[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_custom_heading text=”Top 30 Grilling Accessories”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]While your grill is the most important thing you’ll ever buy for your outdoor cooking adventures, there’s a lot of accessories that could help you run your grill properly and enhance your experience. Now, you’re probably thinking that you’d get by just fine on whatever tools you already have in your kitchen. There’s a problem with that though. While some kitchen tools would enable you to have a semi-successful cookout (i.e. edible food), it wouldn’t be as great as when you use actual grilling tools. It wouldn’t be as pleasurable as well. And you won’t be able to make the most out of your grill.
Before you scoff in disbelief, let’s discuss two examples: tongs and oven mitts. Tongs are the perfect tool for flipping over various types of meat and veggies on your grill. And yes, you can definitely use your regular kitchen tongs for this task… if you don’t mind singed arm hair, that is. Regular kitchen tongs are around 9-12 inches and, in the world of grilling, this would mean that, at some point, a part of your hand and arm would be hovering over a really hot grill. Also, some kitchen tongs aren’t really built for flipping over large cuts of meat. What about oven mitts? I’m sure you’ve already convinced yourself that these will protect your hands and arms from the intense heat of your grill. Unfortunately for you, they aren’t going to cut it. They might be fine in a pinch but they aren’t built to resist flames (flare-ups) nor are they long enough to provide ample covering for your hands and arms. The worst thing about using an oven mitt is that it is awkward as hell. You’d end up feeding your floor rather than your family. I haven’t even begun to discuss the importance of having a digital thermometer. Can you say foodborne illnesses?
To cut this discussion short, kitchen tools are all well and good… if they’re used in the kitchen (hence, the name). But if you want an easy and pleasurable time (not to mention safe) grilling with your family and friends, then you definitely need to have some grilling accessories at hand. With the right ones, you’ll not only have a successful cookout, you’ll be taking your BBQ game to the next level.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
See More
Best Stove Top Griddles
Best Meat Thermometers
Best Cast Iron Skillets
Best Nonstick Grill Pans
Best Stainless Steel Griddle Pan
Best Gril Brushes
Best Camping Stoves
Best Panini Grill Press
Best Grill Press
Best Grill Tool Sets
Best Grill Gadgets
Best Grill Gazebos
Best Grill Cleaners
Best Outdoor Tables For Grill[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_custom_heading text=”Table of Contents” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]
- Chimney starter
- Long-handled Tongs
- Spatula
- Digital Thermometer
- Grill brush
- Grill Gloves
- Basting Brush
- Bear Paws
- Rib Rack
- Skewers
- Grill basket
- Smoking Sheets
- Fireplace Lighter
- Grill Grates
- Carving Board
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]
- Barbecue Aprons
- Grill Cover
- Frogmats
- Chimney Cap
- Propane Fuel Tank Gauge
- Grill Pads
- Cast Iron Dutch Oven
- Barbecue Fork
- Grill Wipes
- Pizza Peel
- Vertical Chicken Roaster
- Outdoor Light
- Cast Iron Griddle
- Extra Big & Loud Timer
- An All-Purpose knife
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Chimney Starter:
Our Pick - Weber 7416 Rapidfire Chimney Starter
This accessory isn’t for every griller out there, just for charcoal lovers. Now, we all know that lighting charcoal ain’t always easy and can take some time. To take that load off and make grilling more pleasure than frustration, you’ll need a chimney starter. BBQ experts agree that this is the best way to light your fire. It’s more efficient, cleaner, and faster than lighter fluid. In fact, the worst thing you can do is to use lighter fluid because it releases noxious fumes that are really harmful. And you don’t really want that petroleum taste to stick to your steak. As an added bonus, using a chimney starter will help you learn how to better control your temperature. As you continue to use it, you’ll learn just how much coal you will need to put in your chimney to get the right temperature. One other good thing about a chimney starter is that you can cook on it, using a wok for some stir fry or as another grill just by placing a grate on top of it. Weber, one of the top charcoal grill makers, perfectly understood what we need and just made a perfect chimney starter.Long-handled Tongs
Our Pick - Outset QB22 Rosewood Collection Extra-Long Locking Tongs, Stainless Steel
