About links on this site. The links within the tan areas at the top and right of these pages are paid ads. Within the white, editorial content areas on this site, links and recommendations are absolutely positively not advertisements or paid endorsements. They are products, services, and websites I admire. Your suggestions are always welcome. Click here to send them to me. If you would like me to link to your website, click here to read my links policy first. Most product photographs are provided by the manufacturer, all the rest a made by Meathead.
Shopping tip. When a product is available on Amazon.com, GrillsDirect.com, and ShoppersChoice.com, I often provide a direct link. These reliable merchants often have the best prices anywhere, even better than the manufacturer's website. That's because manufacturers know that if they undercut other merchants, important resellers may drop their products. Full disclosure: Amazon.com, GrillsDirect.com, and ShoppersChoice.com pay me a small commission so purchasing from them helps underwrite the cost of operating AmazingRibs.com. But better reasons to buy from them are low price, fast delivery, and good refund policies. Please let me know if you find discrepencies in model numbers, specs, and prices.
Grill and smoker replacement parts
BBQparts.com. A great source of replacement parts.
Low and slow cooking on a hot summer days means you need a good cooler and a beer stein with a lid.
Amazing Ribs steins and aprons. Heft a cold one in this 22 ounce ceramic stein with gold trim. We have a range of mugs that say "BBQ God", "Jeet?", "Got Ribs?", "iRibs", "Eat Me", and more. Dishwasher and microwave safe. We have coffee mugs and clothing with these fun captions. Sold through CafePress.com.
La Chaise Recliner. These are a rip off of the famous French recliner by Lafuma. I own two of them, and, man, are they comfortable. This model is cheaper. Park it next to the cooler, pour a cold one into your stein, set your Maverick remote temperature monitor on top of the cooler. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, click here.
Gar Grill Rotisserie Coffee Roaster Kit. Now here's one of those slap your forehead and mumble "why didn't I think of that" ideas. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, click here
Don't waste your
money on these
Here are some popular items that you should avoid:
Toolkits. Soure looks cool in its carrying case, but I've never seen one with all the tools I need, and they often come with poor quality tools or unnecessary tools. I buy them a la carte.
Corded mops. They are popular for applying sauces and mop sauces, but they are impossible to keep sanitary. They are a bout of the runs, or worse, waiting to happen.
Small bristle brushes. They do a good job of cleaning, but wear out too quickly.
Pig stickers and forks. They just puncture the meat and valuable juices leak out. A cooked slab of ribs ca rib if manhandled by these. Use tongs and spatulas to turn things on the grill.
Burger presses. The best burgers are loosely packed and a bit jagged onthe edges so they get crispy. So skip these presses that make your lovingly made burgers look like they came from a fast food joint.
Here's a list of tools, equipment, gadgets, and toys that can help make you a better cook. I have listed winners of "Meathead's Hot Stuff Award" at the top. Click here for my guide to meat thermometers. Click here for a complete list of all meat thermometers available on Amazon.com. Full disclosure: Amazon.com pays me a small commission, but a better reason to buy from them is low price, fast delivery, and a good refund policy.
Smokenator 1000. This is the most useful and clever tool for the backyard cook that I've seen this year. If you have a Weber Kettle grill, you need a Smokenator.
For less than $50 you can easily convert a standard Weber Kettle into a smoker capable of making restaurant quality smoked ribs, pork shoulder, brisket, turkey, or salmon. If you have a limited budget or limited deck space, there is no need to buy a standalone smoker.
Here's how it works: The Smokenator is a simple piece of bent 18 gauge stainless steel that inserts into the lower half of the kettle. You can place meat on the lower and the upper rack so it is possible you can get 8-10 slabs on at once. Then you put some unlit coals in the Smokenator, some wood chunks on top of them, some lit coals on top of the wood, and some water in the water cup. Put the lid on, adjust the dampers, and go drink a beer. It will pump out aromatic smoke and just the right low and slow temp for hours. I had no trouble keeping the temp under 250F on a 100F day. The thick steel plate blocks your meat from direct exposure to the flames becoming a large flat radiator providing indirect heat. The water bowl keeps moisture in the oven which helps develop the smoke ring. Keep in mind that this is a "hot" smoker so it can't do cold smoking for things like lox or cheese. But it can do just about anything else the fancy-schmancy smokers do. A very clever, inexpenzive gadget that actually works as advertised. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, click here.
