Grilling is a culinary art form enjoyed by people all over the world. While basic grilling techniques and tools can produce delicious results, taking your grilling game to the next level often requires the use of specialty accessories. These unique grilling tools and accessories can transform your backyard barbecue into a culinary adventure, allowing you to experiment with flavors, techniques, and ingredients that go beyond the traditional burger and hot dog.
In this article, we will explore a wide range of specialty accessories that will help you unlock your grilling potential and impress your family and friends with mouthwatering creations. From smoker boxes and rotisseries to grill baskets and pizza stones, these accessories will take your grilling experience to new heights.
Hot Dog Roller
A hot dog roller can be a handy addition to streamline your upcoming backyard cookout. It allows you to grill up to five hot dogs simultaneously, ensuring that you won’t inadvertently overcook any of them. Moreover, this roller is versatile enough to accommodate other items like sausage links, bratwursts, taquitos, and egg rolls, making it a versatile tool for your outdoor culinary endeavors.
Cedar Planks
Cedar planks are a fantastic accessory for grilling fish and other seafood. These planks are made from untreated cedar wood, which imparts a fragrant, smoky flavor to the food while also preventing it from sticking to the grill grates.
To use cedar planks, soak them in water for at least an hour before grilling to prevent them from catching fire. Then, place your seasoned fish fillets or seafood on the plank and set it on the grill. As the plank smolders, it releases aromatic cedar smoke that infuses your food with a unique and delicious flavor.
S’more Basket
S’mores could easily be considered the iconic summertime delight, and now, with this grill basket, you can prepare six of them simultaneously. This device effectively holds each s’more in position, ensuring a clean and hassle-free cooking experience.
Jalapeño Grilling Racks
If you love spicy food, a jalapeño grilling rack is a fun and practical accessory to have. These racks are designed to hold jalapeño peppers upright while they grill, allowing you to stuff them with a variety of fillings.
A popular jalapeño popper recipe involves filling the peppers with cream cheese, wrapping them in bacon, and grilling them until the bacon is crispy and the peppers are tender. The result is a spicy and creamy appetizer that’s perfect for sharing with friends and family at your next barbecue.
Rotisserie Trays
The Rib-O-Lator, equipped with four trays, proves to be highly beneficial for large gatherings where you need to serve a substantial amount of food, but your grill lacks the capacity to accommodate it all simultaneously. By placing roasts, ribs, or vegetables on these stainless steel trays and rotating them as needed, you can achieve a uniform, indirect cooking process that not only saves on gas or charcoal but also preserves the delectable juices in your dishes.
Grill Baskets
Grill baskets are a game-changer when it comes to grilling delicate or small foods that might otherwise fall through the grill grates. These baskets come in various shapes and sizes, each designed for specific foods or cooking techniques.
A vegetable grill basket, for example, is perfect for grilling diced or sliced vegetables without the hassle of skewers or worrying about them slipping through the grates. Fish grill baskets are tailored for grilling delicate fish fillets, ensuring they cook evenly and don’t stick to the grill. And if you’re a fan of stir-fries, a wok grill basket allows you to prepare sizzling dishes right on the grill.
Pizza Stones
If you’re a fan of homemade pizza, a pizza stone is a must-have accessory for your grill. These thick, round or rectangular stones are designed to retain and distribute heat evenly, mimicking the effects of a wood-fired pizza oven.
To use a pizza stone on your grill, simply preheat it along with the grill, and then slide your pizza dough or prepared pizza onto the hot stone. The result is a crispy, perfectly cooked crust with a hint of smoky flavor. You can get creative with your pizza toppings, experimenting with combinations that go beyond the traditional Margherita or pepperoni.
Automatic Grill Cleaning Robot
If you were amazed by the introduction of robot vacuums, be prepared for another jaw-dropping innovation. The Grillbot is an automatic grill cleaning device equipped with nylon grill brushes and a scraping tool. All you need to do is place it on your grill grate, regardless of whether it’s hot or cold, and simply press a button. The robot takes care of all the cleaning tasks on your behalf and even signals you with an alarm when it’s finished.
Oyster Grill Pan
This nonstick pan is particularly effective if you often prepare oysters in their shells but prefer to avoid the inconvenience of individually positioning and removing them from the grill. You can employ it to grill a dozen oysters at once or to bake small, individual portions of cornbread, drop biscuits, macaroni and cheese, and various other delectable bites.
Chicken Wing Grill Rack
Grilling chicken wings and drumsticks can pose challenges when it comes to flipping and ensuring even cooking. To address this, a steel wire rack is designed to suspend them above the grill’s heat source, promoting a more uniform charring process. As the wings cook, any surplus fat drips away (or can be reserved for later use), and in the final moments, you can increase the heat to achieve that delightful crispy skin.
Charcoal Starter
When dealing with a charcoal grill and becoming impatient with the coals taking their time to ignite, consider expediting the process by using the Chimney of Insanity. This tool is equipped with an opening on one side to enhance air circulation and facilitate the insertion of fuel. While newspaper does the job adequately, if you’re in a hurry, a chimney starter will accelerate the heating process even further.
Hot Dog Slicing Tool
The Slotdog hot dog slicing tool is equipped with stainless steel blades designed to make incisions into the hot dog, resulting in a delightful crispy texture and edges that caramelize, enhancing their ability to hold toppings. Additionally, this slicer speeds up the cooking process and guarantees an even temperature across the entire hot dog.
Grill Clips
Achieving a delightful char can significantly enhance the flavor of your preferred vegetables.