Tongs are your best friend when you’re grilling. Long-handed ones are perfect for keeping your distance from the heat while flipping around steaks or other pieces of meat and veggies. You’ll also needed it when banking coals (if you’re using a charcoal grill). When choosing a pair of tongs, you’ll need to consider three things: length, strength, and grip. Some experts state that 16 inches is a good length for your tongs because you’re far enough away from the heat but not too much that you don’t have the leverage required to move your food around. The strength of the tongs is also essential. It should be strong and heavy enough that you won’t have a problem using them to flip over large cuts of meat. But they shouldn’t be so heavy or strong that you tire your arms out using them. As for the grip, the tongs should be able to hold various types of food, from thin and delicate ones like asparagus to large pieces of meat (maybe a whole chicken) and veggies. While these three are extremely important features in a good pair of tongs, it’s also essential that you check out the alignment of the tongs “arms.” You’ll also need to check its locking mechanism; you should be able to open it with just one hand in case your other one is busy doing something else like holding a plate. The crowd favorite is the OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Locking Tongs that have an oval shape with shallow, scalloped curves.Spatula
Our Pick - Weber 6620 Original Spatula
Not everything can be handled by your tongs such as fish and burgers so you’ll need to add a spatula to your grilling arsenal. Your spatula should be thin and flexible so you can easily slip it under food that’s currently stuck to your grates. It should also be long-handled so you don’t have to worry about singed hair on your arms. Of course, the handle should be soft and comfortable so it doesn’t feel awkward in your hand while you’re handling it. We like our spatulas to feel light in our hands but it should also be solid enough that it can handle flipping over heavier cuts of meat. Another bonus feature would be for the side edges of the spatula’s head to be serrated or beveled so you can cut into meat on the grill if needed. One of the most popular is the OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Barbecue Turner which can usually be bought as a set which comes with our favorite pair of tongs.Digital Thermometer
Our Pick - Lavatools PT12 Javelin Digital Instant Read Meat Thermometer (Chipotle)
If you’ve read lots of grill reviews, you’d know that most of the grills in the market today aren’t all that accurate. In addition to that, it’ll help ensure precise cooking – your meat won’t by dry and overcooked or, worse, dangerously undercooked. No matter how much experience or expertise you have in grilling, using a thermometer is simply the most effective way of getting perfectly cooked meals each time, especially if your grill has hot spots. Refusing to use on is just plain stupid. You’ll be risking yourself (and anyone else eating your food) because undercooked food can lead to food borne illnesses that can easily be avoided with a good probe thermometer.The new Thermapen Mk4 is a top quality, fast, accurate digital thermometer. It can give you an extremely accurate reading in about two seconds. The digital readout is easy to see and rotates when the device is rotated. It has a wide temperature range, -58 to 572 degrees Fahrenheit (can switch between F to C), which means you can use it for cooking meat, candy, or when you’re deep frying. No need to buy separate thermometers for your cooking needs; this single tool will suffice. The probe is long enough to get to the center of a large piece of meat such as ham. The heat sensor at the tip is so small that you only get a reading from where you put it. As an added bonus, this thermometer is water resistant. While it comes with a hefty price, it’s definitely worth the money.
Grill brushes
A clean grill is always a must. Not even the sturdiest grill will last long without a little TLC. Not to mention, a dirty grill can affect how your food tastes. Leftover grease and oil can go rancid and cooking meat over grates with something like that will do you no favors. In addition, the black crust that forms on your grill can add a burnt toast flavor to your food. Even worse, insects get attracted to the leftover bits of food and oil on your grates. In short, cleaning your grill is the best way to get delicious results that are safe to eat. And your best tool is a grill brush. BBQ experts each have their own favorites the one we love we’ve marked as “our pick” but we can’t mention the one that is also a great choice – Weber’s 18-inch Bamboo Grill Brush. It’s solidly built with rustproof brass bristles that are effective in removing grease. The brush also has a flat c-shaped scraped at the end for stubborn spots on your grates. One of the best things about this brush is that it doesn’t bend out of shape and the bristles don’t fall off because they’re embedded pretty deep. You’d be surprised to know that a lot of people don’t notice fallen bristles that get stuck on their food which inevitably lands them in the ER.