Weber Chimney Starter. Break our addiction to oil! Reduce air pollution! Or just get your charcoal started faster, cheaper, and without that petrochemical smell. This Weber chimney holds enough briquettes to start most cookers. Just stuff some newspaper in the bottom and dump the charcoal in the top. Light the paper, and in a few minutes the coals are glowing white, and there is no residual solvent in the coals to flavor your food and poison your guests. The thermoplastic handle doesn't melt, and it stays cool. Made from durable aluminized steel, mine is three years old and it sits out all winter. The previous one I bought, another brand, rusted out and the wooden handle fell off in one year. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, click here.
Weber Kettle Charcoal Rails. These are designed for banking coals into two piles on a Weber grill, but I use mine for something else entirely. I have a second bottom grate that I put on top of the rails, and the coals go on top of this elevated grate. That puts them at the perfect height for searing steaks, just below the cooking grates. Yes, if you're gooking red meats, the secret is a very hot fire, and raising the coals just a few inches makes a huge diff. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, click here.
E-Z Que Rotisseries. These are by far my favorite rotisseries and the best way to cook birds, hams, and roasts on a grill. The birds nestle nicely in the basket and the arm pins them down. It's easy to fit more than one bird in the basket. On my small Weber Genesis it is easy to get in three whole chickens. With the old-fashioned rotisserie units you had to use sharp forks to pierce the meat, and then you had to tie down the wings and drumsticks. More than once I stabbed myself with the forks. The motor has an on-off switch, something my old rotisserie lacked. E-Z Que makes several models and sizes, large ones for turkeys, hams, an other large cuts, attachments for the Weber Kettle, for gas grills, standalone units, and even whole hog roasters. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com,click here.
Outset Brand Collapsible Rib Rack with Removable Dividers. Here's how you can fit five slabs of ribs on a small smoker like a Weber Kettle or Weber Smokey Mountain. Good rib racks hold the slabs upright with enough airspace between them to allow airflow and smoke penetration. Bad rib racks hold the meat too close together so they don't cook properly (see my article on rib racks). This particularly clever design is made from stainless steel and it and has five slots (most others have only four). Just be careful and do not overcrowd a rib rack. If the slabs are touching they will take much longer to cook. It is a good idea to add time to your cooking session if you use a rib rack.
The wires on this rack can be removed to make room for thicker cuts of meat, like butterflied chickens, or for easy cleaning. It can also be collapsed for easy storage. The best on the market. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, click here.
Grill Friends Silicone Brush. Silicone brushes are the best thing to happen to barbecue since the charcoal briquette. I long ago relegated my natural and nylon bristle brushes to cleaning computer keyboards. They load up with lots of sauce, deliver it evenly, and are so easy to clean and decontaminate. They are dishwasher safe. We have three: One for barbecue, one my wife uses for egg washes and other baking, and one for whatever. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, click here.
LamsonSharp Tongs. A jumbo hybrid of tongs and spatulas, this is the proper tool for flipping fish, burgers, and other crumbly foods. Rosewood handle protects you against the heat, and there is a leather loop for hanging. They come with a lifetime warranty. I find them to be indespensible. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, click here.
Extra Long Suede Leather Gloves. Real heavy duty suede gloves with cotton lining that go almost to my elbow. I use mine to lift hot grates, push coals around, reach into the fire box to place logs, lift food from deep down inside the Weber Smokey Mountain. I have even used it to pick up hot coals. They beat oven mits because they have fingers making it much easier to maipulate tongs and handle grates. I have two pairs, one for lifting food, and one for all else. When they get dirty I just put them on and wash my hands with a bar of soap. Ranked #1 by Cook's Illustrated. Essential.c For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, click here.
