Have you just bought a brand new, state-of-the-art barbecue but don't know what else you need? Well, you definitely need some charcoal and a BBQ lighter, but having only these two items will not turn you into a barbecue master. Read the following guide for useful tips and learn how to impress your guests at your next barbecue. Find out which BBQ tools you really need! Below are the best barbecue tools for both professionals and seasonal enthusiasts.
Have you just bought a brand new, state-of-the-art barbecue but don’t know what else you need? Well, you definitely need some charcoal and a BBQ lighter, but having only these two items will not turn you into a barbecue master. Read the following guide for useful tips and learn how to impress your guests at your next barbecue. Find out which BBQ tools you really need! Below are the best barbecue tools for both professionals and seasonal enthusiasts.
In the beginning there was fire
If you’re looking for a classic charcoal BBQ, then barbecue fire starters are the thing of the moment! Load between 2 to 2.5 kg of briquette (depending on the size) and place everything on two or three burning firelighters. After about 20 minutes, the charcoal should be sizzling hot and ready for use. Carefully drop the glowing briquette into the barbecue, attach the grill wire and you’re ready to go! Heat guns or electric BBQ charcoal lighters can also come in handy, letting you heat the charcoal to the desired temperature in just a few minutes.
Always be careful when handling fire starters. Despite the safe grip, we recommend that you wear fireproof barbecue equipment such as long gloves. Gloves should also be worn when moving the grill wire or the hot casing. If you decide not to use high quality tools, then don’t be surprised if you encounter some burns later on! Durable leather BBQ gloves should help you prevent any unpleasant situations.
A hundred ways to spit roast and turn over your barbecue snacks
Meat forks will definitely come in handy for sizzling grilled dishes. You can also use BBQ grill trays. Meat juices and marinade, which tend to drip onto the briquette, release carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Barbecue trays let you make sure that seafood and vegetables don’t fall into the barbecue and burn on the charcoal.
Grill tongs are a must due to their versatility. They can be used to place or turn over various types of sausages, vegetable skewers or wings. Stainless steel spatulas can be used to turn over not only burgers, but also steaks, grilled cheese or everyone’s current favourite – pulled pork.
Useful barbecue accessories
Some of the currently available garden barbecue accessories were once available only to professional chefs. At present, however, even amateur barbecue enthusiasts cannot do without them. A meat thermometer is a handy tool for accurately measuring the temperature inside your steaks, roasts or chops. The measurement method depends on your personal preferences. To do this you can use a cable, wireless connection, or a smartphone app. If you use a thermometer with two probes, you can measure the temperature of the meat and inside the grill chamber at the same time.
Let’s stick to burgers for now. In the past, hand-formed burgers from mincemeat were tasty but not very evenly shaped. Nowadays, however, the wide availability of hamburger forming machines or burger presses make life much easier. Both devices will help you form nicely shaped burgers in seconds, and all in the same size.
Is pizza only tasty when cooked in an oven by an Italian? The answer is no! Get a pizza stone and bake your own, delicious pizzas! You can also use it for baking in a home oven.
To make delicious steaks and great tasting roasts, use a curing syringe to insert tasty spices deep into your juicy meat dishes.
Even knives and large chopping boards can be considered as barbecue accessories. After all, you also cut meat outside, not only in the kitchen. Where (raw) food is processed, you should also use disposable gloves to ensure an appropriate level of hygiene. Meat can splash and get you dirty and stained in many different ways. A barbecue apron, that protects against stains and burn holes in clothes, is good to have.
BBQ cleaning kit
Every barbecue will finally come to an end. And then it’s time to clean up. You should clean your barbecue each time it is used! Small pieces of meat, fat, marinade or traces of halloumi cheese will always stick to the grill wire, and quickly become mouldy if you don’t remove them. Dried food particles stick not only to the surface, but also to the bottom of the wire, so make sure you check it thoroughly each time before use. A BBQ cleaning brush with stainless steel bristles will do the job best.
These brushes are usually equipped with a long and heat-resistant handle (best if not made of wood) so as not to burn your fingers when scrubbing the hot grill wire.
However, metal brushes are not suitable for cleaning grill plates on professional catering equipment. We recommend using soft brass brushes in order not to scratch the cast iron or stainless steel plates. The bristle of the brush lets you easily judge if it is strong enough and will not too easily break off from the handle. You can find a wide selection of high-quality barbecue cleaning brushes here.
When buying BBQ cleaning tools, note that they often have very sharp tips. Cleaning accessories for cleaning difficult remains can damage the smooth and corrugated plates of a gas or electric barbecue grill. In the worst case, they will scratch the surface, which will make food stick to the grill wire. Only plastic or wooden spatulas are suitable for cleaning barbecues intended for professional use, as they will not scratch the surface. You simply need to push the greasy food remains into the drip tray and wipe the surface with a cloth and washing-up liquid. And that’s it!
Ready to start?
Basic knowledge is vital before you get going! Regardless of which barbecue accessories you choose, your main priority should always be the highest possible quality of the itmes you use, whether grill tongs, gloves or a meat thermometer. It’s always better to spend just a little bit more and have tools that will last much longer. Barbecue accessories made of stainless steel are more resistant, and you can be sure to use them for many barbecues to come. We wish you loads of great barbecue experiences! Bon Appetit!
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