Just got my first grill. Need advice for buying essential accessories.

[slugg]

Yay, a grill! Oh yea, I need to buy grill stuff now. I got a really good deal on this grill (not the retail price).

First dumb question: the specs say it's 55 inches wide. How are grill covers sized? Is a 55 inch grill cover designed to fit a 55 inch grill (therefore, it'll be slightly larger than 55 inches), or should I buy something slightly larger, like 60 inches or so?

Also, can anyone recommend a decent set of grilling utensils to start with? Brushes, tongs, etc. Something with decent bang for my buck, and I really don't care if it's a matching set versus piecing something together.

Any other tips are welcome and appreciated. I'm new to grilling, but I'm fairly decent in the kitchen. Thanks!

 

[sdifox]

Yeah 55" cover is designed for 55" grill

 

[pete6032]

You want me to come over and put my meat on your grill?

 

[kt]

You want me to come over and put my meat on your grill?

He wants tips. Tips only. He welcomes and appreciates it.

 

[Kaido]

1. Grill cover

2. Second propane tank. Lifesaver when you're cooking & run out of fuel...just swap it out & get back to cookin', then go & refill the other one at your leisure. Nothing is worse than having to finish cooking your food in the oven once you've started it on the grill

3. Oven gloves. More of a pain to use than oven mitts, but you can work with your fingers better, like if you have to hold the inside of the lid or something. I have these:

http://www.amazon.com/Grill-Heat-Aid-Resistant-Light-Weight/dp/B00CHO64NE

4. Meat claws. Useful for both grabbing hot food & shredding meat: (ex. pulled pork)

http://www.amazon.com/Pulled-Pork-Meat-Claws-Kassa/dp/B00G4SCGNQ

5. Wireless temperature probe. You can set it to alert you when your meat has hit a certain temperature:

http://www.amazon.com/Ivation-Long-Range-Wireless-Thermometer/dp/B00ANCXJR6

6. Nonstick grill spray. Same idea as Pam, but you can spray it right onto your grill after it's lit up & hot: (won't explode on you)

http://www.amazon.com/Weber-GrillN-Spray-6-Oz/dp/B00Z75FWSS

7. Cast-iron press. Useful for stuff like smashburgers, paninis, etc:

http://www.amazon.com/Update-International-Heavy-Weight-Hamburger-Commercial/dp/B002LDDKZ6

8. Some kind of metal surface - a cast-iron skillet (go with a 12" if you wan to use the press), a cast-iron griddle (reversible - grill marks on one side, flat on the other), a Baking Steel, etc. If you want to do pizza, also pick up a pizza stone (unless you get a big flat plate like a Baking Steel, which can do double-duty). Look up Fibrament boards if you want something custom-sized for your grill. You can do a bunch of stuff with these...smashburgers, searing, breakfast foods (pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, French toast, etc.), warm up tortillas (or make tortillas!), etc.

9. Misc. utensils. I usually just buy a cheap grilling pack that has some sort of skewers, a grill scraper, etc. Oh and tongs. Any metal grabby tongs work fine, like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Pinch-SPRT-9-Spring-Tongs-9/dp/B011V3EVUO

10. Websites. Tons of stuff to try. Here are a couple:

http://amazingribs.com/

http://www.seriouseats.com/grilling

If you like fish, try out my 5-star Salmon recipe:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showpost.php?p=24270732&postcount=2

These are the best chicken thighs I've ever had:

http://asweetandsavorylife.com/grilled-or-roasted-spice-rubbed-chicken-thighs-my-go-to-easy-dinner/

Some other great stuff to try on your new grill:

1. Smashburgers (you flatten them down 5 Guys-style)
2. Honey-mustard chicken strips (the thin tenderloin ones)
3. Chicken cutlets (take a chicken breast, put it in a ziploc bag, smash the heck out of it with a rolling pin until it's 1/4" thick, then grill it with whatever sauce you like - BBQ, sweet & sour, etc.)
4. Thousand Onion Chicken (grill up some chicken breasts, pour Thousand Island dressing over, then top with caramelized onions)
5. Meatloaf burgers (tons of recipes online - makes a nice thick, juicy, SOFT burger patty)

I'm sure I'm missing some stuff, but typing this has made me hungry, off to find some food :awe:

 

[Kaido]

Oh yeah and for steak, try out the reverse sear method:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showpost.php?p=38109985&postcount=118

 

[dullard]

Personally, I'd just go with simple. I've used a dozen or so grill setups at different houses and the fancier utensils just suck. You'll know it the instant you try to use it and you'll curse yourself for ever wasting your money on what looked good in the store.