BBQr's Delight Pellets. Are you a pellethead? I am. Pellets are made of compressed sawdust (here's an article that discusses them). That's all. No glue. My favorite supplier is BBQr's Delight brand. There is a wide range to experiment with: Jack Daniel's, sugar maple, cherry, pecan, black walnut, oak, orange, sassafras, mulberry, alder, and savory herb. Another advantage is that you can add pellets precisely from a measuring cup, so you can get the right amount for your smoker and no more. There is nothing worse than oversmoked meat. They also have "Smoke Stix" which are logs of compressed sawdust about 8" long for large cookers. To order, click here.
Rapala Soft-Grip Fillet Knife. This cheapo blade is called a fillet knife, but I use for a lot of kitchen tasks, and lately I find I reach for it more often than my expensive German knives.
It has a dangerously sharp 7.5" thin flexible blade, a wicked sharp tip, and it's cheap, about $16. It's great for slicing tomatoes, removing silverskin on meat, boning, cutting ribs on hot peppers, and, of course, filleting.
I hone it with the cheapo V sharpener that came with it every month or so, and every six months or so I caress it across my fancy honing stones. Every year or so I trash it and get a new one. For discount pricing and direct ordering the 7.5" knife from Amazon.com, click here. To see all the different sizes available, click here.
Reynolds Handi-Vac. Until this handi gizmo came on the market in 2008, vacuum sealing, the best way to freeze foods, meant the purchase of an expensive unit that took up valuable counter space and plugged into a wall socket. The Reynolds Handi-Vac is barely larger than a flashlight, operates on batteries. It uses zipper bags with a built-in valve. They are not cheap, but worth it because they keep their seal well and do a great job of preventing freezer burn and flavor preservation. They cost between 35¢ and $1, depending on the size of the bag and the quantity you buy. To see the current discount prices on Amazon, click here.
Coleman 40 Quart Cooler. Capacious (67 cans), with can holders in the lid, large wheels, a long tow handle, and a drain plug. The manufacturer says it is sturdy enough to sit on, keeps ice for 6-7 days at ambient temperatures up to 90F. Most importantly: You can keep your meats and marinades in it when you need a faux cambro (a very important tool). For discount pricing on the 40 quart and direct ordering from Amazon.com, click here. For discount pricing on the 50 quart and direct ordering from Amazon.com, click here.
Grillslinger BBQ Tool Belt. Too cool. This is what you need when you don't have enough shelf space outdoors. Features a wide nylon belt with four deep reinforced side pockets that can each hold a number of large tools. Included is a starter set: a wide spatula, an all-purpose knife, and scalloped tongs, all with long, sturdy rubber-clad handles. When you're done, throw it in the washing machine. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, click here.
BBQ Guru. What a cool concept! "Shotgun" Fred Pirkle and his associates have invented a computerized thermostat connected to a blower and damper that manages the oxygen supply to your charcoal or wood fire, allowing you better temperature control. Fred says the BBQ Guru can be fitted to most cookers, from a humble Weber Kettle to a competition-grade pit. The computer can be set so the blower will be turned up high to get your coals started quickly and sear your meat as you start cooking, then it can be turned down for low and slow, then it can be turned down lower to hold the meat at your desired finished temp, and finally it can be turned off to kill the coals. You can set it so alarms ring when certain temps are reached or after an elapsed time period. There are several models and packages you can buy to fit your smoker. For example, one has a small fan and one temperature probe for the oven. Another has a second probe that can be inserted into the meat. Another configuration has a larger fan for larger pits, two probes, and a remote control. Unfortunately, deciding what you need is hard to determine from the website, so you will want to make a phone call and speak to a sales rep. BBQ Guru.
Rock's Stoker. Introduced in 2006 to compete with the BBQ Guru (above), the Stoker works similarly. It can control the temperature from 100-450F. It has an ethernet port, and if you hook it up to a wireless router, you can control it from a web browser anywhere. The basic Stoker system includes a Stoker, five CFM blower, one pit temperature sensor, power supply, and manual. You can use multiple probes, and the controller can handle multiple blowers on multiple cookers. Enter the temp, and it does just what you want. Verrrrrry cool. Or hot. As you want it. For more info, click here: Rock's Stoker.
Bear Paws. These handy plastic paws are helpful for lifting large roasts and birds, but they really shine when you need to pull hot pork. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, click here.
