Three weeks ago, I mentioned three important tools for grilling:
the grilling fork, spatula and tongs. These tools can simplify any
grilling experience. There are a few more I wanted to mention at
the beginning of the grilling season.
Three weeks ago, I mentioned three important tools for grilling: the grilling fork, spatula and tongs. These tools can simplify any grilling experience. There are a few more I wanted to mention at the beginning of the grilling season.
Although the tools I mention this week are specifically for the charcoal or wood griller, they are important for the gas griller too, who may be able to use them.
Have you ever thought about how something can make a job quite a bit easier? My grandfather did. He was always coming up with tools or unique ways of doing things. I am not a mechanical person, but I like to think of how I may have received some of his intuition on things.
In addition to knowing how to fix things, my grandfather was a grilling pioneer. Using his knowledge of construction and his enjoyment of grilling and barbecuing, he constructed his own grill. He also had a few grilling tools that I consider some of my “must haves.” These tools never left his Weber kettle grill since they were always hanging on the side.
My grandfather’s tools were always right at hand because he had a tool holder on the side of the grill. A tool holder is a simple device that fits over part of the kettle and has hooks to hang your tools.
Although this one is designed specifically for the Weber kettle grill, other manufactures make similar devices specifically for their charcoal and wood grills. Tools that have holes in the handles fit right over the hooks, or if you are handy, a hole can be drilled into the handle of the tool.
As a special note to gas grillers on this one, a tool holder may be used on gas grills, too. A tool holder is great to use when you do not have a place to set clean tools that come into contact with food.
One of the great tool ideas my grandfather had was actually a different way of thinking about an ordinary kitchen tool. A metal spoon is great for stirring a pot, but it is invaluable as part of this tool kit. A metal spoon can be used to spread out the hot charcoal. It can also be used to remove hot coals if the fire is too hot. Finally, a metal spoon can be help clean the ash from the bottom of the grill.
As a special note, if you are using an older metal spoon from the kitchen, make sure everyone knows you’re using it. There is nothing worse than someone finding out that the spoon they had been looking for is actually hanging on the side of the grill.
Just like a grilling fork is used to pick up items on the grill, it is also good for using with the grill. Grilling forks can be used to pick up the grill grate when it is hot. Just like the metal spoon, a grilling fork can be used to move hot coals. This is one of the tools that gas grillers may use to move their grilling grate, too.
Also similar to the grilling tools from two weeks ago, tongs can be used for some of the same purposes as the metal spoon and grilling fork. They can move hot coals just the same, but I think tongs give better control when moving individual pieces. Tongs are also used when adding more fuel to the fire. When adding more charcoal, the charcoal can be placed in specific places.
Oven mitts are very thick because they protect the hands from oven hot metal. The same can be said for their use when grilling items such as a grilling basket or rotisserie rod. Since these items are metal, the handle will become very hot. Again, make sure the oven mitt you use is OK to leave outside.
