The easiest way to grill vegetables, shrimp, and small cuts
of meat is to pierce them on skewers or kebab holders. Bamboo skewers, which
can only be used once, should be sturdy and about 12 inches long. If you buy
metal, look for ones made of stainless steel—it won't rust and is dishwasher
safe. Double-pronged versions are better at holding food in place. Whatever
you're grilling—scallops, chunks of lamb, whole mushrooms—will stay in place
and be evenly cooked.
Our pick:
Grill Friends Double Kabob Skewers; $19.99; bbqproshop.com
Grilling fish is a little tricky because it often sticks,
breaks, and falls through the cooking grate. Fish baskets are one option, but
fish often sticks to those as well. A silicone mat prevents sticking; you
simply lay it directly on the cooking grates and then lay the food on top of
it. This one has perforations, which allow the fish juices to drip down to the
heat source at which point they vaporize and flavor the fish as it cooks.
Silicone mats can also be used to grill vegetables.
Our pick:
Grill Friends Silicone Grill mat; $20.99; bbqproshop.com
A pizza peel helps you move pizza crust on and off the
grill. Look for a peel with a beveled edge to slide under the pizza, a large
surface (at least 13-inches in diameter) and a long (10 to 12 inches) handle to
keep your hands away from the fire. If you don't want to invest in a peel, use
an upside-down baking sheet instead.
Our pick:
Ironwood Gourmet Pizza Peel; $25; ironwoodgourmet.com
A rib rack resembles an English toast holder and keeps racks
of ribs upright, allowing hot air to rotate around the entire rack during
cooking. Look for one that is tall enough to reach at least halfway up the
ribs, which will help keep them in place. For convenience, purchase one that is
dishwasher safe.
Our pick:
Weber 6406 Rib Rack; $15.99; amazon.com
A vertical chicken roaster is helpful for making beer-can
chicken. The roaster has a vertical piece that holds the chicken upright over a
tray of beer. The beer steams and flavors the chicken, resulting in a moist and
delicious bird. Look for a roaster that is large enough to support a four- to
six-pound chicken. If you want to roast vegetables as you roast the chicken,
buy one with an attached roasting pan.
Our pick:
Weber Poultry Roaster; $34.99; amazon.com
One increasingly popular way to add flavor to delicate
foods, especially fish, is to cook atop a wood plank. Many options are
available at supermarkets and specialty shops. You can buy wood from a
lumberyard, but make sure it's untreated, as treated wood can be toxic. Planks
have to be soaked before using (so they don't catch fire); make sure the one
you buy is small enough to fit in a sink, cooler, or bucket. If you entertain,
a nice option is a plank that fits into its own serving platter. These can be
easy to use and beautiful to present.
Our pick:
Cedar Grilling Planks & Holder Set; $49.95; williams-sonoma.com
Grilling in the dark is difficult, because you can't see the
food or the fire. You could use a heavy-duty flashlight outside, but this will
tie up one hand. A permanent light installed on the patio would be the best
scenario, but the second-best option is a portable outdoor light strong enough
to illuminate the whole area. Look for one that can stand up to harsh weather.
The one pictured here is weighted and will steady itself in strong wind.
Our pick:
Wobble Patio Light PL100; $159; amazon.com
If your grill has a lid, you can add soaked wood chips and
use it to "smoke" food fairly easily. However, some people opt to
purchase a dedicated smoker because those are more efficient and allow you to
smoke bigger cuts as well as larger quantities of meat. Smokers run the gamut
from an inexpensive bullet smoker—named for its bulletlike shape—to a barbecue
rig that can cost as much as a small house. They are all designed to cook food
by the indirect method with charcoal and/or wood. The bullet smoker pictured
here is easy to use and is large enough to smoke a whole turkey and a ham at
the same time.
Our pick:
Weber-Stephens Smokey Mountain Cooker Smoker; $299; amazon.com
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