OXO Good Grips Tongs. Rated #1 by Cooks Illustrated and winners of the Tylenol/Arthritis Foundation Design Award. Dishwasher safe stainless steel with OXO's popular nonslip rubber handles. The ends are scalloped for better gripping. There is a loop for hanging and a mechanism that locks them in closed position for storing (which has failed after several years on all three pairs that I have). Regardless, they are still my faves. I just store them with a cardboard toilet paper core over the ends. I use mine for everything from the grill to tossing salads. For discount pricing on the 12" tongs and direct ordering from Amazon.com, click here.
The 18" tongs don't have the locking mechanism, but they are necessary if you have a deep pit. But be warned, the longer the tongs, the less leverage you have and the harder it is to get a grip. For discount pricing on the 18" tongs and direct ordering from Amazon.com, click here.
I also recommend their nylon tipped tongs for use on non-stick cookware. For discount pricing on the 9" tongs and direct ordering from Amazon.com, click here.
Bayou Classic 8.5 Quart Cast Iron Dutch Oven. This is the cast iron pot used for cowboy cooking. Sit it on top of coals and shovel more coals on top of the flat lid with a raised rim, and you can cook classic chili, baked beans, cornbread, cassaroles, and even cobblers. Indoors we use it for whole chickens, braising, and so much more. It is 13" wide x 7" high, and weighs 21 pounds. Includes perforated aluminum basket for steaming, frying, or boiling. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, click here. Click here for a complete list of all cast iron pots and pans available on Amazon.com.
Lodge Logic Pro 20" x 10 7/16" Cast Iron Grill/Griddle. If you like seafood, you need a good cast iron griddle, and Lodge is renowned for quality. Coat the flat side with oil, and you can sear fish so it is golden and crispy on the outside just like that great pan-seared fish you get in restaurants. Throw some dried herbs onto the flame, and you'll get a whisp of smoke in the meat.
You can even bring it inside, flip it over and it will straddle two burners for "grilling" steaks or asparagus indoors. Use the flat side for pancakes or tortillas. The secret is that you get grill marks and contact cooking from the ridges, and the fats and juices drip into the grooves where they vaporize and flavor the meat.
This is a very handly tool. One word of caution. You may need two. If you use it for fish a lot, the flavor will remain on the surface, even after cleaning, so you can't use it for pancakes anymore.
I have two of them and I use the ridged sides of both for making paninis. And my spatchcocked Cornish game hens pressed between the flat sides are unbelievably crisp and juicy in only 20 minutes. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, click here.
Coleman InstaStart Butane Burner. If your grills didn't come with a side burner, here's how to make up for the deficiency. Butane burners like this get very hot very fast, and are great for keeping sauces warm or even for frying side dishes. My only complaint is that it doees not come with a carrying case. Note that the butane tanks do not come in the box and they are hard to find online or in hardware stores, but they are easy to find in Korean or other "Oriental" groceries where these burners are popular. Make sure you have a source for fuel before you buy one of these. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, click here.
Grill Grabber. Use a Grill Grabber to lift your hot and dirty grill grates, even if there's the food still on them. Us this gadget when you need to add coals, wood, water. water pans, or to rescue food that has dropped through the grates. This may seem like a frivolity, but it is a thoroughly useful tool. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, click here.
ZaGrill Pizza Cooker. These are great for pizza because the perforated pan sits on lega on two plates that dissipate the direct heat and deliver even heat and color to the crust. Or you can just use the perforated top part as a grill topper for grilling cubes of meat, veggies, and small shrimp. I only wish it was larger than 12". For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, click here. For discount pricing at The Grill Store & More, click here.
Eastman Stainless Marinade Injector. Most of the top competition chefs inject their butts, hams, turkeys, briskets, and large cuts with flavorful marinades. This Italian stainless steel model is not the cheapest, but stainless is much easier to clean and harder to break. It has 12 holes on the 6 inch needle for thorough distribution of marinade, a comfortable three-hole finger grip, and a removable lid to make filling and cleaning easy. For current pricing and direct ordering from GrillsDirect.com, click here.
