It’s barbeque season. As a grill master, it’s your time to shine, or flop. It all depends on how prepared you are, as the BBQ accessories you’ve got available can make a huge difference between undercooked and overcooked meat.
The right summer cookout gear takes the stress out of grilling—so you can man the grill with a cold beer in hand, looking like a pro in front of your friends and family.
At Goode Co. Shop, we’ve been grilling away since the 70s and are here to recommend the best BBQ accessories and gifts for grill masters this summer!
Must-Have BBQ Accessories for Every Summer Grill Master
Grill tongs
Don’t settle for old rusty tongs or think you can quickly turn meat over with your fork. Get a nice set of stainless steel tongs. They don’t need to be much fancier than that, but a rubber strip on the handle will secure your grip when you’re turning your brisket and sausages.
Spatulas
A spatula is a must-have BBQ accessory for sliding underneath meat in one slick turn. And, they’re great for serving. They give you speed so you can flip burger patties in seconds, even if you’re cooking for your entire extended family.
This is a far better idea than stabbing the barbeque meat, as you’ll lose all the good stuff (the juices). Again, go for stainless steel.
Meat thermometers
Getting that perfect combo between meat that falls apart, but is also hot enough to be safe to eat (and delicious) can’t be done with the naked eye. Sorry. And burning your fingers isn’t much of a better idea either.
So, get yourself a meat thermometer. These grilling tools can give you a reading in seconds, with a very accurate reading.
There’s no need to get a fancy one, but if you want to make life easier, you can use a smart meat thermometer. There are even some that connect an app on your phone, with a timer to tell you when to stop.
Fire-safe gloves
If you’re looking to grill a few chicken wings, you’ll need real protection from the heat - because you’re going to be handling big cuts of meat like brisket and pork ribs. Plus, you might want to move parts of the grill while it’s still hot. All that can be done safely with a heat and flame-resistant pair of gloves. The good ones protect your entire forearm and provide a decent grip for handling greasy plates and tools.
Basting brushes
Basting brushes are made so you can spread delicious sauces over the meat. It’s a far better idea than spreading it with a knife or just pouring it. But we recommend getting a basting brush with a long handle. If it’s too short, you’ll burn your hands, and the sauce will spit back at you after it drips onto the grill. Silicone bristle basting brushes can be the way to go, too, as they’re very heat-resistant and easy to clean.
Cutting boards
We guarantee you’ll have something you want to cook in the yard, rather than the kitchen. So, get yourself a dedicated outdoor cutting board as a BBQ accessory.
BBQ scraper
A barbeque scraper is a game-changer for clean-up. A wooden one will protect your grill from scratches and enable you to clear off the majority of the gunk and oils that build up during cooking. Your meat will cook better and faster!
Don’t Forget the Sauces
Trust us, when we say that adding a quality barbeque sauce takes your grilled meat from decent to outstanding.
Don’t settle for cheap store-bought sauces. There’s nothing better than an authentic Texan flavor, which we offer with our original Goode Co. Shop sauces. These also make for great gifts for grill masters:
Goode’s Original Texan Barbeque Sauce
Sweet and smoky, our traditional Texan barbeque sauce has been perfected over the decades and is available in 13, 24, or 64 oz glass bottles. Using a traditional Texas tomato base, it’s perfect for finishing off your beef, pork, or chicken meat.
Heavy Garlic Barbeque Sauce
Our Goode Co. Shop alternative suggestion is the Heavy Garlic sauce option. It uses all the same ingredients as our Original BBQ sauce but with a generous addition of garlic for intense garlic flavor.
Jalapeño Garlic BBQ Sauce
If you prefer something with a zesty, spirited spice, then go for Goode Co.’s Jalapeño Garlic Barbeque sauce. It’s a blend of our famous Original BBQ Sauce with a flare of jalapeño pepper - perfect for tortillas.
Pro Tips for Hosting Your Summer Cookout
Here are some additional grilling prep and safety tips to make your cookout a success:
1. Clean your grill in advance
Clean the grates with a wire brush beforehand to get off any old gunk or rust. Also, check the burner tubes for debris or even life that may have nested in there (it’s often spiders).
If you’re using a charcoal grill, remove leftover ash and clean out the vents. You can wipe the inside with a damp cloth.
This is also a good time to check that the grill is in good health and stable, so you know to order new parts before the day of the cookout.
2. Stock up on fuel
If you’re operating a gas grill, then have a full tank and a spare. There’s nothing worse than running out of fuel in front of everyone.
If you’ve got a pellet smoker, it’s generally advised that you opt for wood pellets rather than wood chips. They burn slowly, which can enhance flavor. Whereas wood chips are uncompressed, which can have the opposite effect.
A charcoal grill requires hardwood lumps or briquettes. It’s wise to avoid using self-lighting types as they can affect flavor.
3. Create a safety zone
Try to place your grill at least 3 feet from where kids or pets will be. I.e., don’t place it in the middle of the yard where the kids will be running about.
4. Wear the right gear
We’ve already mentioned fire-safe gloves, and we may be stating the obvious here, but avoid loose clothing that could get caught or burned. If you’ve got lovely long hair, then be sure to tie it up and keep away from your face.
5. Food safety
Finally, remember, don’t cross-contaminate raw foods. And use a meat thermometer to ensure proper internal temps, including:
- Poultry: 165°F
- Ground meats: 160°F
- Beef, pork, lamb: 145°F (rest 3 minutes)
Gear Up for the Ultimate Summer BBQ Cookout
If you’re looking to make your summer cookout as perfect as possible, you can make life easier with Goode Co. Shop. Alongside our delicious pantry goods, we also sell pre-smoked BBQ meats, such as pork ribs, mesquite turkey breast, smoked brisket, and hand-crafted sausages.
We use only the finest cuts of USDA beef and carefully season and smoke our meats to perfection. It’s damn Goode and done the right way. So, whether your cookout is for Father’s Day, July 4th, or any other occasion, choose Goode Co. Shop.