Grill Gloves
Our Pick - Extreme Heat Resistant Grill Gloves: Premium Insulated & Silicone Lined Aramid Fiber Mitts for Cooking, BBQ, Grilling, Frying & Baking - Professional Indoor Outdoor Kitchen & Oven Accessories
Grill gloves should be able to take the heat, providing serious protection to your hands and arms while you’re doing some outdoor cooking (i.e. handling hot coals or lifting hot grates). There are various materials to choose from: leather, cotton, high-tech synthetics, or combinations of these. When you’re looking for the perfect gloves, it’s better to get one that has individual fingers instead of mitts so you have better dexterity (good for handling tongs and grates). The thickness and stiffness of the glove’s material also affects your hands’ nimbleness so be sure that whichever you choose has the perfect balance between flexibility and protection. Your gloves should also have long sleeves so your entire forearm is protected. Wide cuffs are also a must so you don’t get sweaty hands the entire time you’re grilling. Cook’s Illustrated highly recommends the Steven Raichlen Ultimate Suede Grilling Gloves which can be bought on Amazon for around $30. The gloves are soft and pliable so you get the dexterity you need. It’s heat safe up to 475 degrees Fahrenheit and has really long cuffs that protect your entire forearm. The only drawback with this item is that you can’t clean it in your washing machine.Basting Brush
Our Pick - OXO Good Grips Large Silicone Basting Brush
The secret’s in the sauce, right? So you know how important it is to get the right amount of sauce on your food while it’s grilling. Now, not just any old basting brush will do since a lot of them are hard to wash and end up being a breeding ground for bacteria. Another drawback of some basting brushes is the fact that the bristles fall off and wind up on your food. The best thing to do is to choose a silicone basting brush because it solves both these problems. No bristles fall off and you get a clean brush after every wash. So, which silicone basting brush do we recommend? The OXO Good Grips Large Silicone Basting Brush is a good bet. It holds a large amount of sauce and delivers it evenly over a large area; It’s a whole lot better than most brushes in this category.Bear Paws
Our Pick - Bear claws Meat Paws Pulled Pork Shredders Solid structure design easy to clean more durable Food grade PC Handling Carving Cut Meats for BBQ Forks Tools(2pcs)
Pulled pork made easy with these handy plastic claws. You can also use this to shred chicken, lift turkeys, and toss salads. In addition, you can use the claws to hold your meat in place while you carve it. The Bear Paws are made of heat resistant nylon (up to 475 degrees Fahrenheit). Best of all, these are dishwasher-safe.Rib Rack
Our Pick - Weber 6605 Original Rib Rack for Grilling
How do you fit five slabs of ribs on a small grill? Use a rib rack! Rib racks hold the ribs upright so they take up lesser space. Good ones leave enough space between each rib to enable air and smoke to rotate around each piece. Bad ones don’t cook the ribs properly because the slabs are placed too close together. The racks should be half as tall as the ribs so that the slabs stay in place rather than falling all over each other. One of our favorites is the Weber 6605 Original Rib Rack for Grilling that you can easily buy on Amazon.Skewers
Our Pick - Best of Barbecue Stainless Steel Kabob Rack Set with Six 17” Skewers - SR8816
Skewers are thin sticks that are generally around 8 to 12 inches long, made of either metal or wood and useful for making kebabs and the like. When picking out skewers, make sure that you get broad, flat blades instead of round ones. Your food won’t turn with the skewer if the sticks are thin and round. You can opt for bamboo skewers but they have limited use. Soaking them in water before making your kebabs can help prevent charring. It’s best to pick skewers made out of stainless steel so it’s rustproof and dishwasher-safe. One recommendation is the Steven Raichlen Stainless Steel Skewers which fits all our necessary criteria for a really good skewer. You can also opt for double-pronged skewers which are able to hold food in place better than the single sticks.Grill basket
Our Pick - Mr Bar B Q 06805X Stainless Steel Mesh Roasting Pan
