Something about grilling brings out the gadget freak in even the most level-headed cooks. Maybe it’s the heat from the fire, or the smoke in their eyes. But even those whose indoor kitchens are reasonably free of the latest gizmos seem compelled to clutter up their backyard with all manner of equipment.
That said, even if you have the grill of your dreams (I can’t live without my Weber Performer), some well-designed accessories can make al fresco cooking easier. Grilling tools come with an extra criterion: They have to be sturdy enough to withstand not just flames, but the kind of knockabout treatment that comes with the territory. I found six items that are not only durable and easy to use but perform their stated task with aplomb.
It all starts with fire, and charcoal users should know that nothing beats a chimney starter except an even bigger chimney starter, which can save untold hours of lighting and waiting for heat replenishment. The Companion Group’s Ultimate Chimney Starter, emblazoned with barbecue guru Steven
Raichlen’s signature, has square edges that make for easier pouring, and it proves that size matters.
Fish lovers know how difficult it can be to turn a fillet without leaving part of it stuck to the grill grates. There are plenty of techniques aimed at avoiding this – oiling the fish in addition to the grill, leaving it alone until a nice sear is formed, and more.
But you have to turn it at some point. LamsonSharp, the Massachusetts-based maker of fine cutlery, also manufactures fantastic spatulas for commercial as well as residential use, and its fish turner is wide and sharp enough to scrape your salmon right up and over. (Hint: Use it in the same direction as the grates.)
Then there’s the falling-through-to-the-fire problem, which plagues smaller items such as vegetables and hot dogs. For the former, Outset’s grilling skillet has big-enough holes to let the all-important smoke in. (If you didn’t have that, you might as well be cooking inside, as far as I’m concerned.)
Even niftier, the same company’s hot-dog roller takes a concession-stand technique to the grill. Hot dogs sit on the stainless-steel wheels, with generous space between, and when you roll the whole contraption one way or the other, the wheels turn and so do the dogs.
For steak and pork fiends, the fastest turner I’ve seen also might be the most potentially dangerous: Called the Pigtail Food Flipper, it’s a curved hook on a long stick, designed to let you easily pierce one side of a sturdy piece of meat, lift, and flip.
Frequent basters, meanwhile, should consider upgrading to silicone. Angled brushes and mops made by Grill Friends let you dab on the sauce without getting your hands too close to the fire. And that keeps everybody happy.
Six that work
Ultimate Chimney Starter, $27; 888-789-0650 barbecuestore.com.
Pros: Because it holds 7 pounds of charcoal, good for anybody who wants a lot of coals for a big grill.
Cons: Not for those with lesser grilling needs.
LamsonSharp fish turner, $24; 800-872-6564 lamsonsharp.com.
Pros: A long handle and sharp edge help you get under a fillet of fish.
Cons: Price means you should grill a lot of fish to justify the purchase.
Outset BBQ Skillet, $30; 888-478-2433 discountcooking.com.
Pros: Nonstick surface and big holes keep the food moving and let the smoke in.
Cons: Detachable handle doesn’t reattach as easily as it should.
Outset Hot Dog Griller, $25; 800-663-8810 cooking.com.
Pros: With just a push, the hot dogs roll over with no risk of falling between the grates.
Cons: Like the fish turner, this is best for hot-dog addicts.
Pigtail Food Flipper, $15; 518-398-6617 pigtailff.com.
Pros: Lets you snag the end of a piece of meat for easy one-handed flipping.
Cons: Doesn’t work as well on fish or anything so tender that it can easily rip apart.
Grill Friends silicone mop $10; laprimashops.com.
Pros: Silicone keeps mop bristles from melting when basting close to the fire, and angle protects hands.
Cons: An even longer handle would be better.
