On the Hunt: In Grilling Color

A trend that gives us one more excuse to fire up the grill.

Summer weekends mean summer barbecues and not that we don't love a slick stainless steel grill, but hey, what's wrong with injecting a bit of pizazz into your grilling? We're thrilled to pick up on a trend that will get any outdoor cook excited: Grills have gone blue, red and many other colors of the rainbow. So, we've rounded-up some of our favorites. Be warned: These grills are hot.


Weber Smokey Joe Grill, $50, Crate and Barrel
Nothing speaks retro and chic more than this avocado-green charcoal grill. Its porcelain enamel finish is laid over a lightweight steel bowl and lid with a handle. Slip into your plaid shorts, pedal pushers or best sundress, grab some vintage floral plates, and serve your guests kebabs of chopped vegetables and grilled meat on a stick.



Fyrkat Picnic Charcoal Grill, $50, Bodum
From the same company that makes tried-and-true -- not to mention colorful -- French presses. This bright-orange charcoal grill is just 14.2 inches tall but has all you need to grill a whole fish or a bunch of burgers for friends. An enamel-coated steel lid and bowl is supported by chrome-plated steel legs. Place it on your terrace and we guarantee that it will be a conversation starter, or tote it to a pre-game tailgater or your local park. (Note: It also comes in sky-blue, canary-yellow, avocado-green and white.)



m.i. grill Tabletop Gas Grill with speakers, $144, Walmart
Another grill perfect for small-space living, this grill (steel with enamel coating) even has speakers for cranking tunes; it's compatible with iPods, MP3 players, Zune, standard CD players and XM/Sirius. (Two gadgets in one? A definite plus!) Instead of a red lid, or a red bowl, the entire grill is a flaming red. And no spindly legs either -- its base is strong and stylin'. Don't worry about throwing a big barbecue. The grill's surface area for cooking is 161 square inches.



Kenmore 3 Burner Gas Grill with Back Burner, $300, Sears
Midnight blue is a calming color, especially when your dinner is being cooked underneath a midnight-blue lid while you sit nearby and do, well, nothing. With more bells and whistles than the above grills, this one claims to have 559 square inches of cooking area, so yes, this is a party-perfect grill. There's even room on each side of the cart to hang your grilling gadgets, hot pads or dishtowels. It's got porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates. (Note: It also comes in a softer shade of red than the grill we featured above, and a copper-y shade of brown too.)



Weber Green Performer Grill, $330, Crate and Barrel
If you like the avocado-green look, but the Smokey Joe Weber isn't going to cut it for your family's meat needs, go with the next model up. Powered by gas, the two-wheeled grilling station hasn't lost its retro look despite the modern-day additions of an easy-touch gas ignition, one-step cleaning system with removable ash catcher, and a hinged cooking grate. Heavy-gauge porcelain enamel covers the lid and actual grill. Its attached granite-style thermostat work surface also has hooks for mitts and a wire storage shelf.



Minden Master Propane Gas Grill, $500, Minden
We saved the best grill for last, although we do realize it's the most expensive. Style? Definitely -- This shade of green is classy! Convenience? Yep, with a reported half-hour grill time. There is also an option to add on various custom-grill options like a bamboo cutting board or a condiment tray, even an ice bucket with a lid (to hold the fish you're about to grill?). (Note: An intense, bright shade of red and also royal blue are available.)