Grill baskets will help you grill or smoke small pieces of meat, fish, and veggies. The wiring prevents the food from falling through the cooking grate and being eaten up by the flames. This accessory is also so much easier to use than skewers. Flipping or turning over pieces of veggies on a grill can also be very tedious. With a basket, you can simply toss them around. Also, grilling meat and veggies on a skewer can be tricky since they have different cooking times. With a basket, you can take out the veggies earlier (once they are done) and leave the meat in to finish cooking. As an added bonus, the wiring allows a lot of smoke and flavor to reach the food inside so your food remains delicious. While there are plenty of quality grill baskets out there, most grill masters recommend the Mr Bar B Q 06805X Stainless Steel Mesh Roasting Pan sold on Amazon.Smoking Sheets
Our Pick - TrueFire Gourmet TFWraps8-8 8-Pack 7.25 by 8-Inch Cedar Wraps with twine
Want that extra flavor while you grill? You’ll need smoking sheets for that. These are thin cedar wood sheets that are especially made for grilling delicate food like fish along with veggies. Aside from adding that smokey flavor we all desire, these sheets enable you to cook marinated meats without worrying about the food sticking to the grates or the mess it will make. They also protect your food from getting burnt or dried out. And there’s no longer a need to flip or turn your food over because the wrap uses steam and smoke to cook the food. As an added bonus, your food presentation is given a level up.Fireplace Lighter
Our Pick - Canterbury Enterprises LLS.CM Straight Log Lighter
If you don’t like using matches to get your chimney starter going or the igniter in your gas grill went kaput, you’ll need something else to get your fire started. A fireplace lighter or something similar is your answer. There are plenty of options for you to choose from. To really get your money’s worth, it’s best to find refillable ones that are easy to use with just one hand. Also, make sure that you can clearly see the fuel supply so you’ll know when it needs refilling.GrillGrates
Our Pick - Set of TWO 19.25" GrillGrate Panels (interlocking) + GrateTool
One of the best accessories you’ll ever find is this innovation of the BBQ cooking grate. Grill Grates are made of hard-anodized cast aluminum and are placed on top of your grill’s cooking grates to vastly improve your outdoor cooking experience. What does it do? Grill grates amplify heat, kill hotspots by ensuring even heat distribution, reduce flareups as well as preheating time and fuel consumption, and prevents small cuts of food from falling into the flame. In addition, Grill grates produces great grill marks and can hold small pieces of wood in between its grates for added flavor. You can also flip the grates to use them as a griddle. The best part is that it’s a lot easier to clean than other types of grates; hosing it down with water while it’s still hot will get all the residue right off. The only drawback with Grill grates is that they cost a lot.Carving Board
Our Pick - John Boos Newton Prep Master Maple Wood Reversible Cutting Board with Juice Groove and Pan, 18 inches x 18 Inches x 2.25 Inches
Just like in any kitchen, you’ll need a cutting board to place your meat and veggies on while you cut or slice it. You’ll also need a board for carving your deliciously cooked meat. And if you did it perfectly, your grilled meat will be packed with a lot of juice that’ll drip down your board and on to your table while you’re preparing the meat for serving. Thankfully, there’s a solution to that problem. A carving/cutting board with a juice tray. John Boos Newton Prep Master Reversible 18″ Square Cutting Board with Juice Groove and Pan is probably the best one you’ll ever find. Made from northern hard rock maple, the board is extremely durable and solid. It’s reversible so you can use one side for cutting veggies and the other side with the juice groove for your roasted meats. While it is pretty big and heavy, it won’t slip or rock while you use it. Cleaning it can be a bit awkward but the benefits outweigh this drawback. And though it does cost a lot, it’s worth more than its weight in gold.Barbecue Aprons
