In 1988 Griffo Products, Quincy, Ill., took advantage of the growing popularity of fish and vegetable grilling by introducing the Original Griffo Grill. Now Griffo is trying to make barbecuing a year-round pastime with the new Fireplace Grill. The metal frame, which fits inthe fireplace, has a tray for a bed of coals or wood beneath the large, adjustable grill. The whole thing folds up for easy storage. The product costs about $80. Griffo is also selling the Pizza Baker, which makes real oven-cooked pizza in a fireplace. This simple product has a heat-conducting aluminum tray and fire bricks. The unit is preheated, and the pizza is cooked over wood or coals. When the Pizza Baker's top is used, the crust gets crispy and brown. Retail is about $30.
Environmental concerns and the growing gourmet market have fueled many of the category's new products. Natural Home Products Co. of Los Angeles, under the Grill gourmet brand, has introduced 100% natural Barbecue Briquets. These are made of selected nut hulls and shells. They contain no chemicals or binding agents, and they light without starter fluid. The company says Barbecue Briquets burn cleaner, hotter and longer than charcoal. A 10.5-pound package costs less than $7. Natural Home also sells Grill Gourmet Flavor Chips, which are used with charcoal to flavor grilled foods. Varieties include Texas Mesquite, Country Hickory, Napa Grapevine and Georgia Pecan. Flavor Chips are packated in recyclable tins with different-colored oversleeves. Consumers new to gourmet grilling will appreciate the suggestions for which chips to use with what foods. A box costs $1.49.
Pine Mountains Corp. of Detroit has introduced a substitute for lighter fluid with Fire Flakes Charcoal Lighter. These non-toxic paraffin-coated wood chips are simply placed under the charcoal, where they will provide up to 15 minutes of fire-starting flame. Fire Flakes come in handy 2.2-ounce packets or in 13.3-ounce, six-packet boxes. Retail is about $2.70. Barbecuers can add some kick to chicken or hamburgers with Kraft 1898 Spicy Barb-B-Q Sauce. The Glenview, Ill. company is trying to create a nostalgic appeal for the sauce, which it packages in 18-ounce bottles with an old-style label and a guarantee of satisfaction from Kraft.
From Greater Galilee Gourmet Inc., Santa Monica, Calif., comes the Greater Galilee Olive Oil Company Hot & Sour Garlic Sauce. This preservative-free sauce with its pungent and exotic flavor adds dash to grilled and ungrilled foods. It comes in a 12-ounce bottle. Pennsylvania Dutch Country Potato Rolls is a new line of soft rolls from Stroehmann Bakeries Inc., Horsham, Penn. The line of sandwich, frankfurter and dinner rolls is based on traditional Pennsylvania Dutch recipes that use various flours, including malted barley and potato flours. Tanton Enterprises Inc., Joliet, Ill., is offering grillers something to much on while the steaks cook. Happy Camper Popcorn features upscale, healthy ingredients, such as high-grade gourmet yellow popcorn and canola oil. It's [aclaged in a 1 1/2-ounce blue and pink printed cellophane bag. Happy Camper also comes in cheese and caramel flavors. When it's time to clean up the picnic area, some might want to try Weiman Outdoor Furniture Cleaner from the Herbert Stanley Co., Skokie, Ill. This will remove dirt and grease from barbecue grills, furniture, plastics, wrought iron and a host of other surfaces. It costs $3.89.