However, when it comes to grilling vegetables, especially longer ones like asparagus, it can be a bit of an art. If not cooked properly, they may turn out overly crunchy or excessively soft. That’s where grill clips come in. This clever device enables you to effortlessly handle and position vegetables while they’re on the grill, simplifying the process of achieving an even cook.
Wood Grill Scraper
Yet another effective tool for maintaining the cleanliness of your grill grates is this simple wooden paddle. Initially, it’s flat, but with time, it adapts to precisely fit the grooves of your grill. As a result, it proves to be both efficient and visually appealing while naturally conforming to your specific grill.
BBQ Grill Lights
Grilling doesn’t have to be limited to daytime hours. With a BBQ grill light, you can extend your grilling sessions well into the evening. These compact and weather-resistant lights are designed to attach to your grill’s handle or hood, providing ample illumination of the cooking surface.
A well-lit grill not only makes it easier to monitor the doneness of your food but also ensures that you can safely maneuver around the grill area. Some grill lights even come with adjustable brightness settings and flexible arms, allowing you to direct the light where you need it most.
Heat-Resistant Grilling Gloves
While many grilling tools are designed with extended handles to ensure safe use and prevent burns, having a more hands-on approach can greatly simplify the process. These gloves, which are heat-resistant up to 1,472 degrees and feature a silicone non-slip texture for a secure grip, enable you to work directly with the grill without sacrificing safety.
Himalayan Pink Salt Block
Crafted exclusively from pink Himalayan salt, this substantial grilling plank infuses a portion of its saltiness and savory essence into any vegetables or meat cuts placed on its surface as it heats up. This particular variant is designed for multiple uses and comes complete with a metal holder to facilitate the transportation of the slab and maintain the pieces together as they naturally separate over time.
Smoker Boxes
Smoker boxes are essential accessories for adding smoky flavor to your grilled dishes. These small boxes are designed to hold wood chips or pellets and are placed directly on the grill grates or over the flames. As they heat up, the wood chips produce smoke, infusing your food with a rich, smoky aroma and flavor.
There are various wood chip options available, each with its unique flavor profile. For instance, hickory chips offer a robust and earthy flavor, while applewood imparts a sweeter, fruitier taste. Experimenting with different wood chips can open up a world of flavor possibilities for your grilled meats, vegetables, and even desserts.
Lighter Cubes
Weber’s lighter cubes prove to be the perfect partner for any charcoal grill. This scentless and non-toxic fuel is simple to start, greatly simplifying the process of lighting charcoal. They are so effective that you can even ignite them when they are damp or wet.
Slow ‘N Sear
Another accessory designed for kettle grills, the Slow ‘N Sear, contains charcoal within a designated area of the grill to enhance temperature management. This allows you the flexibility to quickly sear meat for a brief period or engage in slow roasting for extended durations. Compatible with 22-inch grills, it also features an incorporated water reservoir to maintain food moisture during extended cooking sessions.
Rotisserie Attachments
A rotisserie attachment can turn your grill into a versatile cooking machine. It consists of a rotating spit and forks that hold the food in place as it cooks. This method of cooking not only ensures even cooking but also produces succulent and tender results.
One of the most popular dishes to cook on a rotisserie is a whole chicken. As it rotates over the heat source, the chicken’s juices continually baste the meat, resulting in a crispy, golden-brown skin and moist, flavorful meat. You can also use a rotisserie attachment to grill other meats like pork roasts, prime rib, and even whole turkeys.
Grill Thermometers
Grilling success often hinges on precise temperature control, especially when cooking meats to perfection. While many grills come with built-in temperature gauges, adding a few specialized grill thermometers to your arsenal can provide even more accuracy.
Instant-read thermometers are handy for checking the internal temperature of steaks, burgers, and other meats quickly. Leave-in probe thermometers, on the other hand, allow you to monitor the temperature of your grill or the internal temperature of your food while the grill is closed. With precise temperature control, you’ll be able to achieve your desired level of doneness every time.
Grill Mats
Grill mats are a versatile accessory that can transform your grilling experience. These non-stick mats are placed directly on the grill grates, creating a flat and easy-to-clean surface for cooking a wide variety of foods.
One of the primary benefits of grill mats is that they prevent delicate items like small vegetables, seafood, and even eggs from falling through the grates. Additionally, they eliminate the need for excess oil or butter, making for a healthier grilling option. Cleanup is a breeze, as the mats can be removed and easily cleaned in the sink or dishwasher.
Grill Presses
Grill presses, also known as burger presses or steak weights, are heavy metal or cast-iron tools that can take your grilling to the next level. These accessories serve several purposes in outdoor cooking:
They help achieve uniform cooking by ensuring that meat, poultry, or vegetables make full contact with the grill grates.
They flatten burgers and steaks, resulting in even cooking and perfectly charred grill marks.
They speed up cooking times by promoting better heat transfer.
Whether you’re making gourmet burgers, panini sandwiches, or grilling a steak to perfection, a grill press can be a game-changer.
Conclusion
Specialty accessories can elevate your grilling game to new heights, turning your backyard barbecue into a culinary adventure. From smoker boxes and rotisserie to grill baskets and pizza stones, these tools and gadgets offer endless possibilities for creating delicious and unique grilled dishes.
Whether you’re a seasoned grilling pro or just starting your grilling journey, investing in these specialty accessories can enhance your outdoor cooking experience and impress your family and friends with mouthwatering creations. So, fire up the grill, experiment with these accessories, and prepare to savor the flavors of unique grilling like never before. Your taste buds will thank you.