It’s summertime, and the grilling is easy. With the warm weather and festive nights abounding, it’s also time for most folks to break out the grill and slap on a juicy slab of meat or fresh fillet of fish. If you are particularly grill-obsessed like the man in my home, your first summer shopping experience is buying new flavor bars for your beloved Weber Grill at the closest home goods store.
If this sounds like you, keep reading for five must-have grilling apps to perfectly season your summer.
Weber’s On the Grill
Weber is the grill of choice in our family, so it was a no-brainer to download the Weber’s On the Grill iPhone app ($4.99). This grilling app is stocked with perfect recipes for family barbecues and last-minute weekday dinners. My entertaining favorites include: “Meatballs on a Stick,” “Fire and Ice Oysters” and the “Butter-rum Pineapple with Coconut ice cream” dessert. The app has tons of features besides just recipes, including tips on techniques, grilling safety, videos, a grill guide, grill timer and even a handy grocery list. for the same price, iPad owners can also pick up this helpful app.
Rhino Gauge
The whole gang is here, the margaritas are flowing, the kids are swimming, the steaks are sizzling — and then the gas runs out! Whether you live in the country, the suburbs or the city, it’s never fun to run around looking for a full propane tank when the backyard is filled with guests and the steaks are almost done. So download the free Rhino Gauge app to help keep track of your propane gas status and never run low at crucial times again. Another cool function allows you to keep track of cooking times to ensure perfectly cooked fish, kabobs and other foods every time. Or you can just use the app to track down the closest retailer to exchange for a full tank, complete with a map.
BBQ
Nothing ruins a well planned barbecue like a good, old-fashioned rainstorm. So before you plan your next cookout, download the BBQ iPhone app (99 cents) and check for a simple “yes or no” report before you throw the sausages on the grill. There are no frills in this app, just simple “yes” for “go ahead and grill,” or “no” for, “better not put the steaks on tonight.”
Grill-It!
The Grill-It! app (99 cents) is the companion to online grilling and barbecue magazine, GrillingCompanion.com; hence it is filled with recipes fit for foodies manning the grill. The hot thing about this app is the automatic addition of new recipes all the time — for free — so grilling never gets old!
Grill Hero
Any man, or woman, worth his or her grill, takes the task seriously, so blow off some steam while your beer can chicken is cooking with the Grill Hero app (99 cents). This app has you manning the BBQ grill at your local blues fest. Keep the crowd happy and you can be crowned the grill hero!
