Grilling has become increasingly popular over the last decade. Maybe it's because
grilling offers endless opportunities to create satisfying and delicious meals or
maybe it appeals to our more basic instincts of cooking with fire. No one knows
for sure, but whatever the reasons may be, more and more Americans are enjoying
outdoor grilling. In fact, according to the 2005 HBSA State of the Barbeque Industry
Report, 81 percent of U.S. households owned a grill. That means 8 out of
10 households owned an outdoor barbeque grill or smoker and they were using them.
Consumers grilled an average of 26 times a year and grilling is no longer being restricted to the summer time. More and more people are grilling out
year round.
Today, there is a wide selection of grills to choose from including gas, electric
and charcoal. After the decision has been made on which grill is best for you, then
you need to consider grilling accessories. You might be thinking are all those accessories
really necessary? The short answer would be yes, if for no other reason than appreciating
that having the right tools for grilling will not only make the job easier and safer,
but enjoyable as well.
Start your search for grilling accessories and you can easily become overwhelmed
by the sheer selection of accessories and gadgets created solely for the purpose
of grilling. Woks, baskets, holder, tongs, forks, thermometers, skewers...the list
goes on and on. Many of these products are designed to make the grilling experience
easier for you, and each individual may find that one item might be handier than
another depending on their grilling preference. For example, if you enjoy grilling
a lot of vegetables a vegetable holder and/or basket would be an essential. Others
may be happy to wrap their vegetables in a little aluminum foil and just throw them
on the grill. It simply boils down to preference.
There are however some grilling accessories that can be considered essential. Those
usually include a set of grilling tongs, a grilling fork, a grilling spatula, basting
brushes, a meat thermometer and a set of grill mitts. For the purpose of this product
guide, we will concentrate on these essential grilling accessories.
Safety
The difference between enjoying the grilling experience and spending some time
in the emergency room being treated for burns boils down to using products that
are safe. Long handled utensils such as tongs, basting brushes, forms and spatulas
are not only necessary for getting the foods on and off the hot grill but are also
handy for basting and turning. Likewise a set of heavy duty mitts will safeguard
your hands and forearms from those potential grease burns. The proper grilling tools
let you focus on your food without worrying about singeing your hands and arms.
Durability
When purchasing grilling accessories, you should look for products that are built
to last and that will withstand the intense heat. Anything plastic will not serve
you well when being used over an open flame. Stainless steel and iron products are
built to not only withstand the heat, but typically are built for the long haul.
Comfort & Convenience
The grilling accessories should be sturdy, but comfortable and easy to handle. If
you grill a lot, you want tools that are comfortable and easy to use. Those Rosewood-handled
tongs or spatula may look first-class, but if they aren't a comfortable fit in your
hand, are you likely to continue using them? You may want to also consider the convenience
of those accessories that have loops or hooks on the handles that will make them
easy to hang within easy reach of your grill.
Here is a brief overview of the grilling accessory essentials and a few recommendations
in each category to get you started.
Long-handled Tongs
Long-handled tongs are a must. When grilling, they essentially
become your hands when dealing with the food on the grill. Therefore, they need
to be both sturdy and comfortable.
Many grill gurus even recommend having two sets of tongs. One set for use with your
food and the other for pushing hot coals, grates and racks around. A good stainless
steel set works well for food and ensures that you will typically receive longer
use out of them. Good tongs have a locking mechanism that won't spring open and a hand
grip that is still easy to hold even when wet or greasy.
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In the way of tongs, consider
ON-Tel's Extendable Grilling Tongs. These tongs are great for cooking, grilling,
serving and more. They extend from 11 inches to 16 inches long and are made of professional
quality stainless steel. They have a handy hang-up loop and lock for compact storage.
Other tongs to check out include GrillPro's
2 in 1 Turner/Tong
Cabana Kitchen's Grilling Tongs and
GrillPro's 2 in 1 Turner/Tong.
Long-handled Fork
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Most serious grillers know that the only time you will
use your grilling fork is when you are pulling the meat off after it is cooked.
Using a fork to turn meat while cooking pierces the meat causing the juices to run
out and you get a drier, tougher piece of meat. A long-handled grilling fork is
however useful for checking the doneness of your vegetables. Like with its partner,
the tongs, shop for a stainless steel fork that is sturdy and functional. There
are several varieties that offer wooden handles for easy grip and comfort.
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Speaking of functionality and convenience, a Fork Thermometer is a useful gadget
that combines your traditional grilling fork with the ability to instantly read
the temperature of your meat to tell you when it's done. These great gadgets can
even pull double duty in the kitchen as they can be used inside of ovens and stovetops
as well.
Fits All's Professional Stainless Steel Fork will make a great addition
to your grilling accessories. This heavy duty stainless steel fork is both functional
and stylish. The
BBQ Fork with Hardwood Handle by GrillPro and the
Telescoping Barbeque Fork also receive notable mention.
If you crave the convenience of a fork thermometer then take a look at the
Home Digital BBQ Fork from LNT, the
Sure Grip Digital Meat Fork or the
13-inch Fork Thermometer. All will allow you to take the guesswork
out of grilling and to serve your meats grilled to perfection.