Our Pick - Keep Calm and Grill On Funny Apron for Grilling BBQ Pit Barbecue Two Pocket Apron for Women and Men Black
Give your clothes a break. BBQ stains are a pain to get out and unless you’re fine with permanently ruining your clothes, you’ll need an apron to protect them from getting splashed by your secret marinade. And for those who don’t think wearing one is manly, wearing ratty, old clothes while grilling for your guests doesn’t really inspire confidence in the cook. Besides, how else would people know that you’re king of the grill without an apron telling them that? Now, when choosing an apron, make sure that it provides ample coverage for your clothes. It’s also best to choose a dark colored on over a white one. Dark colors will hide stains so you don’t have to try so hard to get them out. A white apron, on the other hand, will never look the same.Grill Covers
Our Pick - Texas Grill Cover 7573 | 7106 Premium Cover for Weber Spirit 200 and 300 series and Weber Genesis Silver Gas Grill Including Grill Brush and BBQ Tongs
Your grill is your most important tool in outdoor cooking so it deserves protection. A cover will help prevent your grill from rust or damage from the elements. It will keep it out of the eyes of burglars. And a cover will keep it the local wildlife from making your grill its new home. In short, a quality grill cover will ensure that your grill lasts for a long time. Grill covers come in many shapes and sizes as well as various types of materials. You can buy straight from grill manufacturers and retailers or have one custom-made.Frogmats
Our Pick - Frogmats Non Stick Grill Mat - Many Sizes (GMG Daniel Boone (27"x19'))
Anyone who’s ever tried grilling fish will have experienced the frustration of seeing it crumble as you lift it off the grill. Grilling small pieces of food ain’t no picnic either since you’re equally as likely to feed the flames rather than your family. This is where frogmats come in. These are non-stick mesh mats that enable you to grill delicate and small foods without having to deal with the problems we just stated. Frogmats are dishwasher-safe so cleanup is easy. These come in various sizes and can be cut to fit your grill. Just remember not to expose them to direct flame or heat that’s higher than 500 degrees Fahrenheit and your frogmats will last a long time.Chimney Cap
Our Pick - Smokeware SS Vented Chimney Cap for Kamado Joe (R)
If you own a kamado grill, you know that there’s a risk of water getting inside your cooking chamber through the chimney whenever it rains. No one wants a leaky kamado or a rusted one. To protect your kamado grill from such a dire fate, you’ll need to buy a chimney cap. Just like the name implies, this handy accessory will act as a hat covering up your kamado’s top air vent. Another benefit to having this accessory is that you can leave your vent open when it’s not in use to prevent moisture from forming inside. There are plenty of chimney caps sold on Amazon and other online retailers. The current favorite is the SmokeWare SS Vented Chimney Cap. It’s made of 304 grade stainless steel which means that it will last you a long time. It’s rustproof (obviously) and sturdy, allowing you to enjoy your kamado grill no matter the weather. As an added bonus, the gasket seal that comes with it holds the cap in place so you don’t lose the temperature position whenever you open the kamado’s lid.Propane Fuel Tank Gauge
If you’re more of a gas griller than a charcoal lover, one of your must-have accessories should be a propane fuel tank scale. This is because the most reliable way to know if you’re running out of fuel is to weigh it. Now, most of the time, this is just a simple accessory, a glorified scale that weighs your tank and gives you a guesstimate of how much still remains. A crowd favorite is the Grill Gauge which is a really basic scale that requires you to hook the gauge to the tank and lift it a few inches off the floor. Then, put the tank back down, unhook the gauge, and check the reading. This tank scale is pretty accurate, way better than some pressure gauges found in gas grills. With Grill Gauge, you get to save yourself from running out of fuel and dealing with hungry guests. Plus, you can bring this tool whenever you refill your tanks to check if they’re underfilled.