Grill Island Accessories. Why not go all the way? Why not build an outdoor kitchen? Grill, smoker, burners, fridge, drawers, warming drawer, cabinets, tilt out trash can, and even the kitchen sink for starters. And let's get it all in stainless while we're at it! Don't quit your day job until it's paid for. For current pricing and direct ordering from GrillsDirect.com, click here.
Jaccard 15 Knife Meat Tenderizer. This is the tool you need if you are cooking tough but flavorful cuts like beef short ribs. It uses 15 stainless steel blades to slice through tough connective tissue and tenderizes without enzymes. This particular model is dishwasher safe and easy to clean because the blades can be removed. For current pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com click here.
KitchenAid Mezzaluna. This gizmo looks like another gadget to take up space in your drawer, but it is really handy. I use it often for mincing herbs. It is much easier to use for this task than a chef's knife. The KitchenAid model is the only one I have seen with a blade cover.There are cussting boards sold that are concave for use with a mezzaluna, but I have never seen the need for them. For current pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com click here
Krups GX4100 Electric Coffee and Spice Grinder. Whole spices keep better than ground so buy stuff whole and get a coffee grinder for reducing peppecorns to crushed pepper, or for powdering celery seeds, anise, caraway, bay leaves, etc. Get one with a blade not burrs, and make sure it is easy to clean if you plan to use it for both coffee and spices ("Honey, why does the coffee make me cry today?"). For current pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.comclick here
Great grate cleaning
One of the keys to successful grilling is having clean grates. Alas, there is no single tool that does the job perfectly. Below are links to my favorite tools.
I use the Grill T-Brush to brush off the dust from the Grill Bricks and to clean while cooking and while flipping meats, and once a month or so I use a Billy Bar to get the sides and bottoms. Click here for a complete list of all grill brushes available on Amazon.com.
Grill T-Brush. This is a large brass-wire brush that is best used for quick cleaning of a hot grill between racks of ribs or after flipping fish. The long handle keeps your fingers from burning. It is my all-purpose fave. Just be very careful that no bristles are left on the grill grate. It is very rarte, but there have been choking incidents when bristles on the gratge got onto food and were ingested. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, click here.
Grill Bricks. These pomace stone bricks are great for cleaning wire cooking grates, especially the flat stainless grates on my charcoal grill. I do not use it on porcelain or cast iron grates. They are very fast, much faster than Grill Floss or Billy Bars, but they get only the tops. One package includes 12 bricks. Each brick will scrub about 100 grates before it wears out. They leave a bit of dust behind, so you need a wire brush to finish the job. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, click here.
Grill Wizard BBQ Brush. This device uses a woven stainless steel pad that does a great job or cleaning the grates. The scrubber can be removed and run through the diswasher. When the scrubber gets disgusting and starts falling apart you can buy replacements at the grocery store. And it does eventually begin to unravel. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, click here.
Billy Bar. This simple device does a great job of grate cleaning. Made with a wooden handle and nitride coated steel that the manufacturer claims will never rust, it is 23" long so you can use it on a hot grill without burning your hand. The angled tip makes it easier to get the sides and underneath. Click here to order: Billy Bar.
AmazingRibs.com is all about the Zen of Barbecue, cooking ribs, and all kinds of BBQ recipes and techniques: Baby back ribs, spare ribs, pulled pork, beef brisket, chicken, turkey, steak, lamb, barbecue sauces, rubs, side dishes, with the net's best buying guide to barbecue smokers and cookers.
About links on this site. The links within the tan areas at the top and right of these pages are paid ads. Within the white, editorial content areas on this site, links and recommendations are absolutely positively not advertisements or paid endorsements. They are products, services, and websites I admire. Your suggestions are always welcome. Click here to send them to me. If you would like me to link to your website, click here to read my links policy first. Most product photographs are provided by the manufacturer, all the rest a made by Meathead.
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If you have a Weber grill, you need the amazing Smokenator. It really works! List is $55, but it's less at Amazon.com.
, 
Amazing Ribs steins and aprons. Heft a cold one in this 22 ounce ceramic stein with gold trim. We have a range of mugs that say "BBQ God", "Jeet?", "Got Ribs?", "iRibs", "Eat Me", and more. Dishwasher and microwave safe. We have coffee mugs and clothing with these fun captions. 
