11 barbecue gadgets for your next barbecue adventure
15/7/2023
Translation: machine translated
Summertime, barbecue time. To make your next barbecue evening a success, I have put together eleven interesting and sometimes funny barbecue gadgets.
I love barbecuing: whether at home, with friends or on the go. It's relaxing and - if you have it under control - tastes good every time. As a big meat lover, I don't skimp on the shopping. A streaky pork neck steak is not going on my barbecue. I'd rather treat myself to lamb salmon, a pork fillet, meatballs, roulade skewers, dates wrapped in bacon or other tasty alternatives. But it's not just choosing the right barbecue meat that is important for me as a barbecue lover. A few barbecue gadgets improve the fun and flavour of barbecuing. I would like to introduce you to eleven of them.
1) Barbecue cutlery
The most important tool is and remains the barbecue tongs. No matter what type of barbecue you use. They make it easy to grip and move most barbecued food. Of course, it is also possible to use a fork, but you should really avoid that. If you prick the meat, precious juices and flavourful fat can escape. As a result, your nice, juicy piece of meat will dry out. Alternatively, you can also use a turner, especially for burger patties or fish.
2) Cutting board/workstation
Whether near the barbecue or in the kitchen: a good chopping board is very valuable for preparation and cooking. A juice groove catches liquids and keeps your surroundings clean. A proper workstation also has bowls for collecting chopped food. You can then easily transport them to the barbecue, for your salad, to the bin or to the compost.
3) Smoker box
Would you like to refine your meat, fish or vegetables with an individual smoked flavour? You don't necessarily need a smoker for this. With a small smoker box, you can also do this on gas or charcoal barbecues. Smoking chips, flour or shavings, but also fresh herbs such as thyme, garlic or rosemary are ideal. Just give it a try. It takes a bit of practice, as our colleague Simon found out.
4) Barbecue mat
One thing is always particularly annoying: food falling through the grill. Barbecue mats offer you a perfect base for the barbecue: whether round or rectangular, large or small. They are available in different shapes and sizes. The thin Teflon mats conduct the heat perfectly and provide a great experience. Nice side effect: the barbecue mat keeps your barbecue mostly clean and can even be easily wiped clean with washing-up liquid.
5) Barbecue trays
If you don't want to use a barbecue mat, I can recommend barbecue trays as an alternative. Whether for your meat, sausage or vegetables. A grill tray makes preparation easier, especially for small pieces of food such as mushrooms or sausages. I would avoid disposable aluminium trays. Stainless steel, ceramic or enamel are more sustainable and work better.
6) Marinade syringe
I have to admit that I haven't heard much about this yet. But it's supposed to be a real insider tip from the USA. You no longer marinate or spread your steaks, but inject them directly into the meat. This ensures a tender, juicy result. Use a marinade syringe to make pinpricks in the meat. You should make sure that you distribute the marinade evenly with several pricks. Exactly how many pricks you make is up to you. Tastes are different. I'll definitely give it a try.
7) Meat thermometer
A professional tool for anyone who needs to know exactly what's what. Whether medium, rare or medium well. You can always get the meat just right thanks to precise measurement of the core temperature. Here's how it works: insert the probe of the barbecue thermometer into the thickest part of your meat. Be careful not to hit any bones, as these conduct heat and distort the result. The core temperature is measured via the sensors and either shown on the display or transmitted to your mobile via Bluetooth. The smartphone app notifies you as soon as the optimum cooking point is reached.
8) Stick bread skewers
Another tip for young and old adventurers on the go: For me, good bread is as much a part of a barbecue as a good piece of meat. Bread on a stick is an old classic, whether at a barbecue or around a campfire. Especially as a child, I loved baking bread over the fire. What I always disliked back then was the slight wood flavour. A stainless steel grill tube remedies this.
Now I have a few more absurd gadgets for you.
9) Branding iron
Now it gets absurd. The meat tattoo or simply personalised meat: sounds funny. It can be a hit at a barbecue. Many branding irons can be personalised with interchangeable motifs or letters. Want to personalise your meat with your name? No problem. Or you want to issue a warning to the evil meat thief at the party? That's also possible: all with a pinch of humour, of course. To use, place the branding iron in the embers for a few minutes and then press it firmly onto your barbecue food.
10) Pizza stone
Do you love barbecuing? But you also crave a delicious pizza? Why not combine the two? With a pizza stone, you "bake", er, grill the dough evenly. The plate ensures constant heat distribution and the stone removes excess moisture and fat. This results in a perfectly browned, crispy base for your pizza or bread. This works best on grills with a lid that you keep closed.
11) Waffle iron
The barbecue waffle iron is just as funny, but even more absurd. Equipped with a long handle, you hold it directly on the grill grid or in the embers.
Which gadgets do you swear by? Which ones do you find interesting and which can you do without completely? Feel free to write your experiences and suggestions in the comments.
Cover photo: Kim Muntinga
My interests are varied, I just like to enjoy life. Always on the lookout for news about darts, gaming, films and series.