Anybody can pack a road trip grill into the car and toss a few burgers on it when it's time to eat but how can you tell the real road trip grillmasters from the amateurs at sports and outdoors events? We did our homework and pulled up the best grilling accessories and techniques from the guys who write the barbecue hero books.
The Equipment. These are the grilling accessories you need to earn your grillmaster stripes.
1. Grillmasters use wood chips. You have to be a little more creative about positioning the wood chips with a propane grill than the guy tossing mesquite on charcoal but it pays off when your guests start praising you for that "extra something" they get only when you do the grilling.
Here's the lowdown on what to expect from the different kinds of wood chips:
Mesquite will overpower everything but the tastiest porterhouse. Use very lightly or mix with other woods.
Hickory is best with pork.
Oak wood chips produce a lighter flavor than mesquite or hickory but are still good for beef and chicken.
Cherry is the girlie wood. Good for fish and vegetables but too light for beef.
2. Spatulas have to be stainless steel and at least 16 inches long. 20,000 BTU is a lot of heat when you're reaching into the back of the grill. Flexible is better than thick and heavy.
3. Forks should be used sparingly if at all. A red hot pierced porterhouse will leak juices like a sieve. If you must - go for stainless steel and at least 16 inches long.
4. Stainless steel tongs are your primary food moving tool. Go for spring loaded and 16 inches long. Heavy duty is good for tongs. You do not want them bending or twisting.
5. Instant read meat thermometer is an absolute must. Undercooked beef can ruin your day. This is also the only sure way to cook an expensive porterhouse to exactly the "right" doneness for each guest.
6. Chef's knife and wooden cutting board. Go with a high carbon stainless chef knife that's 8 inches or more. Keep it razor sharp and you can cut and chop anything that can fit on a grill grate.
7. The road trip lxe and stainless pro side shelves are usually enough but for big gatherings an outdoor cart or table is a must. You can use it to keep your tools handy, for cutting, and for serving. Stainless steel if you can.
8. Two inch pastry brush with natural bristles for basting. Avoid plastic bristles which can not only melt if left too close to the heat but always seem to shed bristles on your work even when new.
9. Leather grill gloves. Grilling experts say that leather provides the best combination of dexterity and heat and grease protection. Leather makes the best looking grill gloves too.
