BBQs & Barbecuing

A Guide to the Best BBQ Accessories

best bbq accessories

There’s no denying we are a nation that loves firing up the barbecue. While your BBQ grill is an obvious must-have tool to get you started, it’s just as important to have the best BBQ accessories by your side to take your cooking to the next level.

Along with some hints and tips from start to finish, we’ve compiled our recommendations for the BBQ tools essential for grilling al fresco.

Light your BBQ

Whether you’re firing up your charcoal BBQ or lighting your gas BBQ, we’ve got the tools to get you started.

Essential for any charcoal BBQ is a charcoal starter. This is one of the best BBQ accessories to have as it will do all the hard work for you. Simply fill your BBQ’s base with charcoal and add some fire lighters to your lower grill, lighting them with a windproof lighter.

Then it’s just a case of placing the starter on top of the fire and waiting 20-30 minutes for the charcoal pieces to turn white – that’s when you know they’re at the right temperature.

Safety first

Once you can see the flames twinkling away, it’s time to make sure you’re protected from any possible cooking-related injuries. The best way to avoid any of the dangers of working with an open flame is to get yourself an apron and glove set. The gloves are a particularly useful BBQ accessory – no one wants to burn their hands and drop food en route to the table!

Cook for all requirements at the same time

Without the correct BBQ accessories, when it comes to anyone with dietary requirements, you would have to clean the grill to avoid any potential cross-contamination.

We say cook smarter, not harder, with the best BBQ tools.

Try using grill trays to keep foods separated appropriately; there’s grills specially crafted for fish, roasting racks for ribs and grill toppers that are ideal for veg. And we haven’t forgotten burgers, either! Flip them perfectly with a large spatula.

Grill to perfection

To ensure all the food you are preparing comes out perfect, consider using a thermometer – this way you can monitor grilling conditions and ensure you’re left with a well-cooked meal at the end. For larger pieces of meat, kebabs or whole rotisserie chickens, consider using a rotating cooking utensil for the most even cook.

Serve with excellence

Sometimes certain foods require a certain set of BBQ tools to ensure you’re serving up the best meal. For example, when it comes to a tough piece of meat, using a high quality carving knife will stop everyone fighting for the best cuts. Pair your knife with a carving fork, and serve up your delicious food on a serving dish to really wow your guests.

Though we always hope for good weather and clear skies when barbecuing, there may be unexpected turns. Make sure your food stays free of any falling leaves or little critters while on the table with a food protector or keep your guests cool with a garden parasol.

Prepare the BBQ for another day

It’s easy to get caught up in social aspect of hosting a BBQ and forget about the cleaning up.

But thanks to a range of BBQ cleaning accessories, keeping on top of things so your grill is ready for its next use just got a whole lot easier.

The best thing you can do once you’ve finished cooking is to use a strong headed cleaning brush to scrape any scorched food right off the grill. Once the grill is free of any leftover debris, use a BBQ cleaning spray to remove any grease or fat stains.

Finally, a BBQ cover is a must to protect your grill from water, frost and snow if you don’t have proper storage.

Now you’ve got all the best BBQ accessories, go through your BBQ party checklist to ensure you’re ready for any outdoor gathering. Or, if looking to upgrade your BBQ, check out our BBQ Buying Guide for help on deciding which one to go for next.



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