolux)The Libero line of appliances from Electrolux is a modular system designed to bring mobile cooking anywhere there is a wall socket. While most people consider the scent of cooking food to be an appetizing feature they want, sometimes it is an unwelcome guest. The Libero appliances fit within one central unit that has an antiodor system incorporated in it. No matter what you need to cook, no matter where, the Electrolux Libero Point caters not only to location, but also to taste.
Using a variety of means, the do-it-all appliance system is capable of producing everything from stir-fry to grilled panini sandwiches. There are more than a dozen modular add-on appliances designed to work with the system. Induction powers two different wok hobs and several varieties of cook tops. Infrared-powered cooktops are also available, removing the restriction of the specific pans needed for induction cooking. Several available griddles powered by good old-fashioned electricity are available along with the aforementioned panini grill. Rounding out the options of available appliances is an oven capable of steam or convection cooking, or some combination of both.
The Libero Point captures all these devices and allows for them to be used in any environment. Perfect for a buffet room or other gathering hall where rogue scents may not be welcome, the Libero line is a versatile solution to mobile cooking needs.
Presentation is everything. And $20 price tags don't hurt either. Why blend the boring old-fashioned way, when you could be blending in style? In style, that is, with a tornado.The Vortex Portable Mixer is powered by a 9000rpm motor that quickly and effectively mixes whatever liquid-based material you put in it.
Although it is mainly designed and marketed toward protein shake drinkers (who would rather avoid nasty bits of dry clumps in their beverage), the portable mixer has numerous uses. For example, a spinning (and dizzying) tornado in a bottle could be a fascinating twist on old-timey cocktail shakers. The manufacturer also offers suggestions about the mixer being used as a great salad-dressing shaker or a fun way to whip up a batch of scrambled eggs.
The fun presentation is not the only benefit from this high-powered portable mixer. Immediately after use, the Vortex is easily cleaned by giving some fresh water a quick spin in the machine. A little soap added to the mix and your portable mixer will practically clean itself. For $20, the Vortex promises to add a little fun to your beverage-making endeavors. Quick and easy to use, the portable tornado might be the next best thing to captured lightning in a jar.
Vroom, vroom, party starter.
(Credit: Chef's Catalog)Like most guys, I like things that unfold into other things. If it assembles and disassembles into various parts and accessories, you got my attention. If those parts unfurl into a grill, then I'm sold. Unlatch it, unfold it, bend it this way then that, and you got yourself the means for a tailgate party anytime, anywhere.
The Picnic Time Portagrillo Portable Gas Grill features fold up legs and slide out trays that reveal to be a convenient grill. With 263 square inches of cooking real estate, the compact and easy-to-carry grill is the perfect accompaniment to tailgate parties and picnics. Using propane as the fuel further increases the convenience offered by this grill--no messy charcoal or lighter fluid to deal with. Best part (other than eating, of course), is that when it's cool, the handy Portagrillo folds and slides back up into an easy carry case.
Not too unlike the popular toy car robots sold by the same name (except I don't think you can grill with those), this grill transforms into a fun accessory for sunny days. While I certainly appreciate a grill that facilitates the ability to get my grill on, I think the concept could be taken further. Luckily for us, Picnic Time also produces a grill that carries beer.
This grill goes to 11.
(Credit: Chef's Catalog)Once upon a time, children, teenagers, and young adults alike carried around with them portable record players. The idea was to pack up your player along with some 45rpm records, head over to a friend's house, and you had an instant dance party. This was before my time, but I always held a certain appreciation for the portability this afforded. Of course, now we have MP3 players and portable speakers galore that have streamlined the whole portability of music into a whole other realm, but that original appreciation is still prevalent in other fun devices.
While this Solaire Infrared Portable BBQ Grill won't play any tunes (unlike this one), to me it is reminiscent in design of an old-school record player. Like the instant dance parties of old, this infrared grill lets you get your groove grill on in mere minutes. Infrared burners heat up more quickly than that of conventional grills, and deliver a more powerful punch. The 14,000 BTU burner on this model heats up in three minutes and cooks food at a 50 percent faster rate. Drippings are instantly vaporized as they hit the heated surface creating delicious smoke flavor with less flare-ups.
The option to choose infrared over traditional grills is a relatively new phenomenon with a key patent that expired in 2000 leading to the recent trend. With the capability to have high heat uniform cooking along with delicious grill flavor assures that you'll keep the party going well into night (or at least until the propane bottle runs out).
