For grill cooks, an 11-inch magnetic strip from Hammerhead Products called the Accu-Level Propane Tank Gauge ($3.95) assures against running out of propane. The strip attaches to the side of the tank and, when activated by dousing with hot water, turns from yellow to orange, indicating the level of propane in the tank. All yellow is a full tank, all orange is empty, and orange and yellow means somewhere in between. The gauge, which can be transferred from one tank to another, works for recreational vehicles and barbecue tanks and will not fade in sunlight. Half empty or half full? You decide. Available at The Brewster Store, 1935 Main St., Brewster, 508-896-3744; Different Drummers Kitchen, 34 Bridge St., Northampton, 413-586-7978, and 374 Pittsfield Road, Lenox, 413-637-0606; and Kitchen Outfitters, Acton Woods Plaza, 342 Great Road, Acton, 978-263-1955. JEAN KRESSY

Jean Kressy can be reached at jeankressy@comcast.net