Here how to upgrade Dad's cooking gear

By MORRIS DYE
SCRIPPS HOWARD
If Dad considers himself king of the backyard barbecue, offer to upgrade his arsenal of outdoor cooking gear as a Father's Day present.
Here are grills and barbecuing accessories that will light up the face of the family patriarch -- and turn out sumptuous summer meals that everyone can enjoy.
COOKING WITH GAS: WEBER GENESIS SILVER B
This reliable cooker is for the dad ready to switch from charcoal to propane or natural gas. Think of it as the Honda Accord of gas grills -- not the biggest or fanciest model money can buy, but for a suggested retail price of $549, the Genesis Silver B delivers solid performance. And it is widely available at home stores across the country.
It comes with a generous warranty from a well-established manufacturer (three years for the igniter and cooking grates, 10 years for burners and five years for most other parts). The product line also includes two siblings, the Silver A and Silver C, appropriate for smaller or larger households, and all three are designed for genuinely fast and easy assembly. See www.weber.com.
DOUBLE DUTY: CHAR-BROIL SILVER SMOKER
With this versatile backyard smoker, you can feed charcoal into the offset firebox for slow cooking, or place coals directly under the cooking grates for hot, fast grilling. The drum-shaped cooking chamber is made of heavy 14-gauge steel, with porcelain-coated grates and dual air dampers to control heat and smoke distribution. Suggested retail price is a reasonable $159. See www.charbroil.com.
ON A PEDESTAL: MAGMA DEL MAR
California-based Magma Products established its reputation in the yachting community as a manufacturer of compact grills designed to be clamped on the stern rails of recreational boats. Five years ago, the company unveiled a new model for landlubbers, the Magma Del Mar, made from the same corrosion-resistant stainless steel as its marine products. The 16-inch-diameter kettle-style grill mounted on a sleek pedestal is ideal for smaller yards and patios. A single knob controls the igniter and gas flow, and the cleverly hinged lid rests on the back of the unit when open. Fuel is supplied by disposable propane canisters hidden inside the pedestal, or for natural-gas models, via direct hookup to a household gas line. The Del Mar retails for around $400 to $450. See www.magmaproducts.com.
ASIAN ALTERNATIVE: THE BIG GREEN EGG
Simple earthenware cookers used for thousands of years in China and Japan inspired this unusual hybrid of ancient culinary technology and durable, modern ceramics. The charcoal-fired Big Green Egg has a kettle-shaped body and hinged dome lid made of thick ceramic material that retains heat and moisture for slow smoking and roasting, yet withstands temperatures of 600 degrees or more for searing and grilling. Four sizes are available, ranging from the diminutive Mini Green Egg to a full-size model big enough to cook a 15-pound turkey. The large size typically retails for around $650, but plan to spend more on options like the rolling base and side shelves. See www.biggreenegg.com.
hMOBILE MONITOR: GRILL ALERT TALKING REMOTE THERMOMETER
This handy wireless gadget from Brookstone allows backyard chefs to monitor cooking temperatures while roaming up to 300 feet away from a hot grill. A stainless-steel probe inserted into whatever you're barbecuing transmits data to a small receiver programmed with ideal temperature settings for various kinds of meat, poultry or fish. An audible voice prompt warns you when your entree is almost ready, then again when it reaches the desired temperature. The price is $75 at www.brookstone.com.
BRIGHT SPOT: OLYMPIA BAR-B-QUE LIGHTk
When the sun goes down, this weatherproof lamp designed specifically for outdoor cookery will give Dad a clear view of whatever he has on the grill. The C-clamp base mounts securely on a barbecue side table, deck railing or any other fixed object up to 2 inches thick, and the double-jointed pivoting head directs a bright white halogen beam over the cooking surface. The suggested retail price is $89. Call Olympia at (800) 843-4569 for referrals to retail outlets.
CIRCULAR LOGIC: CURVED KEBAB SKEWERS
Whoever said kebabs have to be straight? These semicircular steel skewers with a whimsical curlicue at one end are easier to turn on the grill, won't roll off a serving tray on the way to the table and look great on a dinner plate. They're also an economical gift at $9.95 per set of four from www.surlatable.com.
HERE'S THE BEEF: NIMAN RANCH STEAKS
Finally, if your father figure already has the grill of his dreams and a full complement of barbecuing tools, consider giving him some high-quality raw materials to showcase his culinary skills. Niman Ranch sells humanely raised, hormone-free meat products via its online store at www.nimanranch.com, including various cuts of beef, pork and lamb. Dry-aged New York steaks are a good choice for grilling ($69 for a pair of 2-inch steaks), or try the $150 Steak Lover's Gift Pack, which includes six steaks in three cuts. All products are shipped fresh for delivery on the day of your choice.