Once you master it, grilling goes from an occasional ‘yardacue’ to a lifestyle that brings people together and helps everyone create memories on the days that matter. Getting a good grill is the most vital thing though because, without it, the party won’t happen. However, knowing what you are getting before you purchase it, can save you money and time in the long run. For instance, if you get to know that a charcoal grill, which is believed not to be that efficient, takes a lot of time to preheat, you may not opt for it. Likewise, if you get the information that a propane grill can be preheated in just a few minutes, then you may buy it with zeal and enthusiasm. You may be even more pleased if you get to know that the only thing needed to run the device is propane fuel, which can be purchased from companies like Nelson Propane Gas (those interested can opt for an automatic delivery program offered by the above-mentioned firm so that they do not have to check their propane storage tank every time). Anyway, hopefully, you can understand why you need to learn in detail about different types of grills before purchasing.
That said, whether you are grilling from the back of your truck, your yard or a park, you need to be armed with the right accessories to ensure that the party goes smoothly and the food is delicious. Just like it is important to invest in the best quality grill, you need to get the best quality accessories to accompany it and this guide will help you get all of them.
Tongs
Without good tongs, there is no grilling and good tongs are not those flimsy 7-inch aluminium metals that come with your grill. Depending on the amount and type of food you are grilling, you may need binger tongs around 16 inches because they are both efficient and accurate. The tongs recommended here have the solid construction that they need to last and a stainless-steel body that won’t rust when used frequently outdoor. You can also use them for your regular cooking so they won’t just lay there waiting for your next BBQ.
A Grill Mat
A grill mat is one essential tool that many people ignore but it does a lot in keeping grilling outdoors safe and also making it easy to clean. While many foods can be cooked on the grates, not everything cooks well there, especially small foods such as shrimp. A grill mat ensures that you have an even surface to cook on which heats evenly and keeps the grates clean. You will have less scraping and brushing once you get your mats.
A Chimney
Charcoal grills are the best way to give your food that smoky flavour and also cook lots of food at a go. You need a chimney to ignite your briquettes before they go into the grill. The larger your chimney, the better because you can ignite enough briquettes for your entire cooking session.
Grilling Gloves
However safely you grill, you still have to handle stray foods and coals which may be hot. The same goes for your grates, grilling area and tools you use for grilling. The gloves keep you safe and also allow you to work comfortably when handling slippery tools and foods. They don’t have to be too expensive as long as they are heat resistant, snug and safe.
A Grilling Skillet
Most grills don’t have enough heat for searing even when you try those hyped laser searing options. The most effective way for searing tough meat is getting a cast-iron skillet that can carry as much food as you want to cook. Searing or just cooking in a skillet also helps keep your grates clean while delivering an evenly browned steak after the cooking. You also get to deal with less oil dripping into your coals and a cleaner grill afterwards.
A Baking Sheet
Some grills may come with their own aluminium baking sheets but many don’t. If you are going to spend so much money on a grill, then you could as well do all your cooking in there when needed and baking is one of those functions. You can bake your fries, muffins, doughnuts, hot dogs and everything else on the grates once you have your baking sheets to keep everything clean and heat evenly.
A Grilling Tool Set
Grilling toolsets are one of the cheapest ways of getting all your accessories for one price tag. The only problem with this option is that you don’t have much control over quality but you still get lots of the things you need including spatulas, spoons, brushes, tongs, skewers and many other tools you may find useful. You shouldn’t pay for a set just because it has many tools, look for quality and make sure that the essentials are included in the package.
A Grill Light
Some grills come with lights which can be helpful although it won’t change much if you can’t shift it to point in the right direction. Now, a regular flashlight could get the job done as well, but if you are serious about grilling, you should get an actual grilling light that you can mount on any part of your grill and work efficiently. The magnetic weather-proof lights can be a lifesaver if you are grilling outdoors and the nearest light bulb isn’t bright enough.
A Carving/Cooling Board
Grilling is only part of the process. You have to cool and present the food at the table once you are done and nothing does that better that a classy grilling basket or carving board. You can also get cooling boards for storing the ready food before it is served.
A Cleaning Kit
Cleaning should be a regular process if your grill is to remain safe and functional. Most grilling fires are caused by accumulated soot, oil and other impurities that come about because grills are not cleaned regularly. Grill cleaning is actually very easy, you just need a scrapper, a brush, water and a piece of cloth.
Do you own any of these grilling accessories on this list? Do you own one we should have listed? Why not tell us about them in the comments below.