Get Your Grill On

One the most frequent questions I get from family and friends is “What tools do I need for cooking barbecue?” The reason I think this becomes an important question is because of the many different options we find in both commercials and stores around the country.

What I want to do is give you a basic list of tools I’ve found to be invaluable when participating in competitive barbeque contests and in preparation and cooking of barbequing for family or catering customers.

• Tongs- In my book this is the most valuable tool in my barbeque arsenal. The last thing I want to do is puncture food on my smoker or barbeque and loose the heavenly juices contained within the food. Using tongs helps in turning, moving, removing and positioning your food without puncturing or damaging it.

My recommendation for quality tongs that will last and not become damaged after a few times of use would be to purchase them from restaurant equipment supplieier, Costco, Sam’s Club or any kitchen outlet resource. Cost can range from $1-$2 dollars a piece and they can be found in various sizes and styles.

• Protective Gloves- No matter what kind of smoker, charcoal grill or gas grill you have, it’s a good idea to have some sort of protective gloves to help place, move or remove items from your grill.

Gloves come in different styles and provide varying levels of protection. You can find thermo gloves, leather gloves and various other styles that are made specifically for high heat and food preparation.

What I have found that works well, lasts and holds up to the abuse I put them through between contests and catering gigs is a pair of leather welding gloves. You can generally find a good pair of welding gloves at your local hardware store or welding supply company. They average in price anywhere from $15 and up.

• Thermometer- Even thought you may have a temperature gauge on your grill or smoker, the fact is they can be off in temperature or break over time. Because of this I don’t put a lot of weight in these gages and use a hand held thermometer. You can pick up a basic gauge at your local grocery store, hardware store, kitchen supply or even on the internet, but for me and in my experience you can’t beat the Thermopen (http://www.thermoworks.com).

If you barbeque a lot or you plan on doing it for a while a Thermopen is the way to go. The initial investment for the hand held digital probe gauge is $85. What makes the Thermopen a big choice among competitive barbeque competitors is the convenience and accuracy. It only takes three (3) seconds for an accurate reading from the Thermopen. For my money this is the way to go and will pay for itself with the frequent use it will get.

• Disposable aluminum pans- In my opinion these pans are worth their weight in gold. They’re light weight, convenient and make for easy clean up. You can find these at any grocery store, but if you plan on doing a lot of barbequing you might be interested in buying in bulk. I have found a set of 30 disposable pans at Sam’s Club and Costco for $8-$10.

• Spray bottle- Last but certainly not least is the plastic spray bottle. The value in having a spray bottle is one that should not easily be overlooked. Most individuals will find it invaluable for those occasional flare ups we experience while grilling from time to time.

More commonly though, I use spray bottles to help add flavor to the food I’m smoking or grilling. A mop or sop that can be sprayed will be easily applied with a spray bottle. If you’re a regular at my home or have me cater barbeque at your site, you will see several of these spray bottles being put use containing anything from apple juice to Dr. Pepper. You can find spray bottles at your local grocery store or hardware store. Average cost ranges anywhere from .75 and up.

Well, that’s it! This is what I have in my arsenal of barbeque tools that I cant live without and helps me in preparation of the best barbeque I can make. With a little preparation and homework you can make barbequing a safe and enjoyable hobby that can be passed on from generation to generation.

Chuck Marting chuckmarting@bossmanbbq.com