Given an arbitrary C ∞ Riemannian manifold M n , we consider the problem of introducing and constructing minimal hypersurfaces in M ×R which have the same fundamental properties of the standard helicoids and catenoids of Euclidean space R 3 = R 2 × R. Such hypersurfaces are defined by imposing conditions on their height functions and horizontal sections, and then called vertical helicoids and vertical catenoids. We establish that vertical helicoids in M ×R have the same fundamental uniqueness properties of the helicoids in R 3 . We provide several examples of vertical helicoids in the case where M is one of the simply connected space forms. Vertical helicoids which are entire graphs of functions on Nil 3 and Sol 3 are also presented. We give a local characterization of hypersurfaces of M × R which have the gradient of their height functions as a principal direction. As a consequence, we prove that vertical catenoids exist in M × R if and only if M admits families of isoparametric hypersurfaces. If so, they can be constructed through the solutions of a certain first order linear differential equation. Finally, we give a complete classification of the hypersurfaces of M × R whose angle function is constant.