Long-handled Spatula
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The best long-handled spatuals are those that are large
bladed and have a bent handle. These allows you to slip under your food easily and
flip it. Spatulas are particularly useful when grilling fish, which tends to fall
apart easily if picked up with tongs or a fork. Since you do not want to pierce
your meat when cooking, a large spatula can also assist you in handling those larger
cuts of meat.
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Spatulas that have holes or slots in the blade allow steam to be released and prevents
sogginess. It also ensures that your meat, poultry and fish will not easily slide
off when cooking. Some spatula models also have a built-in saw-tooth on one of the
blade's sides. This convenient feature lets you trim foods right on the grill.
A few notable mentions for spatulas include the
Outset Rosewood BBQ Spatula, Wood and Stainless Steel which is perfect to
turn roasts, steaks, seafood or vegetables over on the grill. It’s incredibly strong
and durable with a rosewood handle and stainless steel head and measures a good
22-inches in length. Also from Outset is the
Curtis Lloyd BBQ Spatula, Stainless Steel and Walnut which is perfect for
handling roasts, steaks and veggies on the grill. Crafted from stainless steel and
rich walnut wood, it will make you look sophisticated even while standing in front
of a barbeque. This upscale barbecue tool boasts forged stainless steel construction,
is oversized and fit for Herculean grilling. The
Mr. BBQ Stainless Steel 4-in-1 Spatula with Rubber Grip is a commercial-grade
stainless spatula with a finger/rubber grip and rosewood-stained hardwood handle.
It also comes with a 5-year limited warranty.
Brushes
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When it comes to grilling brushes, you may find that you
will need a couple to get the job done. Brushes come in a variety of materials ranging
from natural fibers to heat resistant synthetics. Generally, brushes do not tend
to last long, so do not spend excessively on this particular item. However, it is
best to choose brushes that are dishwasher safe.
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Most grillers purchase one brush for oiling the surface of the grill and another
for basting the meat. By oiling the grate prior to grilling, you keep the grate
free of food debris and your food from sticking to the grill. Your basting brush
will be used for basting and for keeping your food moist. As with the other utensil,
long handled brushes are usually the best.
Brushes made for the grill include the GrillPro
Deluxe Basting Brush which comes with an 18 inch wooden handle and convenient
hanging loop, the
Angled Head Basting Brush also by GrillPro, and the
Weber Silcone Brush which is a 12 inch stainless silicone bristle brush.
Meat Thermometer
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Avid grillers who have grilling down to a science know
that three temperatures impact grilling: the outdoor temperature, the grill temperature
and the internal meat temperature. Internal meat thermometers take the guesswork
out of grilling, as they measure the internal temperature of your cooked meat and
poultry to ensure that a safe temperature has been reached, harmful bacteria have
been destroyed, and your food is perfectly cooked. The type of thermometer you select,
i.e. digital, instant read or pop-up, will, to a large part, determine when it should
be inserted in the meat. Make sure the thermometer you select is designed specifically
for meat and poultry and will work on your grill.
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To monitor your grill's temperature consider a device like the
Camp Chef Barbeque Thermometer - LT-10. This handy gadget takes the guesswork
out of grilling outdoors. It monitors and regulates the temperature of your grill
and easily attaches to any sport grill or barbecue box lid for precise temperature
control. For checking the temperature of your meats while they grill, the easy-to-use
Stick and Stay traditional meat thermometer by Big Green Egg will get the
job done. If you want to go digital, Big Green Egg's
Digital Meat Thermometer - DT or Chaney's
Programmable Digital Grill Probe Thermometer will allow you to safely
and instantly read the internal temperature of your food.
Grilling Mitts
Grilling mitts should be heat proof, easy to clean and comfortable. Fireproof grilling
mitts not only let you handle flaming hot metal cooking equipment, but they won't
catch on fire when the flames hit them. Extra long mitts also protect your arms
from splashing liquids, sparks and grease. Mitts featuring grip surfaces are nice
because they make it easy to flip a rack of ribs or move a large cut of meat.
For the grill master in our midst, the
Good Grips Silicone BBQ Mitt with embedded magnets is a great accessory.
The magnets make these mitts heat-safe up to 600 degrees, and they are flame-, stain-
and steam-resistant. Nonslip, silicone grooves offer improved dexterity and grip;
a soft fabric liner provides added insulation and comfort. Another worthy mention
is the
Pfaltzgraff "Farberware®" Silicone Barbecue Mitt which is incredibly flexible
and has a slip and stain resistant design. They are safe to use up to 500 degree
F.
You can purchase grilling accessories either in convenient sets or individually.
Prices will vary depending on the material used. Higher-end quality pieces which
tend to be more durable will cost more, but in the long run, will provide you with
a better return on your investment. Individual pieces can start as low as $9.95
and run upwards of $39.95. Sets containing the basic grilling accessories start
around $19.95 and can run as high as $90. However, you can find a quality starter
kit for around $39.95 to $49.95.