Essential Grill Tools And Accessories Every Grill Master Should Own
Premium Grill Kit - 4 Piece - Tongs, Spatula, Fork, Silicone Basting Brush
I am elated to talk about the love of my life – grilled, charred foods. I look forward to grilling season like no other. Since I’ve used Dalstrong’s culinary line, I can vouch for the fact that they have the best bbq grill tools in town. With a vast variety of products to choose from including grill masters and grill kits, you can never get enough. Let’s start by understanding what grill tool sets contain.
1. What Are Grill Tools?
Whether or not you’re a pitmaster, grilling tools or bbq grill tool sets can be used around the year, especially when the nights get a little chillier, and you want to have fun outdoor cooking with your charcoal grill. Here is everything you need to know about the different grill tools and grilling equipment out there and their importance.
Grill and Bbq accessories like a spatula or a set of cooking tongs is commonly found in the kitchen. But grilling and kitchen tools like grill baskets, metal spatulas, barbecue skewers, meat claws, meat forks, grill tongs, grill brush and scraper, portable grills, and other grill set bbq tools can make all the difference. Here are some of the best grilling tools and accessories.
2. Grilling Tools For Cooking Steak and Vegetables
BBQ Pitmaster Knife 9” | Shadow Black Series - Dalstrong
If you’re trying to grill some steak, you would need a slotted knife and a spatula knife, to begin with. A spatula knife is a hybrid of a carving knife that is made out of stainless steel. Whether you’re trying to grill some steak and vegetables, this knife helps transfer meat and veggies from the cutting board to the grill.
The handle on a spatula knife is ergonomic and long to protect your hands from the heat of the grill. If you want to slice your cooked steak with precision, on one hand, use tongs to hold the meat, and with the other hand, angle your knife and slice uniform pieces of steak.
These are the tools you would need to cook steak and veggies.
Basting Brush
When it comes to firing up the grill, a basting brush is one of many important grilling tools to have. It helps in coating meat and veggies with marinades, as well as lubricating the grill gate. Not only is a basting brush versatile, but also a great flavour enhancer. If you’re cooking steaks or briskets, a basting brush helps you keep the meat juicy by re-applying the marinade.
Grill Mats
While grilling is great fun, it can get quite messy by the end of it. So, a grill mat is a great addition for a seamless clean-up process. The best part about owning a grill mat is that you don’t have to worry about smaller foods like falling into the fire.
Since grill mats have a nonstick cooking surface, you end up using a lot less oil than you normally would. It distributes heat evenly and is easy to clean as well.
Spatula
A spatula is one of many important grilling accessories. It helps with shaping, lifting, and flipping meat, as well as delicate fish. Using a specialized, grilling spatula for meats is a great choice as most of them are equipped with bottle openers or meat hooks that have a serrated edge.
Grilling tools like spatulas also help you keep away from the flame and maneuver much more easily than you would if you were using your bare hands or wearing a pair of grill gloves to move or pick up skewers. Undoubtedly, spatulas make a versatile grilling accessory.
Meat Fork
This grilling utensil is perfect for slicing meat and fish. Meat forks are used to flip and turn slices of meat without piercing or tearing through the flesh completely. A fork knife is a great addition when you’re worried about smaller veggies and meats falling into the flame.
They’re used to check the tenderness of your meat, just like you would use a toothpick to check the doneness of a cake that is being baked. Except, a meat fork is meant for small and large pieces of meat and fish.
Meat Claws
Meat claws are designed for shredding meats. Don’t underestimate these bad boys. The claws on it are razor-sharp and should be handled with care. Getting a pair of meat claws is an incredible choice as one claw can be used to hold the meat in place, almost tearing past its tissues, while the other claw is used for pulling the meat. They are perfect for pulled sandwiches and dips.
Corn Holders
Sharp Bbq knives and corn holders are grilling utensils that protect your hands when you’re at the grill. Eating freshly cooked corn which is moist and hot can burn your fingertips. Corn holders have small handles with good grips and knobbed ends that hold the corn in place. It is a great utensil to use when you’re on the go and don’t want to get your hands dirty. Hands down, corn holders make some of the best bbq tools.
Digital Thermometer
A digital meat thermometer is undoubtedly the most important tool to own when grilling. Apart from choosing the right charcoal for your grill, owning a thermometer that works for you is crucial as it helps keep track of the heat in your grill or meat.
Grilling tools like digital grill thermometers are much more useful than standard meat thermometers since they can be timed to beep or signal you when the meat has reached the targeted internal temperatures. Digital thermometers are oven-proof and can be attached to the grill or oven with a small piece of magnet. It is just that easy.