Grill Pads
Our Pick - KONA Best BBQ Grill Mat - Heavy Duty 600 Degree Non-Stick Mats (Set of 2) - 7 Year Warranty
There’s no question that outdoor cooking is an adventure. Parts of that adventure are grease stains, runaway coals, and marinade spills that could destroy your beautiful deck or patio if it’s not adequately protected. The Original Grill Pad is made from fiber cement that is both flexible and durable. Weighing 8 pounds, the pad is heavy enough that it doesn’t need to be anchored to the ground. It comes in various shapes and sizes a well as four unique colors to match any style used in your deck or patio. Even better, this pad that offers protection from spills and stains are easy to clean. Just wipe it down with a bit of soap and you’re done!Cast Iron Dutch Oven
Our Pick - Lodge L8DD3 Cast Iron Double Dutch Oven, 5-Quart
Your grill isn’t limited to creating the perfect barbecue. If you’re hankering for some classic chili or baked beans, maybe some cobblers or cornbread, don’t think that your grill won’t be able to deliver. With a dutch oven, you can do cook all these things and more on your grill. Don’t create boundaries on what you can and can’t do when you’re cooking outdoors. The versatility of your grill increases with the right accessory. We recommend the Lodge L8DD3 Double Dutch Oven. Aside from performing beautifully every time, you also get very durable product that you can use for frying, boiling, or steaming food.Barbecue Fork
Our Pick - New Star Foodservice 38248 Wood Handle Barbecue Fork, 21-Inch
Despite what most people say, a barbecue fork isn’t a tool of evil. Your meat won’t end up dry and flavorless just because you used a barbecue fork to pierce it and flip it over. In truth, any punctures you make by flipping meat over will not affect the way your food tastes. The only way your meat will lose valuable moisture and juice is when you overcook it. Now that we’ve dealt with this misconception, let’s talk about efficiency. Yes, you can use tongs to flip over your meats. But if you have a stack of thick or big cuts of meat cooking on your grill like chops, the quickest and easiest way to turn them over is to use a fork. You can also use your barbecue fork to help you keep the meat in place while cooking. Making smores is also something you can use this accessory for. Some people use their fork to move coal around or to pick up hot grates. So many uses for such a simple tool. If you’re looking for a good one to add to your list of tools, check out the New Star Foodservice 38248 Wood Handle Barbecue Fork.Grill Wipes
Our Pick - Grate Chef Non-Stick Disposable Grill Wipes, 6 Count
We all know that grills need regular cleaning if you want the results to remain spectacular and for the grill itself to last for decades. And we also know that sometimes cleaning a grill after all your efforts in cooking can be such a pain. Even more so if you need to season the grill to keep it from rusting. Well, modern grillers no longer need to feel all that pain. Your baby now has its own wipes – oil infused disposable ones that cling to the bristles of your grill brush, helping it easily remove any food residue on your grates even while it’s piping hot. Cleaning your grill with these wipes also leaves the grates with a fine coat of high-temperature corn oil. Your post cooking ritual has never been easier.Pizza Peel
Our Pick - Kitchen Supply 14-Inch x 16-Inch Aluminum Pizza Peel with Wood Handle
If you’re cooking pizza on your grill, the best way you can place your pie on and off the grill is with a pizza peel or paddle. When choosing one for your home, you’ll need one that is thin enough that it will easily slip under a pie. It also needs to have a long handle so your hands and arms are safe from the fire. Pizza peels are usually made of wood or metal, wood being the crowd favorite because the pies slide off more easily in comparison to metal. However, wooden pizza peels come with several problems. They require a lot of maintenance, are thick, and susceptible to burn marks (it is wood after all). For those who want life to be a little bit easier (or are just plain lazy like us), we recommend a metal pizza peel. They’re thinner, easier to clean, and a lot more durable.Vertical Chicken Roaster
Our Pick - Norpro Deluxe Stainless Steel Vertical Meat Poultry Chicken Turkey Roaster, 266
