Grilling Tongs and Spatula

Every grill master knows that a sturdy pair of tongs and a spatula are essential for the grilling experience.  Look for long-handled tools with comfortable grips to help insulate your hands from the grill’s heat.  You’ll also want to make sure the tongs have an accurate, precise and firm grip so that you can transfer your food securely from grill surface to plate.  Here’s what to look for in grilling tongs:

1.   Stainless Steel:  Look for tongs and spatulas made from stainless steel, which is resistant to rust, is durable, and is easy to clean. The stainless steel will help preserve the life of the tool.  With proper care, the tool should provide many years of grilling enjoyment.

2.   Length of Tools:  Choosing tools with longer handles is important for keeping hands away from the hot grilling surfaces.  Longer handle length has the further advantage of providing increased leverage and control when turning, adjusting and flipping food.  Look for spatulas and tongs with handles of at least 16 inches in length.  

3.   Comfort and Grip: Comfort is important to the grilling experience, particularly for foods that are cooked slowly over a lower flame.   Look for tools with ergonomic handles with comfortable grips that are easy on the hands.  Non-slip silicone handles will help you secure your grip on the grilling tools when they are greasy or wet.

4.   Locking Mechanism: Look for tongs with a locking mechanism that helps reduce the tool’s footprint to save grill-side storage space when the tongs are not in use.  The tongs can be stored in the locked position for ease of storage.

5.  Scalloped Edges:  Look for tongs with scalloped edges for extra control when gripping food items. The ridged edges provide extra control so you can pick up that hefty steak with confidence.

6.  Thin Spatulas:  A thin spatula will be easier to slide under more delicate foods like fish or thinly sliced vegetables.  But don’t sacrifice strength, as the spatula will need to be sturdy enough to support the weight of the food without bending.

7.   Versatility:  Available grilling space is often at a premium, so having tools that can multitask is an added plus. Examples of multi-functional tools are spatulas with serrated edges to assist in cutting and spatulas equipped with a bottle opener.

8.   Easy Cleaning:  Look for tongs and spatulas that are dishwasher-safe or have surfaces that are easy to wipe down and clean.  No one enjoys the post-barbeque cleanup.  Reduce your cleanup time with tools that you can clean quickly, effectively and with minimum effort.

9.   Quality Tools:  You’ll find a large assortment of barbeque tools at retail stores and online, many of the tools available at bargain prices. We recommend that you invest in quality tools built to last and designed to provide years of grilling enjoyment.  

Popular grilling tools and accessories that receive high ratings for customer satisfaction include the Weber Precision 3 Piece Stainless Steel Grilling Tool Set, the Cuisinart 20 Piece Deluxe Grill Set with Aluminum Carrying Case, the OXO Good Grips 3 piece grilling set, and the Alpha Grillers Heavy Duty 4 Piece BBQ Accessory set with spatula, fork, brush and BBQ tongs.

Best Meat Thermometer for Grilling

One of the challenges in expert grilling is making sure the meat is cooked precisely and to the taste preferences of you and your guests.  An accurate meat thermometer with precise temperature readings will help make sure your steaks, chicken and fish are cooked to perfection.  But all meat thermometers are not created equal.  Here’s what to look for when shopping for a meat thermometer.

1.  Thermometer Type:  You want to select a food thermometer that meets your needs.  There are two basic types of thermometers, instant-read and leave-in thermometers. 

• Instant Read Thermometers: This type of thermometer provides a quick temperature read, so you can gauge how well your food has been cooked prior to serving.  Instant Read Thermometers are a good choice for thinner cuts of meat or fish. Look for a thermometer with rapid measurement and response time for increased accuracy.

• Leave-In Thermometers: These thermometers are inserted into the meat to track the temperature persistently as the food is cooking.  Leave-in thermometers are a good choice for larger cuts of meat and chicken.  They are the choice of chefs who want to leave the thermometer in the meat and not worry about reinserting the thermometer whenever they want to get a temperature read.

