Is there anything more rewarding and relaxing than spending some quality time with your loved ones while munching on delicious food? Cold drink in hand, listening to the meat sizzling on the grill, coupled with the sounds of energetic chatter and laughter from friends and family is all that you can ask for. We doubt there’s anything that can top that. Seeing as our fast-paced lives are incredibly hectic and busy, we could definitely use a moment to unwind and kick our feet up.
With that out of the way, some people decide to go on hiking or camping adventures to be one with nature but you’re the type of person who’d rather choose a more laid-back scenario. So you go for the next best thing – continuing the national barbecue tradition with a small get-together in the comfort of your own home.
As you’re preparing for the big day, you’ll need to make sure that everything is in check and you have all of your tools ready. It’s quite a hefty list to we’ll be giving you a head start by laying down the essential outdoor barbecue accessories to make the most delicious, finger-licking food you’ve ever tried.
What Barbecue Accessories Do You Need?
Having the right accessories is crucial to getting things right. Without further ado, here’s a quick checklist of all the bbq accessories that you’ll need.
Charcoal
If you want to stick to conventions, you’ll have to get enough charcoal to last you through the whole barbecue session. Hardwood lump charcoal is the preferred option for many since it burns much hotter and faster than other types. This means that your food will be cooked much faster without losing any of its taste. Unfortunately, the downside to this form of charcoal is that it’s a little unpredictable so you need to be very careful when handling it.
Long-Necked Lighter
Let’s face it, using regular lighters or matches can be a real struggle when you’re trying to get your barbecue going. Instead, long-necked lighters provide just the right amount of comfort and reachability necessary to light up the smoke, all while keeping you at a safe distance. However, it’s important that you keep it away from children to avoid potential accidents and fire hazards. After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry when you’re dealing with fire.
Cooking Utensils
Once your barbecue is all warmed up and ready to go, you’ll need the right kitchen tools to navigate through all of your food. We’re talking about long-handled tongs to help you get a good grip, a durable spatula to flip your meat when necessary, a carving knife and for the occasional slice and dice and any and all other cooking tools and utensils you think will come in handy.
Barbecue Rack
Sure, barbecues are all about the meat but would you pass up on the opportunity to add a bit of extra flavour with some grilled vegetables? We didn’t think so. Seeing as many vegetables are on the smaller side, you’ll need to place them on a rack on top of your grill so that they don’t fall through the barbecue grate. Word of advice – it’s better to get a stainless steel reusable rack instead of the single-use ones because they’re convenient and cost-effective. If you’re the type of person that likes to do barbecues frequently, this will save you a lot of money in the long run.
Barbecue Gloves
Since you’ll be dealing with an extremely hot surface and sizzling temperatures, you’ll have to take all necessary precautions to ensure your safety. And no, your kitchen pot gloves won’t cut it. You’ll need to get a special pair that’s able to withstand burning hot temperatures.
Foil
You don’t need foil for the barbecue grill per se but it might come in handy when you want to conserve some of the heat by tenting your meat while it’s resting. Additionally, you can use foil to wrap up some of the leftovers so that you can eat them later in the day.
Grill Brushes
You’re more than likely to get a little messy while using your barbecue grill. This is why grill brushes are one of the most important outdoor barbecue accessories you should have. They’re pretty lightweight and compact which means they can easily get into all of the cuts and crevices that are difficult to reach. It’s a good idea to brush down your barbecue after each grilling session to keep everything clean and wipe down excess residue. After all, you need to be extra careful when you’re handling your food.
Barbecue Cover
When all has been said and done and the festivities are coming to a close, it’s advisable to keep your barbecue covered to prevent unwanted visitors from having a field day on it. When you cover it up, you’re effectively minimising the risk of dust, bugs and all sorts of other bugs. In this way, you’ll effectively keep your grill clean until the next time you need to use it.
You just need to make sure that the cover is a good match for the type of barbecue you have. If it’s ill-fitting or not positioned properly, your grill won’t be protected in the way you want it to be.