There is nothing more satisfying than grilling your barbecue on a charcoal grill. The aroma of well-cooked food wafting in the air and the sizzling of the steak is enough to make you do it all day. It is also one of the best ways to start the long-awaited summer season. However, for you to have an easy time grilling, you need to ensure that you have all the accessories required to get the job done faultlessly and efficiently. The good news is that there is a considerable number of grilling materials available for you to select and use. But unless you are a master, deciding which accessory is essential can be very challenging. Worry not, however, the list below contains the must-have grilling accessories that you will find to be very useful.
A Charcoal Lighter
If your using a charcoal grill there’s no better way to light your charcoals then with a chimney starter. By using a chimney starter you’ll have your charcoals ready to cook on in half the time. But if that isn’t fast enough for you, you can try using a blower to speed up lighting your coals
Once you have prepared the grill and placed the charcoal where it is supposed to be, your next step should be to start the fire. This process is usually stressful, and it can take so much of your time, especially if you are yet to master the art of fire making. That is why you need a professional charcoal lighter. This is a tool that will ease the fire starting process and make it more exciting.
A professional charcoal lighter comes with everything you will require to speed up the process. For instance, Dragon charcoal fire lighter uses a brilliant mechanism that enables you to supply oxygen to the fire. This makes it burn steadily, and in no time, your charcoal will be hot enough for grilling. You can get a charcoal lighter at your favorite grill store or order one online.
Heavy-duty Tongs
While grilling, you will need something that will enable you to turn your BBQ both comfortably and safely. No accessory can get the job done better than heavy-duty tongs. When selecting your grilling tongs, make sure they are long enough to give you distance control of your BBQ. They should also be of good quality to provide you with an easy time flipping your BBQ.
The best barbecue tongs on the market should be both durable and inexpensive. To make them more useful, the tongs should be made of a stainless steel material. You will find this to be helpful when it comes to handling food on the grill. Lastly, the turning point should be very flexible. This will give you an easier time grasping and releasing your barbecue without any problems. There are a variety of heavy-duty tongs that you can find at your local store that stocks BBQ accessories.
BBQ Chopping Board
There is no better way to size up your food while grilling than to make use of a chopping board. This is an accessory that is designed to help you cut your steaks and other foods to the right size before placing them on the grill. There are different types of chopping boards on the market, but you should make sure that you use one that is lightweight, durable, and most importantly, heat resistant.
You can shop for this accessory online or at any local BBQ store available near you. To make it more useful, the chopping board should be odor resistant. This means that it should not keep the smell of the food you cooked during your previous outdoor BBQ and transfer it to the current menu. The last thing you want is a different aroma on your nicely grilled steak and asparagus.
A Non-stick Rib Rack
This is a BBQ accessory that most people forget about only to remember it after roasting their first rack of ribs. It should be the first thing on your barbecue checklist. A non-stick rib rack is essential when it comes to cooking multiple racks of ribs on your grill. It is something that you can find in any online store that stocks barbecue products.
The main reason why it should be non-stick is to keep your barbecue from holding onto it. Make sure it is lightweight and heat resistant. A good rack comes with an easy way to grip the ribs while leaving enough room for you to baste your ribs in any source you want to. Without a rib rack, you will have a tough time holding your grilled ribs and serving them.
Grilling Apron
Sometimes grilling can be a messy task. That is why you need a BBQ apron to protect you from steak juice, sauces, and other types of stains involved. Hygiene being crucial when grilling, it is only fair if you keep both you and your clothes clean. One of the biggest mistakes most people do is going for any apron. A BBQ apron has some very unique features that you should observe before making a purchase.
First, it should be fire retardant. This is so it doesn’t end up catching fire whenever a piece of charcoal falls onto it. It should also have deep front pockets. This is to allow you to store BBQ equipment for quick access, such as tongs. Lastly, if desired the apron can be stylish.
Grilling Mesh or Basket
The biggest challenge most grillers face is constant slipping of food within the grill. This is because most grills come with remarkable spaces designed for holding big steaks and ribs. But what if you want to include fruits and vegetables on your list? Well, this is where a grill mesh or basket comes in. It is a stainless steel grilling accessory designed to prevent small foods from falling through the grill.
The right grilling basket comes with tiny spaces that make it possible to hold foods such as asparagus and carrots. When shopping for the accessory in your local or online store, make sure you go for one that has insulated handles. This will give you the ability to handle your BBQ when grilling.
BBQ Gloves
The part of the body that usually does a lot of work when it comes to preparing BBQ is the hands. They are what you will use to set up the grill, light up the fire, and continuously flip steaks and ribs for hours until they are ready. Given the amount of heat BBQ grills usually emit, it is essential that you keep your hands safe at all times.
That is why you are recommended to purchase high-quality BBQ gloves either online or locally. Suitable grilling gloves are fire resistant and can withstand extreme temperatures without any problems. They are also very flexible and lightweight, giving you an easy time when it comes to holding grilling equipment and using them.
Trays or Half Sheets
Once you are finished grilling your steaks, ribs, and vegetables, you’ll want to present them pleasantly and professionally. Plates sound appropriate but not as good as trays and half sheets. This is because they are not only large enough to hold enough food for a group of people, but they also don’t require excessive space on the grill and intense serving.
Purchase two trays from your local BBQ store and use them to present your food and marinate it while it’s still sizzling hot. You need to make sure that the trays are non-stick with handles to enable you to carry them. You can only opt for those with no handles if you have high-quality BBQ gloves.
Kabob Grilling Rack
The reason why your kabobs always come out half-cooked is due to their shape. It doesn’t allow heat to reach every area. You no longer have to experience such problems when grilling kabobs with a rack. This is because a kabob grilling rack will enable you to cook your kabobs evenly. All you have to do is secure your kabobs in the rack and get to grilling.
BBQ Thermometer
You will need this accessory if you want to take your grilling art to the next level and showcase your grilling expertise to your crew. A grilling thermometer will enable you to come up with BBQ that is perfectly cooked every time. This means food that is not overcooked or undercooked. The thermometer will ensure that you have a great time grilling. A perfect BBQ thermometer comes with an alarm. This is to inform you as soon as your food is ready for serving. With the thermometer, none of your family and friends will end up eating undercooked food.
Grilling is a very fulfilling activity that requires committed experts. The constant flipping of steaks and ribs while tending to the fire can be tiring but not if you have the right accessories. The accessories mentioned above are what you need to protect yourself and deliver perfectly cooked food. These are some of the essential accessories that any grilling master is recommended to have before using the grill. With them, nothing will stand before you and that sizzling steak that is ready to be served to those eagerly waiting.
As Always Happy Grilling!