Cleaning Brush Or Grill Brush
Trust me, a cleaning brush, better known as a grill brush, is your best buddy post grilling. A grill brush helps get rid of stuck-on food particles and grease residue. The best cleaning brushes are made with stainless steel and work efficiently on grill gates made with stainless steel.
3. What To Look For Before Purchasing Grilling Tools
Slicing & Carving Knife 12" | Omega Series
Before you heat up your grill, you need the right grilling tools to make the entire process feel like a breeze. Now that we’ve covered the different types of grilling tools out there, let’s talk about the attributes you should look for and never compromise on.
Basting Brush
- Silicone: Basting brushes made with silicone have a great tendency to not hold onto any odour or grease stains, thanks to their rubber-like texture. Silicone basting brushes can handle heat just as well as stainless steel brushes.
- Stainless Steel: Basting brushes made with stainless steel are built to last for decades on end while remaining hygienic. These basting brushes don’t lose shape, melt, or shed. Stainless steel basting brushes can handle high heat.
Grill Mats
The best grill mat would have a nonstick cooking surface that is also thick in build and has even heat distribution. A good grill mat would have the tendency to take on high heat (600 Fº).
Spatula
- Length: A spatula with a longer handle helps maneuver easily over the grill grates without the hazard of burning your hand.
- Head Size: The larger the size of the head in a spatula, the easier it is to hold onto meat. A large head also helps to plate bigger pieces of meat on the plate without puncturing its surface or dropping it.
- Ergonomic Grip: The angle at which your spatula is designed plays an important role when grilling. Nonslip and good grips are great attributes of a spatula.
- Slots: A spatula with more than 4 slots is considered an all-rounder as it helps drain out excess oil and grease from your meat and veggies before placing them on a plate.
Meat Fork
There are 2 types of meat forks that come in handy at different stages of grilling.
- Broiler Forks: Broiler forks have shorter prongs than bayonet forks and are used to check the tenderness or doneness of meat while it is cooking. It has a long handle so you don’t burn yourself when twisting and turning meat.
- Carving Forks: Carving forks are a great addition to be paired with carving knives. They are perfect when you’re grilling poultry. Carving forks and knives protect your hands from the heat while helping you achieve beautiful slices of meat through their ergonomic handle.
Meat Claws
Meat claws made with stainless steel are the most sturdy kind. They are durable and can handle meats that have come off the grill and are extremely hot. A slip-proof handle in meat claws is quite important, as the claws are razor-sharp and can injure if you slip while pulling the meat.
Corn Holders
Corn holders that have small, knobbed ends provide great grip and prevent you from burning your hand while eating moist and hot corn on the cob.
Digital Meat Thermometer
There are 5 different types of thermometers, but only 2 of them are necessary when grilling.
- Instant-Read Thermometer: Instant-read thermometers are available in a probe and digital style. This thermometer allows you to take instant readings of the food that’s on the grill. While they’re great to test the doneness of the meat, they can’t be left in the meat while it cooks.
- Digital Meat Thermometer: A digital meat thermometer is an upgraded version of the instant-read thermometer. The key difference is that this thermometer should only be inserted into the joints of meat or a whole carcass. It can also be left in after your meat comes off the grill. This helps you monitor the resting temperature. Digital thermometers also emit a signal or a beep to help you time your grilling. They can be stuck to the side of a grill with a small piece of magnet.
Cleaning Brush or Grill Brush
A cleaning brush or grill brush with stainless steel bristles works best for dirty grills. A heavy-duty grill brush will prevent the bristles from breaking apart and lodging on the grill gates. A grill brush with a long and ergonomic handle is the best kind. They work perfectly well on gas grills, too.
4. How To Pick Charcoal For Your Grill
The kind of charcoal that you use while grilling food affects the meat quite a lot. There are two types of charcoal that are available. Let’s read them a little more. Learning more about this will help you choose the perfect charcoal for your grill, as all foods are different.
Charcoal Briquettes
These are little nuggets of charcoal that are made with dense sawdust that are extremely affordable, and most commonly used. They have a tendency to burn for longer hours with consistent heat. This makes it great for grilling steaks, burgers, and large pieces of meat. Charcoal briquettes are also quite dependable if you plan on grilling for a couple of hours on end.
Hardwood Lump Charcoal
Hardwood lump charcoal is used to enhance the smokiness of foods. Such as smoked briskets and hams. Hardwood lump charcoal burns hotter than charcoal briquettes, but less evenly. So, you would have to place a grill mat on the gates of your grill for your food to cook evenly.
