Wood-fired oven

We are a nation of grillers.

The 22nd annual Weber GrillWatch Survey, a study about who, what, where and why Americans grill, reported in March that almost half of 1,000 respondents (500 men and 500 women) grill or smoke-cook all year long.

About 37 percent said they even grill when the temperature is at or below freezing.

With so many dedicated grillers, it’s no wonder there has been an explosion in the number and variety of grilling gadgets on the market.

The survey reported that nearly one out of every four Americans (24 percent) say they’re using grilling accessories “more now than in the past.”

We searched for hot grilling gear, and picked some items to make your cooking with fire more fun this summer.

1) Jalapeno roaster

Made by various companies, this model by Outset (www.outsetinc.com) sells for about $13 and features a nonstick coating that is PTFE/PFOA-free for safe grilling and easy cleaning. (See recipe below from www.cooking.com.)

2) Grill light

Grill lights, made by various companies, come in handy when dining late, when you can’t tell the difference between medium-rare and medium-well in the dark.

This model, Chef’s Grill Light by Camp Chef (about $25), was recently named Cook’s Illustrated magazine’s “Best and Brightest Grill Light” because its C-clamp attaches anywhere, holds tight and has a 24-inch flexible neck to shine light anywhere on the grill. (www.campchef.com).

3) Thermometers: remote and mini

Remote grilling thermometers are all the rage, like this new one by Williams-Sonoma (www.williams-sonoma.com, $59.95). It frees the cook to leave the heat, chat with guests, get a beverage refill, and still know what’s going on at the grill. This item has preprogrammed settings for seven kinds of meat, or you can customize your own cooking times and temperatures. A beeper tells you when you’re good to go.

Taylor Mini Grilling Thermometers (set of four — two for beef, two for poultry) go into the meat as you put it on the grill (or in the oven), and help you grill to order. (www.williams-sonoma.com, $20).

4) Branding iron

Meat branding irons are big sellers at www.BBQFans.com and start at about $40. Monograms are the most popular style. Al McSparin, the company’s sales manager, said the irons have become hot groomsmen and Father’s Day gifts.

“Heat them in the coals, or on a side burner on a gas grill, or over an electric … stove. They just need to get very hot; if not hot enough, the brand will stick to the meat,” he said, adding he’s proud that the irons are all manufactured in Kansas City, and are 100 percent American-made.

5) Flexible grilling skewers

This brilliant idea saves space in the refrigerator and on the grill. After threading ingredients onto these flexible, nonreactive stainless steel cables, you can bend your kabobs to fit into a bowl or bag of marinade in the fridge — or to snake around other items on the grill. These dishwasher-safe skewers are from Williams-Sonoma (set of four for $19.95).

6) Grill-cleaning brush

Grand Grill Daddy Grill Cleaning Brush from Williams-Sonoma (www.williams-sonoma .com, $59.95) makes the tedious and greasy job of grill scrubbing easier with the power of steam. No soap or chemicals are needed; fill the handle with water, and stainless steel bristles sterilize as you scrub.

7) Meat hooks

If you’re a serious griller, you’ll want to forget about tongs, forks and spatulas. Use a meat hook to do your flipping, just like the BBQ competition folks. This model, EZ Turner by Camp Chef (www.campchef.com, $14.99), includes a short (17-inch) and long (26-inch) turner. The sharp tip won’t mark your meat the way other utensils do.

8) Wood-fired oven

If you want an over-the-top new cooking toy for the backyard, it might just be the Fontana Fuoco Vivo Wood-Fired Outdoor Oven, made in Italy and available from Williams-Sonoma for $2,999. It preheats in 45 minutes, and reaches temperatures up to 700 degrees for baking pizzas and roasting meats. It would keep the patio warm and toasty on cool Central Oregon evenings, too.