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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.
Considerations when
selecting Essential Grilling Accessories
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.
A Look at the Essentials
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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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.
Price
Range
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.
Top
Manufacturers/Brands
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