Presenting the pigtail food flipper: a barbecue tool with a silly name and a seriously functional form. This long wood-handled stainless-steel shaft ends in a curved, needle-sharp point that hooks into foods effortlessly (I didn’t believe this until I tried it). A flip of the wrist and the food is flipped. It’s quicker and more fun than tongs or a spatula, and it’ll work for most meats, poultry, and vegetables (but don’t try it on fish or big hamburgers). The point is so fine that you don’t have to worry about meat juices bleeding out when you pierce a steak.

It’s also handy when food sticks to the grill grate. Instead of tearing up the food as you try to wedge a spatula underneath, you can gently loosen it by sliding the pigtail hook under the food along each bar of the grill grate.

A set of two pigtails (one about 12 inches long, the other 19) costs $25. Order online atwww.pigtailff.comor call 518-398-6617.