BBQ Tools You Can't Live Without

Some of the best BBQ tips concern the tools and accessories you need to do the job right. The kinds of BBQ tools that are essential and the ones are just nice to have around will depend on the type of barbequing you plan to do. However, there are a number of tools that will be used over and over.

The final outcome is sometimes what matters most, and in this case it's cleaning up the grill. Sometimes this can be a real pain, but if you have the proper tools it doesn't have to be that way.

One way to ease the burden of clean up is to not get so messy in the first place. Disposable drip pans are a great way to accomplish that. Stray pieces of meat and grease drippings that fall through the grill are captured on the pan, and once you're done, you just remove it and throw it in the garbage.

The next best thing to disposable drip pans for the BBQ are removable ones. The job will be made easier when you just have to remove the pan, spray it with cleaner and scrub it down. It's much easier to use oven cleaner if you're not trying to clean around numerous objects poking out everywhere. And if you don't use oven cleaner directly on the grill, you don't have to worry about rinsing it thoroughly to remove the residue. If you don't, the result will be bad smelling and bad tasting food the next time around, which could actually be unsafe.

A wire brush is a requirement for most BBQ clean up situations. A dual purpose style is your best choice. These feature a wire brush on one side and a metal scraper on the other. It really can't be beat for eliminating the blackened food left behind on the grill.

You can find all sorts of BBQ tools that make grilling more fun. For example, skewers are handy for shish kabob meals and for cooking a big chunk of meat that requires frequent turning. A good set of barbeque tongs will also be highly useful. By good, it means heat proof, fits well in your hand, and won't slip around.

BBQ oven mitts are another essential accessory. It's inevitable that you'll come in contact with grill parts and metal tools that make wearing them the only sensible thing to do. There's just too much heat around to do without them.

You'll probably find a wire BBQ basket handy from time to time, if you cook fish or want to be able to turn a slice of ham without using tongs. Choose a model that lets you cook veggies in a mesh basket with a handle so you can make your entire meal on the grill.

There are dozens of useful BBQ tools. But make certain you're purchasing good quality products. That way they'll end up in your hands, and not in the drawer collecting dust.