7 Essential Grilling Tools for a Successful BBQ Party

Warm weather means more BBQ parties are on the horizon! However, having the right BBQ accessories is important for them to go well. These essential tools ensure that your food is cooked to perfection and contribute to the overall enjoyment of the event. The right grilling tools are an investment that pays off in delicious food, happy friends and family, and a smoothly run event - all the key ingredients for a fantastic BBQ party! Whether that's having the right BBQ cleaning equipment to keep a clean grill, or the correct gloves to protect your hands and avoid accidents spoiling the party. Keep reading as we break down 7 essential grilling tools to make your next BBQ a flaming success!

Essential BBQ Grilling Tools

When it comes to essential BBQ grilling tools, there's a wide array of options available to suit every griller's needs.

Grill Brush

A grill brush is a crucial tool in maintaining a clean BBQ cooking surface. It's not just about aesthetics; it's about ensuring the quality and safety of your grilling experience. By removing leftover food and burnt residue, a grill brush promotes hygiene and extends the life of your grill.

There are different types of grill brushes available, including wire bristle and nylon bristle brushes. Wire bristle brushes are highly recommended as they can remove leftover food and burnt residue on BBQ grill plates with ease!

To properly clean your grill using a grill brush, always allow the grill to cool down before starting. Then, simply grab your wire brush, dip it in warm soapy water, and begin scrubbing away at the residue and grime to freshen up your BBQ.

Tongs

A reliable pair of tongs is an essential BBQ accessory, allowing you to be in complete control when cooking up a storm and and turning food on the grill with ease.

Unlike a fork that will pierce your food, tongs offer a secure grip that allows you to confidently flip burgers, sausages, and steaks without them falling apart. Long handed tongs also keep your hands safely away from hot coals or flames on the grill.

When cooking on the grill, food can easily stick, leading to uneven cooking. Using quality tongs allows you to make quick adjustments and prevent sticking, resulting in evenly cooked dishes. With their versatility, tongs make it easy to re-position food around the grill for optimal cooking

Grilling Spatula

When compared to tongs, the grilling spatula offers a wider, flatter surface, making it ideal for cooking certain food types. Delicate foods like fish fillets or thin vegetables can easily tear or break when flipped with tongs. A spatula provides a solid platform to manoeuvre these with ease.

Never rush the flip! It's important not to rush the flip - lift the food slowly with the spatula to avoid jerky movements that could cause it to fall apart. When transferring food to a plate, hold the plate at a slight angle and gently slide the food off the spatula onto the plate.

Grill Gloves

Grill gloves are essential for protecting your hands and arms from burns while handling hot grilling equipment. Grills can reach scorching temperatures, and even a moment's contact can cause serious burns if one isn't careful. Having high-quality gloves offers peace of mind, that should an accident happen, the risk of a bad burn will be reduced.

These gloves are typically made from two main materials: silicone and heat-resistant fabric, such as Kevlar or Nomex. Silicone offers moderate heat resistance, usually up to around 260 degrees delicious. However, heat-resistant fabrics offer far better heat protection, often higher than 420 degrees Celsius. The choice between the two depends on factors such as how frequently you BBQ and the temperature of your grill.

Grill Basket

A grill basket is a must-have accessory for your summer BBQ sessions, designed to prevent small or delicate foods from slipping through the grates. It acts as a perforated metal container that sits on your grill grates, offering a convenient way to cook small & delicate foods. Small veggies like cherry tomatoes and asparagus, along with some seafood such as shrimp and scallops are perfect for a grill basket!

To make sure your food cooks evenly, and to prevent it from sticking to the basket, try not to overcrowd it. Leave space between your food pieces, for proper air circulation. Overcrowding can trap moisture and steam, leading to soggy results.

Grill baskets come in various types, including vegetable, fish, and mesh baskets, each serving specific purposes. Vegetable baskets are ideal for grilling small veggies, while fish baskets are designed to hold delicate fish fillets securely. Mesh baskets are versatile and can be used for a variety of foods. They are perfect to host a summer party in your backyard.

BBQ Fork

Unlike a normal fork in our kitchen, a BBQ fork is designed to be heavy tool duty, durable and to excel in the high-heat environment of a grill. The long sturdy prongs of a BBQ fork can pierce and hold large cuts of meat like roast beef or a whole chicken. This allows you to confidently flip, rotate and reposition them on the grill without worrying about them falling apart.

Sausages are a regular feature in many BBQs. However, grilling them can be a little tricky as they burst open with too much pressure. A BBQ fork ensures you can safely pierce and turn them, releasing built-up steam and heat without splitting the casing.

BBQ Skewers Set

Barbeque skewers are like culinary chopsticks for your grill! They are versatile and give you the chance to spice up your cooking style. The beauty of skewers lies in their ability to combine an array of ingredients. Personalise them and thread meats, vegetables, and seafood onto skewers and create colourful and flavoursome kabobs.

Skewering also ensures all your ingredients are exposed to the heat evenly, leading to perfectly cooked and beautifully caramelized food. Maximise flavour and visual appeal by picking up your BBQ skewers today!

Having the right accessories on hand will improve your BBQ experience tenfold. You'll notice the improvement in food, the reduction in stress and overall enjoyment on your next grilling party! Explore our Outdoor Living to find everything you need to host the perfect outdoor gathering this summer.