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5 Essentials to Take Your Backyard BBQ to the Next Level

Spring is right around the corner, meaning it’s time to get excited about shorts, pool parties, and of course backyard barbeques! Every BBQ starts with a decent grill, but there’s a bit more that goes into becoming a true neighborhood pit master. Continue reading below for tips on how to conquer the grill!
1.    A Good Cleaning Tool
If you want those perfect restaurant style grill marks you need a very hot and very clean grilling surface. Therefore any respectable griller needs a tool for cleaning the grill grates. There are many tools that can be purchased but make sure you get the right one. Many grill grates have a cast iron coating that can be damaged from a metal wire brush so make sure you have the right tool for the job. Personally, I say save your money. I prefer to use a solid piece of hardwood which cleans well and doesn’t damage the grill grates. The best time to clean grill grates is right after grilling when the grates are still hot.

2.    Plenty of Fuel
Whether you’re grilling with gas or charcoal make sure you always have reserves, especially if you’re hosting a gathering. The last thing you need is to have a cold grill and a line full of empty stomachs. If you use propane to grill, remember, it’s much cheaper to have old tanks refilled than to buy a new one. I’ve been using the same two tanks for over 10 years.

3.    Good Tongs 
One of my grilling idols, Steven Raichlen, has an important motto for novice grillers, “Turn, don’t stab.” If you pierce the meat while on the grill you risk losing all those delicious juices. Therefore, get yourself a good pair of spring loaded tongs. They’ll last forever and this is arguably one of the grillers most important tools. 

4.    Instant-read meat thermometer
It doesn’t matter how much experience you have flipping steaks, a meat thermometer is an essential tool for the serious grill master. Every cut of meat is different and every protein requires different levels of doneness before it is safe to eat. So do yourself a favor and get a meat thermometer. You might not need it for burgers and dogs but if you want to take your grill game to the next level this tool is a must. 

5.    Grill Basket

This is a tool that admittedly, I didn’t think I needed. However, after receiving one as a gift from a friend who swore by it I had to give the grill basket a shot. Now I use it nearly every time I fire up the grill. Grill baskets work wonders for grilling vegetables but they really shine when grilling delicate proteins like Sole, Snapper, or other fish.

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