Smokenator 1000. This is the most useful and clever tool for the backyard cook that I've seen this year. If you have a Weber Kettle grill, you need a Smokenator.
Weber Kettle Charcoal Rails. These are designed for banking coals into two piles on a Weber grill, but I use mine for something else entirely. I have a second bottom grate that I put on top of the rails, and the coals go on top of this elevated grate. That puts them at the perfect height for searing steaks, just below the cooking grates. Yes, if you're gooking red meats, the secret is a very hot fire, and raising the coals just a few inches makes a huge diff. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, 
E-Z Que Rotisseries. These are by far my favorite rotisseries and the best way to cook birds, hams, and roasts on a grill. The birds nestle nicely in the basket and the arm pins them down. It's easy to fit more than one bird in the basket. On my small Weber Genesis it is easy to get in three whole chickens. With the old-fashioned rotisserie units you had to use sharp forks to pierce the meat, and then you had to tie down the wings and drumsticks. More than once I stabbed myself with the forks. The motor has an on-off switch, something my old rotisserie lacked. E-Z Que makes several models and sizes, large ones for turkeys, hams, an other large cuts, attachments for the Weber Kettle, for gas grills, standalone units, and even whole hog roasters. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, 
A jumbo hybrid of tongs and spatulas, this is the proper tool for flipping fish, burgers, and other crumbly foods. Rosewood handle protects you against the heat, and there is a leather loop for hanging. They come with a lifetime warranty. I find them to be indespensible. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, 
BBQr's Delight Pellets. Are you a pellethead? I am. Pellets are made of compressed sawdust (here's an 
Reynolds Handi-Vac. Until this handi gizmo came on the market in 2008, vacuum sealing, the best way to freeze foods, meant the purchase of an expensive unit that took up valuable counter space and plugged into a wall socket. The Reynolds Handi-Vac is barely larger than a flashlight, operates on batteries. It uses zipper bags with a built-in valve. They are not cheap, but worth it because they keep their seal well and do a great job of preventing freezer burn and flavor preservation. They cost between 35¢ and $1, depending on the size of the bag and the quantity you buy. To see the current discount prices on Amazon, 
.
Grillslinger BBQ Tool Belt. Too cool. This is what you need when you don't have enough shelf space outdoors. Features a wide nylon belt with four deep reinforced side pockets that can each hold a number of large tools. Included is a starter set: a wide spatula, an all-purpose knife, and scalloped tongs, all with long, sturdy rubber-clad handles. When you're done, throw it in the washing machine. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, 
BBQ Guru. What a cool concept! "Shotgun" Fred Pirkle and his associates have invented a computerized thermostat connected to a blower and damper that manages the oxygen supply to your charcoal or wood fire, allowing you better temperature control. Fred says the BBQ Guru can be fitted to most cookers, from a humble Weber Kettle to a competition-grade pit. The computer can be set so the blower will be turned up high to get your coals started quickly and sear your meat as you start cooking, then it can be turned down for low and slow, then it can be turned down lower to hold the meat at your desired finished temp, and finally it can be turned off to kill the coals. You can set it so alarms ring when certain temps are reached or after an elapsed time period. There are several models and packages you can buy to fit your smoker. For example, one has a small fan and one temperature probe for the oven. Another has a second probe that can be inserted into the meat. Another configuration has a larger fan for larger pits, two probes, and a remote control. Unfortunately, deciding what you need is hard to determine from the website, so you will want to make a phone call and speak to a sales rep. 