2.  Temperature Range:  You want to make sure the thermometer has a wide enough range of temperature measurement to cover your grilling needs.  Whether you’re grilling well-done chicken, rare steaks or fish, your temperature needs will vary, so make sure you choose a meat thermometer that accommodates a wide temperature range.  Look for a temperature range in the area of -58°F to 572°F (-50°C to 300°C).

3.  Accuracy and Precision:  Grilling the perfect meal often requires precise temperature settings, such as when you’re cooking up that perfectly cooked medium rare steak.  It is important that the meat thermometer is precisely calibrated and accurate to help ensure your meat is cooked to perfection.  Look for a thermometer with a high degree of accuracy.  Temperature precision within 1°F or 0.5°C is ideal. 

4.  Probe Length:  Choose a food thermometer with a long probe for ease in reaching the center of large cuts of meat.  A probe length of 4 to 5 inches (10 to 13 cm) is ideal. 

5.  Ease of Use:  Look for a meat thermometer with simple, intuitive buttons for ease of use and a bright digital display for easy viewing even in bright daylight.  A backlit digital display will provide added versatility for grilling at night.  We recommend choosing a thermometer with stainless steel construction that’s durable and easy to clean.

6.  Wireless Connectivity:   Wireless connectivity is an added feature that allows you to monitor the cooking temperature directly from your smartphone.  Many grill masters swear by the added convenience of controlling your meat thermometer from a smartphone.  If you like to multitask while grilling, choose a meat thermometer that provides wireless connectivity.

7.  Quality Tools:  Look for a meat thermometer that provides the necessary functionality for your grilling needs, is easy to use, and is sturdily constructed to withstand the wear and tear of frequent barbecue use.  Popular thermometers that receive high ratings for customer satisfaction include the Alpha Grillers Instant Read Meat Thermometer, Typhur InstaProbe Meat Thermometer, and the Lavatools Javelin PRO Duo Ambidextrous Backlit Digital Instant Read Meat Thermometer.

Best Grill Brushes 

After the joy of grilling comes the essential task of cleaning the grill surfaces of food residue and grease.  You will want to Invest in a high-quality grill brush and scraper tools to keep your grill clean and ready to fire up the next barbecue.

1.  Bristle Type:  When choosing a grill brush, you will want to select materials designed to scour heated grill surface safely and effectively without leaving bristle fragments behind. Choose a grill brush with stainless steel or brass bristles. 

2.  Brush Shape:  Choose a brush shape designed for the intended cleaning task.  A wider brush head with multiple bristles will help to clean larger surfaces.  A brush with a more narrow head can reach into tight grill spaces.  Consider a brush with a replaceable head for added longevity.

3.  Handle Length:  Look for brushes and scraping tools with heat-resistant handles and ergonomic grips for comfortable use.  Longer handles help keep your hands away from hot grilling surfaces.  They also provide better leverage when cleaning off or scraping stubborn stains, burnt food, or greasy areas. 

4.  Scraper Attachments:  Grills with built-in scrapers are especially useful for tackling stubborn, stuck-on grime on grill surfaces.  The two-in-one tool provides added convenience while conserving valuable grill space.

5.  Compatibility: Make sure the brush is suitable for your specific grill type.  For example,  certain brushes are designed for specific grill grates, such as cast iron or stainless steel.  Check the brush compatibility with your grill before you buy.

Grill Baskets:  Consider adding a grill basket to take your grilling to another level. Grill baskets are useful for cooking smaller items like shrimp and vegetables, preventing the food from falling through the grates.  The holes and perforations allow the smoke, heat and flames to permeate the basket and cook the food evenly.

1.   Materials:  When choosing a grilling basket, you’ll want a basket that’s heat resistant, durable and easy to clean, with stainless steel, cast iron or other strong metal construction.  These materials help distribute heat evenly so your food cooks consistently.  Make sure the basket is large enough with sufficient food capacity to meet your anticipated grilling needs.