Do you love roast chicken? Then you’ll want to add this little tool to your growing number of grill accessories. What’s so great about a vertical roaster? Aside from producing roast chicken with crunchy, tasty skin, you also get to cook the white and dark meat properly. These two types of meat require different temps to cook properly. When you roast vertically, the chicken is “sitting” upright with its legs (where the dark meat is) facing the heat. This means that they heat up faster than the white meat (the breasts). In short, you get uniformly cooked meat. One of the best products out there is from Norpro Stainless Steel Vertical Poultry Roaster. It has a cone-shaped infuser that holds the chicken in place while inside an Stainless Steel tray. The Stainless Steel tray can be used to hold flavoring agents such as beer, wine, juice. Or, you can place some veggies there to roast them in the fat that drips down from the chicken. And like other great grill accessories, this one also cleans quickly and easily because of its non-stick surface.Outdoor Light
Our Pick - Swiftly Done Bright Solar Power Outdoor LED Light No Tools Required Peel and Stick Motion Activated
Nighttime grilling can be difficult when you lack the proper tools. In the dark, it’ll be hard to cook food properly if you can’t see it. If you have a light installed in your backyard near where your grill is positioned (and it illuminates the contents of your grill just fine), then you don’t have anything to worry about. If not, then you should know that a flashlight, no matter how heavy duty it is, just won’t cut it. You’ll be tying up one hand the entire time you’re grilling. Awkward and definitely inconvenient. One option (aside from having an outdoor light installed) is to have a portable outdoor light that is able to lighten up (yes, it’s a pun) your entire cooking area. Of course, it’ll have to be weatherproof, not easily affected by the elements. One product that fits this description is the Wobble Patio Light PL100. The best option for you to really shine a light on what you’re doing is to use a headlamp like the Mitaki 8 LED Headlamp. With this accessory, you’ll never have to aim the light where you’re looking; it’ll always show you exactly what you want to see.Cast Iron Griddle
Our Pick - Lodge LPGI3 Cast Iron Reversible Grill/Griddle, 20-inch x 10.44-inch, Black
Increase the versatility of your grill with a cast iron griddle. You don’t need to go into the kitchen to cook some pancakes, bacon, eggs, french toast, or home fries. Your griddle can do that. It can also double as a pizza stone. Also, you can cook great pan-seared fish with a griddle placed on your grill. Some griddles come with a grill on the other side (raised ridges that produce grill marks just like your cooking grates). When you use the grill side, you can cook hamburgers and steaks via radiation. As an added bonus, any fat and juices that drip from the meat fall into the grooves and get quickly vaporized, adding flavor to the cooking meat. If you have two, you can use the grill sides to make paninis. One of the best products out there is the Lodge Logic Pro Cast Iron Grill/Griddle. Lodge is known for the quality of their cast iron products. They heat fast, hold heat well, and evenly distribute heat across the cooking surface. And if you can’t go out to grill, this cast iron grill/griddle can be placed on top of your stove burners and still perform extremely well. The best thing about this product is the fact that you don’t even have to choose between getting a grill plate or a griddle because you get both.Extra Big & Loud Timer
Cooking without a timer is like walking blind. You’ll be guesstimating the time it takes to cook your meal which can lead to overcooked food or, worse, undercooked food. You might get lucky and get amazing results some of the time. But if you really want perfection at every meal, you’ll need a sidekick – a timer. Normally, any timer will do. Doesn’t have to be special since you only want to give yourself a warning when your food is done. But if you’re doing some low and slow cooking, you don’t want to risk not hearing your timer go ding. This is where the Extra Big & Loud Timer from Thermoworks comes in. This is a pretty big timer that can be placed on your counter, mounted on the wall (like a key), or stuck on a fridge. The alarm, as the name already implies, is really loud. You can expect to hear it even when you’re rooms away doing laundry or surrounded by noisy kids. The digital display is extra large so you can easily see it even when your standing a few feet away. The Extra Big & Loud Timer comes in charcoal or white.