For example, don't buy utensils with fancy locks (such as to keep tongs shut). No one can ever use them. I've got a set like that from a Christmas present once. Gravity lets you use the tongs. Point it just right at your food and the tongs open. Sometimes, maybe, if you are standing on one foot while twirling, and only then if you are lucky. Also skip any combo tong/spatula. It'll get stuck in the grill and you'll be prying it out over and over again. Also skip any food basket type item. They tend to suck.

But also skip the cheapo stuff with seams or sharp corners right where you grip it.

I'd personally skip anything to clean the grill. You'll get the grill to 400°F or more when you use it, so bacteria isn't something to be concerned with. All that elbow grease does is wipe away flavor. Yes, I realize that I'll never convince many people of this simple fact.

What you will want to use a lot is a good set of long tongs that work well in your hands. You'll also use a long brush to put things on your food (I like to rub oil on vegies or pesto on lamb during the grilling process). If you are new to grilling you may want a food thermometer as well. Also a good set of skewers really come in handy.

Kaido is also right about the second propane tank.

 

[cbrunny]

accessories? like tongs, flippers, brushes, and stuff? Go to canadian tire. get whatever is on sale. a flipper is a flipper.

veg trays are great too though unessential if you also have tin foil.

dont forget the meat. that's the most important accessory of all.

 

[Denly]

You don't need anything, just cover, brushes, tongs.

I said cover only to protect the temp gauge, good SS grill with SS grate won't rust and it won't let rain get in side when close. My grill have been sitting in the snow for 10yrs np. If it is cast iron grate then make sure you clean it everytime and put the cover back on.

Also clean the oil cup once a yr.

 

[ponyo]

You don't need anything, just cover, brushes, tongs.

I said cover only to protect the temp gauge, good SS grill with SS grate won't rust and it won't let rain get in side when close. My grill have been sitting in the snow for 10yrs np. If it is cast iron grate then make sure you clean it everytime and put the cover back on.

Also clean the oil cup once a yr.

This. Tongs and spatula for flipping and removing the food. Grill scraper/brush if you have SS grates to clean. Extra propane tank is nice to have. That's pretty much all you need.

 

[slugg]

Awesome. I've got a grill cover and a basic utensil set in my Amazon shopping cart. I'll pick up a second propane tank and some grill spray in a brick and mortar store. I picked up a cast iron, reversible griddle at Home Goods for $15. This is probably a good starting point for me.

About food thermometers... I was given one of those electronic fork thermometers for Christmas. Are these any good, or should I go with something else?

Thanks!

 

[slugg]

You want me to come over and put my meat on your grill?

Your meat is too small; it'll fall through the grate.

 

[ponyo]

Awesome. I've got a grill cover and a basic utensil set in my Amazon shopping cart. I'll pick up a second propane tank and some grill spray in a brick and mortar store. I picked up a cast iron, reversible griddle at Home Goods for $15. This is probably a good starting point for me.

About food thermometers... I was given one of those electronic fork thermometers for Christmas. Are these any good, or should I go with something else?

Thanks!

http://www.thermoworks.com/products/thermapen/

It's what I use and recommend.

 

[piasabird]

meat + charcoal.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

http://www.thermoworks.com/products/thermapen/

It's what I use and recommend.

I would definitely get some type of instant-read thermometer. I can't emphasize enough how important this is, to avoid that your meat is cooked thoroughly without being overcooked. I myself use a Thermapen Classic, which is $70. If that is too spendy, get a Thermopop - http://www.thermoworks.com/products/low_cost/thermopop.html Maverick also makes some good ones that are inexpensive. While you're at it, throw in a magnetic temperature guide like this one - http://thermoworks.com/products/gifts_and_apparel/temp_guide_magnet2.html

In terms of gloves, I have tried just about everything out there, but have ultimately concluded that the best solution is to get boxes of disposable food-safe nitrile gloves. I can use these for prep and on the grill. Because they are so thin, they don't affect my dexterity (some of the latex grill gloves are downright cartoonish in this way - you can't feel or hold onto anything). Because they are disposable, they don't get gross like most other gloves. I often wash my hands, in the gloves, repeatedly during a cook session, but toss the gloves at the end. You can also use cotton liners inside them to give more heat protection during high-heat cooks.

