Before you light a match or turn a knob, organize your gear so it’s within arm’s reach. Here are the tools you’ll need on a regular basis.
STAINLESS STEEL SPATULA
Get one with a head that’s strong and broad enough to flip anything from a burger to a whole fish, and make sure it’s got sharp edges to cleanly lift food from the grate.
GRILLING FORK
Just like your tongs, this should be long and sturdy. It’s key for flipping large, family-friendly cuts of meat like flank steak or butterflied leg of lamb. Be careful to avoid stabbing meat with it any more than necessary or you’ll lose the juices.
CHARCOAL CHIMNEY
Use this to start your fire with ease—coals are glowing hot and ready within 20 to 30 minutes. Plus, it eliminates the need for lighter fluid. In fact, buy two so that you can prepare a lot of coals at once.
YUM!
INSTANT THERMOMETER
GRILL BRUSH
Your grill grate doesn’t fit in the dishwasher, but it still needs to be cleaned—often. Before and after you use the grill each time, give it a good scrape with a stiff metal wire brush. Invest in a new one whenever the bristles start to wear down or come loose.
OVERSIZE BARBEQUE MITT
Grills get hot—really hot. And the more confidently you can manipulate what you’re cooking, the smoother things will go.
Experienced grillers can determine doneness by look and feel—and we’ll show you how to do it that way. But to prevent disaster with that pricey rack of lamb or filet mignon, nothing beats a digital thermometer.
TONGS
Sturdy stainless-steel tongs are indispensable when grilling. Make sure the handle is long enough to reach all the way to the back of your grill.
This infographic is based on an excerpt from:
THE GRILLING BOOK
The ultimate summertime grilling companion, featuring more than 350 recipes, full-color photographs, how-to guides, and tips to simplify your grilling life, from the experts at Bon Appétit.
Available wherever books are sold