A Practical Guide to 7 Essential BBQ Tools You’ll Actually Use

If you’re considering taking up grilling, it’s important to have a few essential tools. In most places, BBQ culture involves cooking with charcoal or wood, as that lends the most flavor. Let’s take a look at seven essential BBQ tools that help you flip food, get the temperature right, and clean the grill.

1. Tongs

A good pair of tongs is essential for grilling. Tongs allow you to safely and efficiently flip food without piercing it and losing the juices. Tongs are also ideal for flipping small pieces of food like shrimp or vegetables. You can find tongs in many different styles, including long, medium, and short varieties. Short tongs are easier to work with, but longer tongs keep your hands away from the heat.

2. Spatula

Some foods require a different kind of turning tool, and that’s where the spatula comes in. Spatulas are especially handy for flipping burgers as they might fall apart if you try to flip them with tongs. They can also be used for items like steak or fish.

3. Grill Brush

When it comes to keeping your grill clean, a trusty grill brush is a must. These tools are equipped with wire bristles to remove charred food remains. Some grill brushes also come with metal scrapers at the end, and some may also have a reverse side with a pad for smoothing oil onto the grill grates.

4. Meat Thermometer

Even though many grill masters instinctively know when food is done by how it looks and feels, if you’re just getting started, a meat thermometer is a must. This is especially true if you’re cooking things like steaks or thick pieces of chicken. It can be difficult to tell when these are done by look and feel alone.

5. Chimney Starter

A quick and efficient way to light a charcoal grill without lighter fluid or matchlight coals is to use a chimney starter. This involves packing the coals into the starter and putting paper on top. After lighting the paper, you simply wait until the coals get hot before pouring them into the BBQ. The tight, enclosed area of the starter ensures that everything lights and gets hot. Whether you have a patio covering or not to keep out the weather, a chimney starter avoids unwanted flavors from lighter fluid.

6. Heat-Resistant Gloves

It’s common with charcoal grills that you’ll need to move the grates around during or before cooking. You might also want to grill with a topper or pan. Heat-resistant gloves ensure that you can move hot grills and cooking devices easily without burning your hands.

7. Basting Brush

The easiest way to apply sauces and marinades to your food while it’s grilling is to use a basting brush. The best type of basting brush has rubber tines at the end to hold liquid and make it easier to clean. To avoid having your hands too close to the grill, you can invest in a long-handled basting brush as well.