2.   Size and Shape:  Grilling baskets come in various shapes and sizes, so make sure you choose a basket that matches your grilling preferences.  For example, if you like to grill vegetables, you will want a larger, flatter basket for cooking the vegetables evenly and consistently.  For more delicate foods like fish, you will want a narrow basket, possibly in a fish shape, that supports the fish and distributes the heat evenly during cooking. Think about the types of food you like to grill, and choose a basket that accommodates your grilling choices.

3.   Handle Design  Look for a basket with a comfortable handle that provides a secure, heat resistant grip.  Wooden or silicone-coated handles stay cool to the touch when exposed to high temperatures.

4.   Easy Cleaning:  You want to choose a basket that is easy to clean after a day of barbecuing.  Look for a basket made with a non-stick, durable coating that’s quick-heating and easy to clean.  For added convenience, look for a basket that’s dishwasher safe. 

5.   Versatility:  Look for a grilling basket that matches how you like to grill.  If you enjoy cooking up different types of veggies, kabobs and other small foods as part of your barbecue, look for a basket with detachable sections that keep the items separated into different compartments during the grilling process. The separate baskets can be used for kabobs, veggies, fish, seafood, and other delicate foods that might fall through the barbeque grates.

BBQ Apron

Heat-resistant aprons are essential for protecting clothes from the flames, smoke and splatter of the grill.  Here’s what to look for when choosing which apron to buy.

1. Material:  Look for an apron made from durable materials like heavy duty cotton, denim, or canvas. The thicker materials are resistant to heat for added protection during grilling.  Make sure your chosen apron has some level of heat resistance to help protect you from accidental spills and hot grilling surfaces.  Barbequing can get messy, so look for an apron that’s machine washable. 

2.   Proper Fit:  Make sure the apron fits you comfortably and securely.  Look for an apron with straps to tie around the neck and waist to customize to your size.  The apron should be large enough to provide adequate protection of your body and clothes while fitting you securely and comfortably so as not to detract from the enjoyment of the grilling experience.

3. Pockets:  Look for an apron that has plenty of pockets for storing tools such as cooking utensils and thermometers and barbecue essentials like seasonings.   A good grilling apron should have an ample number of pockets so you can keep the grilling area organized and have your grilling supplies in easy reach.

Grill Covers 

Your grill is an expensive appliance, and you want to ensure that it provides years of useful service  and enjoyment.  You will need a grill cover to protect your investment from the elements.  

Here is what you look for in choosing a grill cover:

1.   Materials:  You want to choose a grill cover made from durable, weather-resistant materials that provide protection from the elements.  Vinyl, heavy-duty polyester and other man-made fabrics provide good protection from the sun and rain, as well as the hot grilling splatter and cooking surfaces.  UV-resistant materials protect the grill cover from fading from prolonged exposure to the sun.

2.   Size:  Size the cover correctly so it fits your grill snugly.  You can find a grill cover that matches your particular grill type, such as grill covers by Weber, Traeger, Grillman and other major brands, or a generic grill cover that you can size and adjust to fit your grill. Most grill covers come with adjustment straps or drawstrings to help ensure a tight fit and keep the cover from blowing away with a strong wind.  Make sure the straps are strong with strong stitching securing them to the fabric.

3.  Ventilation:    It’s important that moisture be allowed to pass through the grill cover to prevent mold and mildew from forming on the material surfaces.   Look for a cover that provides ventilation through air vents, mesh panels or other material that allows air to flow through the fabric.  

4.   Easy Maintenance:  Look for materials that are easy to clean to save you time and effort in maintaining your grill cover. 

Conclusion

These are some of the essential grilling tools and accessories you can choose to augment your grilling experience and make your next barbeque a smashing success.  Other grilling accessories to consider include rotisserie attachments, smoker boxes, and artisan pizza stones.  Choose your accessories to match your grilling preferences.

Whether you’re a weekend barbecuer or experienced grill master, the right grilling equipment can add to your grill experience, improve the quality of your barbecue, and maximize your love of grilling.  Happy grilling!

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