5. How To Clean Your Grill
Cleaning your grill can seem like a daunting task after cooking at the grill, but with the right tools, it feels like a walk in the park. Here are the steps you need to follow to clean your grill and remove the charcoal that has gathered at the bottom.
Removing charcoal from your grill immediately once you’re done grilling is crucial. Leaving it until the next time you grill can contaminate your grill and the food that you cook on it. The ash build-up also blocks the vents of your grill. So, it is best to tend to it immediately.
Steps:
- Wait for the charcoal to cool down. This is because the charcoal will bind together instead of crumbling when you try to pick it up.
- Then, use a slotted spatula to pull out the remaining charcoal.
- Use a grilling brush with a long handle to clean the grates first.
- Use a paper towel or a clean spatula to grease the grill gates with some vegetable oil.
- Once the debris begins to fall off the grill grates, you can begin cleaning the inside of the grill with a soapy mixture.
- Pat your grill dry with a paper towel.
6. Dalstrong’s Best Grill Tools
1. Meat Shredding Claws Dalstrong
This meat shredding claw is designed to shred the flesh of small and large meats such as beef, pork, and chicken. This meat shredding claw has been tempered with stainless steel for razor-sharp teeth that help pull meat for sandwiches and dips. It is perfect if you want to achieve uniform slices, too.
Pros:
- This meat shredding claw is low in maintenance and stain-resistant.
- Fits into budgets and has a copper mosaic for a striking appearance.
Cons:
- If you don’t grill quite often, you may not consider this a necessity. But, it is a complete game-changer that helps make everyday pulled sandwiches and dips.
- Some may find this meat shredding claw a tad intimidating.
2. Premium Grill Kit - 4 Piece - Tongs, Spatula, Fork, Silicone Basting Brush
This grill kit is premium for all the right reasons. It includes barbecue tongs, a grill spatula, a meat fork, and a basting brush with ergonomic G10 handles that are designed for resilience and durability. The tools in this premium grill kit are resistant to water, stains, and heat.
Pros:
- Comes with a silicone basting brush that is perfect to enhance the flavour profile of your food.
- The grill spatula has serrations on it to help you check the doneness of your food.
Cons:
- This grill kit may be out of budget for some.
- You may prefer a spatula with additional slots on it to drain excessive oil.
3. BBQ Pitmaster & Meat Knife 8" with Forked Tip & Bottle Opener Shogun Series
Skilled barbecuer or not, this 8” inch pitmaster and meat knife from the Shogun series have a cutting core edge, thanks to the premium Japanese steel it is made with. The blade on this knife is perfect for flipping meat and provides comfort and agility. The spine of this knife is equipped with a bottle opener, too!
Pros:
- Made with premium quality Japanese steel.
- Impervious to heat and moisture.
Cons:
- May not be the best fit for budgeteers.
- Could be an overkill for the novice.
4. Food Tongs 12" Scalloped Silicone Tips
This 12” food tong has a scalloped silicone tip to handle heavy cuts of meat and veggies. The silicone head is compatible with nonstick cookware as well. Made with high carbon steel and a G10 grip, this food tong will make grilling seem like an easy process.
Pros:
- This food tong can be used to stack, stir, and flip large and small meats or vegetables.
- The length of this food tong helps keep your hands away from heat and oil splatters.
Cons:
- If you’re looking for longer tongs, this may not work for you. But rest assured, it will keep your hands away from the flame.
- You may be looking for cooking tongs made entirely with stainless steel.
5. Boning Knife 6” Gladiator Series | NSF Certified
This boning knife is incredibly functional and the perfect size for a home cook or a professional chef. Impervious to heat, cold, and moisture, this boning knife is perfectly compatible with a grill as it can handle high temperatures. The blade is made with German ThyssenKrupp steel and is hardened at 56+ Rockwell.
Pros:
- Angled at 16º-18º for precision.
- Full tang blade for robustness.
Cons:
- You could be on the lookout for a longer blade. Fret not, Dalstrong has a great variety of boning and filleting knives.
- You may prefer the blade to be angled differently. For instance, 12º-15º degrees.
7. Frequently Asked Questions
What tools are used for grilling?
Basting brushes, spatulas, grill mats, meat claws, meat forks, grill brushes, and corn holders are the most common tools used for grilling.
What tools do you need to grill a steak?
You would need a basting brush set, spatula tongs, digital thermometer, a sharp knife, and a meat fork. Grill mats also help in distributing heat evenly throughout the steak.
What is the grill rack called?
A grill rack is called a warming rack. It helps keep your food warm and moist.
What comes in a grill set?
Tongs, Spatula, Fork, and Silicone Basting Brush are the tools that come in a grill set.