Rock's Stoker. Introduced in 2006 to compete with the 
Bear Paws. These handy plastic paws are helpful for lifting large roasts and birds, but they really shine when you need to pull hot pork. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, 
OXO Good Grips Tongs. Rated #1 by Cooks Illustrated and winners of the Tylenol/Arthritis Foundation Design Award. Dishwasher safe stainless steel with OXO's popular nonslip rubber handles. The ends are scalloped for better gripping. There is a loop for hanging and a mechanism that locks them in closed position for storing (which has failed after several years on all three pairs that I have). Regardless, they are still my faves. I just store them with a cardboard toilet paper core over the ends. I use mine for everything from the grill to tossing salads. For discount pricing on the 12" tongs and direct ordering from Amazon.com, 
Bayou Classic 8.5 Quart Cast Iron Dutch Oven. This is the cast iron pot used for cowboy cooking. Sit it on top of coals and shovel more coals on top of the flat lid with a raised rim, and you can cook classic chili, baked beans, cornbread, cassaroles, and even cobblers. Indoors we use it for whole chickens, braising, and so much more. It is 13" wide x 7" high, and weighs 21 pounds. Includes perforated aluminum basket for steaming, frying, or boiling. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, 
Coleman InstaStart Butane Burner. If your grills didn't come with a side burner, here's how to make up for the deficiency. Butane burners like this get very hot very fast, and are great for keeping sauces warm or even for frying side dishes. My only complaint is that it doees not come with a carrying case. Note that the butane tanks do not come in the box and they are hard to find online or in hardware stores, but they are easy to find in Korean or other "Oriental" groceries where these burners are popular. Make sure you have a source for fuel before you buy one of these. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, 
Grill Grabber. Use a Grill Grabber to lift your hot and dirty grill grates, even if there's the food still on them. Us this gadget when you need to add coals, wood, water. water pans, or to rescue food that has dropped through the grates. This may seem like a frivolity, but it is a thoroughly useful tool. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, 
ZaGrill Pizza Cooker. These are great for pizza because the perforated pan sits on lega on two plates that dissipate the direct heat and deliver even heat and color to the crust. Or you can just use the perforated top part as a grill topper for grilling cubes of meat, veggies, and small shrimp. I only wish it was larger than 12". For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, 
Grill Island Accessories. Why not go all the way? Why not build an outdoor kitchen? Grill, smoker, burners, fridge, drawers, warming drawer, cabinets, tilt out trash can, and even the kitchen sink for starters. And let's get it all in stainless while we're at it! Don't quit your day job until it's paid for. For current pricing and direct ordering from GrillsDirect.com, 
Jaccard 15 Knife Meat Tenderizer. This is the tool you need if you are cooking tough but flavorful cuts like beef short ribs. It uses 15 stainless steel blades to slice through tough connective tissue and tenderizes without enzymes. This particular model is dishwasher safe and easy to clean because the blades can be removed. For current pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com 
KitchenAid Mezzaluna. This gizmo looks like another gadget to take up space in your drawer, but it is really handy. I use it often for mincing herbs. It is much easier to use for this task than a chef's knife. The KitchenAid model is the only one I have seen with a blade cover. There are cussting boards sold that are concave for use with a mezzaluna, but I have never seen the need for them. For current pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com 
Krups GX4100 Electric Coffee and Spice Grinder. Whole spices keep better than ground so buy stuff whole and get a coffee grinder for reducing peppecorns to crushed pepper, or for powdering celery seeds, anise, caraway, bay leaves, etc. Get one with a blade not burrs, and make sure it is easy to clean if you plan to use it for both coffee and spices ("Honey, why does the coffee make me cry today?"). For current pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com 
One of the keys to successful grilling is having clean grates. Alas, there is no single tool that does the job perfectly. Below are links to my favorite tools.
Grill Bricks. These pomace stone bricks are great for cleaning wire cooking grates, especially the flat stainless grates on my charcoal grill. I do not use it on porcelain or cast iron grates. They are very fast, much faster than Grill Floss or Billy Bars, but they get only the tops. One package includes 12 bricks. Each brick will scrub about 100 grates before it wears out. They leave a bit of dust behind, so you need a wire brush to finish the job. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, 
Grill Wizard BBQ Brush. This device uses a woven stainless steel pad that does a great job or cleaning the grates. The scrubber can be removed and run through the diswasher. When the scrubber gets disgusting and starts falling apart you can buy replacements at the grocery store. And it does eventually begin to unravel. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, 
Billy Bar. This simple device does a great job of grate cleaning. Made with a wooden handle and nitride coated steel that the manufacturer claims will never rust, it is 23" long so you can use it on a hot grill without burning your hand. The angled tip makes it easier to get the sides and underneath. Click here to order: 
