Grilling, like any other activity, requires the right set of tools if you are to be successful. If your grilling efforts are not quite up to par, perhaps it’s because you are not using the right tools. Here are five tools that are a must for any backyard chef.
#1. Long Handled Steel Tongs
If you are picking up or flipping meat with a fork, you need to stop. Piercing foods with a fork will allow tender juices to escape, causing items to taste dry and bland. The ideal tongs will be spring loaded to provide a strong grip, and have a long enough handle to keep your hands and forearms away from the flames. Ones with a locking mechanism are also easier to store whenever they are not in use.
#2. Marinade Injector
Forget basting foods with a marinade and having them to sit for hours on end. A marinade injector will allow you to start grilling sooner, and has the added benefit of injecting flavor into even the thickest cuts of meat. One of these tools will come in especially handy when grilling very tough cuts of meat, especially when you use a vinegar-based marinade to help break down fibers.
#3. Meat Thermometer
It is often difficult to tell when thick cuts of steak, chicken, or pork are completely done. As such, you may end up with an outside that is overly done and an inside that is raw or pink. What’s more, not all pieces will get done at the same time, so you can’t assume that just because one of them is finished that all the rest are. A meat thermometer takes all the guesswork out of cooking, allowing you to know when the right time to pull or turn certain foods is.
#4. Charcoal Chimney
Take the guesswork out of charcoal grilling and prevent that lighter fluid taste by using a charcoal chimney. A charcoal chimney is cylinder shaped, and channels heat from wood kindling so you can avoid the use of lighter fluid altogether. An added bonus is that it speeds heating time so you can begin cooking in as little as ten minutes. Just fill the chimney, place it on your grill, and then work on preparing your foods while you wait for it to heat up.
#5. Barbeque Spatula
When removing foods from the grill, you’ll need a long-handled spatula. Sliding a spatula gently underneath cuts of meat will allow them to “rest” properly so they are juicy and tender when you are ready to eat them. You also won’t have to worry about shredding the skin of your chicken or leaving behind any of your tasty marinade or sauces. Ideally, your spatula should be made from a heat-resistant material such as stainless steel, which is very easy to clean.
Now is the time to check your barbeque toolkit to see if these five items are in it. If not, invest in them now before you are ready to grill, and you will notice a tremendous difference in the way your foods taste during your next cookout.