Monday, January 18, 2010

Barbecue Accessories Can Revolutionize Your Grilling Technique

By Stephen Daniels

Nothing compares to the aroma of a steak or a rack of pork ribs sizzling on the grill. While some people might think that spring is still too far off to think about grilling, barbecue enthusiasts are already thinking about ways they can tune up their techniques before the season officially arrives. Here are some barbecue accessories that are sure to interest both beginning and expert grill chefs.

There's no denying that charcoal imparts that classic grilled flavor that barbecue fans love. On the other hand, the efficiency and ease of using a gas grill has converted many die-hard grillers. One popular option to combine the best of both grills is the use of charcoal baskets. Made of durable stainless steel, these baskets sit right on top of a gas grill's burners. This enables the coals to heat quickly and be ready for cooking in no time at all.

Wood chips of many different varieties, including hickory, alder, maple or applewood, impart a delicious smoky flavor to grilled food. Many gas grills come with baskets or drawers that are especially for wood chips, or a basket for this purpose can be purchased separately.

A unique gadget that turns your grill into a rotisserie, the Rib-O-Lator is a great accessory option. Easily installed inside most medium to large grills, the difference between Rib-O-Lator and other rotisserie attachments is its four tray design. The trays are perfect for ribs and many different foods that ordinary rotisseries can't accommodate. Rotisserie is an indirect cooking technique, which means the juices get sealed inside food to make it tender, moist and flavorful. The trays on this gadget help to contain the juices, preventing dangerous flare-ups and keeping the grill cleaner. Also, this handy tool gives you more surface space to cook for bigger crowds, and it requires less supervision than traditional barbecue methods.

Another interesting product is the Flavordome Barbecue Flavoring System, which is a set of grilling products that trap in heat, smoke, reduce fire and burn, and create cleaner smoke flavor. It comes with several excellent rubs and sauces to use in conjunction with the tools.

Grilling baskets are a simple yet ingenious way to grill delicate foods or smaller items without them falling through the grating or sticking to the grill. These baskets are like small cages that hold food securely. Most have a handle so that you can easily turn them. They come in regular and non-stick varieties as well as in many sizes and shapes. Use of a corn basket, for instance, can eliminate the all-too-common problem of charring when grilling whole corn ears. Bigger baskets can accommodate vegetables and smaller meat items simultaneously. Some have long, detachable handles so that the grill lid can be fully closed during the cooking process.

What do you buy for the grill chef that has everything? Iron brands for marking food on the grill make a unique gifts. Avid barbecue fans will enjoy the novelty of stamping a "signature" on their barbecue masterpieces. Brands might say Dad or Chef, but can also be customized with initials or names.

Barbecue methods vary greatly between chef to chef, and are as unique as the individuals that create them. Everyone has their own secrets for grilling that ideal steak or rack of ribs. No matter if you're looking for a way to reduce cleanup time or an entirely new method of using your grill, these tools offer great options for just about anyone.

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