Outdoor cooking was once mainly a summer activity, but now more than 50% of Americans say they do it year round.   Still, the number of grillers dramatically increases in the summer.  So does the amount of food-borne illness.  There is probably some connection between cooking and eating outside and contamination of food.  Perhaps the risk is greater for those cooking and eating away from home (picnicking or camping out) because they may not have access to refrigeration and clean, hot water for washing utensils and hands well.  However, even those grilling and dining in their backyards can benefit from tips on how to produce a safe and healthy meal.  In the U.S., outdoor grills are the cause of 19,000 emergency-room visits and 7,900 home fires every year.  

Bridal showers, weddings, college graduations, housewarming parties--all these suggest that a kitchen gift would be appreciated. Often, there are store gift registries and Amazon wish lists to consult, but sometimes you can't find an item in your price range on these lists, or perhaps you want to give something original, something the bride or the grad moving into his/her own residence hasn't realized is needed.  Here are some suggestions from our Advisory Board scientists and other sources.  To find out where they're sold (if not mentioned), just google the product name.