Gadgets make outdoors far from simple

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Burn this newspaper!

That is what former Chicago Bears player William ''Refrigerator'' Perry would like you to do with his combination barbecue grill and cooler.

The man affectionately known as ''The Fridge'' introduced a new line of coolers at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, which ended Sunday at the Salt Palace.

The Fridge Chill and Grill Combo features a collapsible grill said to cook food five times faster than charcoal. It is fueled by burning newspapers.

The cooler holds 26 cans and ice. Pockets provide dry storage for sandwiches, magazines and keys. Its lid is padded and serves as either a seat or tray table.

But at a huge show filled with strange and wonderful gear coming to a store near you soon, that was not the strangest cooler.

That honor belonged to Coleman's CD Coolbox, which comprises a compact disc player, disc carrying case and compartment for ice and cold drinks.

California Innovations featured a cooler with speakers for a CD player or radio inside. The company offered a golf cooler that includes places for tees and pencils as well as a heated stadium chair.

Not to be outdone in the cooler department, Glacier Gear featured designer lunch boxes.

''A 15-year-old girl does not want to carry the same lunch box as a 30-year-old,'' said Glacier Gear's Sue Yen. ''And a guy wants a different looking box.''

Coleman introduced a propane camp stove capable of 100,000 BTUs. The winch to lower a turkey into hot oil was an added option. While cooking on the stove, campers could also enjoy a combination television, radio and lantern that comes complete with a siren.

''This show is so technical that even hats have owners' manuals,'' said public relations specialist Jeff Blumenfeld. That included a four-page instruction sheet for Tilley Hats with information on where the front of the hat was, how it should fit and how to adjust the wind cord.

Shrade may have offered the show's ultimate gadget. Its $250 ''Intelligent Equipment for the Outdoors'' survival tool includes a computerized altimeter, barometer, digital compass and watch module. Its implement pod featured screwdrivers, knives, scissors, can opener, cork screw, flashlight, lighter compartment and signal mirror. The whole package weighs just over 8 ounces.

Canadian Mark Turcot showed off his inflatable tents, supported by pockets of air rather than poles. Designed to be erected by a single person in 20 seconds, they use either a hand pump, air compressor, spare tire attachment, portable air tank or CO2 cartridge.

Mariel Head displayed the ''Chuckit,'' a device allowing dog owners to throw a tennis ball for their pet and pick it up without having to touch a slimy, saliva-covered ball.