Oh, it's not a bad idea to get an apron. My fiancee bought me a cool Weber one (comes compete with a bottle opener!) - http://www.amazon.com/Weber-Style-6452-Barbecue-Apron/dp/B002PYZFHW

I have to throw in a plug for Malcom Reed's BBQ store, at http://www.killerhogs.com. He sells the gloves and liners I mentioned at a great price. The guy is fantastic. Their products are well-chosen and fairly priced, and they are just great to deal with. Actually, this week I had an issue after a shipment from them (just some gloves and liners, and a t-shirt) was stolen from outside my house. I sent Malcom an email saying what had happened, so he could make a claim with USPS, but making it clear it was not his fault and that I was not upset with him. He immediately responded and re-shipped everything (to my office this time) at no charge. Hard to beat that kind of service.

 

[bruceb]

They pretty much covered it all. I prefer utensils with a wooden handle and you may want to add an electric coal lighter (if you don't use the propane)

 

[V00DOO]

Extra propane tank highly recommended and refill the empty when you switch them. Just last week my propane tank went empty while I was cooking steak and the extra tank hasn't been refill. Dinner ruin!

 

[Sho'Nuff]

I usually don't recommend buying name brand stuff, but 12 years ago someone bought me a pampered chef bbq turner and tongs set. Its been used 3-4x per week for 12 years and still looks new. Well worth the $$.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

meat + charcoal.

+ charcoal chimney.

 

[Kaido]

You'll also use a long brush to put things on your food (I like to rub oil on vegies or pesto on lamb during the grilling process).

Oh yeah, I have a silicon basting brush for that. Works awesome (surprisingly) & no hairs from a regular brush in your food! Makes slopping on BBQ super easy!

 

[Kaido]

Extra propane tank highly recommended and refill the empty when you switch them. Just last week my propane tank went empty while I was cooking steak and the extra tank hasn't been refill. Dinner ruin!

http://www.nooooooooooooooo.com/

 

[Kaido]

http://www.thermoworks.com/products/thermapen/

It's what I use and recommend.

As a budget-friendly alternative, this model is $25:

http://www.amazon.com/Ultra-Accurate-High-Performing-Digital-Thermometer/dp/B00OXHQL3Q/

Although I recommend a model like the Ivation (linked earlier) because it's wireless & can beep when your meat hits the desired temperature - that way you can chill in the house while the food cooks (ex. reverse-sear steak for ~45 minutes, gets pretty boring sitting there watching a closed grill). Alternatively, my buddy has an iGrill, which talks to your smartphone. They just got bought by Weber:

http://product.weber.com/igrill/

Pretty fun nerdy grilling tool!

 

[Kaido]

In terms of gloves, I have tried just about everything out there, but have ultimately concluded that the best solution is to get boxes of disposable food-safe nitrile gloves. I can use these for prep and on the grill. Because they are so thin, they don't affect my dexterity (some of the latex grill gloves are downright cartoonish in this way - you can't feel or hold onto anything). Because they are disposable, they don't get gross like most other gloves. I often wash my hands, in the gloves, repeatedly during a cook session, but toss the gloves at the end. You can also use cotton liners inside them to give more heat protection during high-heat cooks.

Whoa neat, thanks! Found a video demo of the combo:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLmK3fob2GE

100-pack of nitrile gloves for $10:

https://h2qshop.com/collections/barbecue-equipment/products/black-nitrishield-stealth-gloves

24-pack glove liners for $8:

https://h2qshop.com/collections/barbecue-equipment/products/killer-hogs-hand-savers-glove-liner

I do some messy cooks sometimes (raw meat, sauces, rubs, etc.) & disposables would be REALLY nice. This seems like a good combination for both grip & finger functionality.

 

[Kaido]

accessories? like tongs, flippers, brushes, and stuff? Go to canadian tire. get whatever is on sale. a flipper is a flipper.

veg trays are great too though unessential if you also have tin foil.

dont forget the meat. that's the most important accessory of all.

Also per Don's link, a cookie cooling-style rack is useful for smaller or floppy stuff that you want to grill:

https://h2qshop.com/collections/barbecue-equipment/products/killer-hogs-pork-racks-double-pack

Those are handy for stuff like chicken tenderloin strips that are only about an inch wide & 1/8" to 1/4" thick - sometimes they tend to hang down between the grill grates of a normal grill.

 

[DrPizza]

Extra propane tank highly recommended and refill the empty when you switch them. Just last week my propane tank went empty while I was cooking steak and the extra tank hasn't been refill. Dinner ruin!

Keep your eyes open. Plenty of people giving away old grills - and they include the propane tank. Two backups are better than one. (Three's better than two.) Seems more convenient to fill 3 or 4 tanks at once in the Spring, and not have to worry the rest of the summer.