Roast season is just around the corner and the way things are, there is no better excuse to get out in your backyard and enjoy the good weather safely.
We spoke with Peter Agostinelli, executive chef at Grill 23 & Bar in Boston, and Los Angeles-based cookbook author and chef Gaby Dalkin, about his must-have tools for a perfect grill experience and how to use them to make them worthy of admiration. Below you will find the selections recommended by these experts to make the most of your grill this season.
Agostinelli, who oversees the cooking of hundreds of steaks per night, says: "Let your meats reach room temperature and salt them about 10 to 15 minutes before you want to cook them. The salt will dissolve and almost create a brine on the outside of the meat. "
Dalkin, a longtime grill enthusiast, says what you should have on hand while cooking is "a truly amazing marinade or vinaigrette that you can use to marinate food, like my basil vinaigrette recipe."
Lea & Perrins Original Worcestershire Sauce ($ 4.48, amazon.com)
Agostinelli prefers a classic: “Worcestershire sauce is probably my secret ingredient” when roasting, but “I also love it in vegetables. Like a little olive oil, salt and pepper, a pinch of Worcestershire almost anything is going to be good. ”
And he is super selective: "However, it has to be Lea and Perrins."
Tweezers
Both chefs agree that roasting tongs are key to cooking outdoors. As Dalkin explains, "You need something that can reach that food on the back of the grill without singeing your hands and arms."
Gir Grill Tongs ($ 19.95; amazon.com)
These 16-inch tongs from beloved Gir kitchen brand are perfect for working on a hot grill due to their easy lock-unlock feature, according to these chefs. The extra length ensures that your hand doesn't get too close to the fire.
Grille Perfect Tilling Tongs Heavy Duty 16-Inch ($ 18.98; amazon.com)
With a silicone handle, a great grip on one side and a smaller grip on the other, these heavy-duty tongs will allow you to get to the back of the grill with no problems (no burns).
Instant read thermometer
Both chefs also put an instant-read thermometer on their must-do lists, as it can quickly tell you the temperature of the meat, ensuring that the food you're eating and serving is safe and perfectly cooked.
Taylor Commercial Waterproof Instant Read Thermometer ($ 10.29; amazon.com)
You won't have to worry about undercooked or overcooked meats with this instant-read thermometer, which has an antimicrobial casing to prevent the growth of bacteria, an important feature for professional and home cooks.
Oxo Thermocouple Thermometer ($ 99.99; amazon.com)
This professional-grade thermometer indicates the temperature with a precision of 0.9 degrees and has a rotating probe to allow access to all meat cooking areas, making it a kitchen staple for these chefs.
Charcoal starter
This tool is "absolutely mandatory if you have a charcoal grill," says Dalkin. "Not only is it the fact that your backyard could catch fire if you don't use one, you need one to heat the coals well before scattering them on the grill and adding meat."
According to our chefs, charcoal burns hotter and drier than propane, producing a better roast and a tastier seared meat.
Fireplace Grill Home ($ 14.99; amazon.com)
This 5-pound starter features a wooden handle and a heat shield to protect your hands from the heat.
Folding Stainless Steel Fireplace Starter ($ 26.19; amazon.com)
We love this one for one simple reason: it folds up. If you are tight on space and want a reliable start for your charcoal grill, this is the one for you.
Fish spatula
Lamson Fish Turner With Walnut Handle ($ 24.95; amazon.com)
Agostinelli, showing his New England roots, says having a fish spatula on hand for an excellent grill is important, and recommends this tool from Lamson, saying, “It's nice and sharp. Generally, you can grill salmon skin very well with it. ”
Oxo Fish Turner ($ 12.99; amazon.com)
Another option is this classic fish flipper with beveled edges for easy turning.
For your vegetables
Grilling is not just about focusing on meat and fish. Crispy and smoked roasted vegetables can really stand out when cooked properly.
Reynolds Wrap Heavy Duty Nonstick (From $ 4.89; amazon.com)
Agostinelli has an easy (and inexpensive) trick for cooking grilled vegetables. "I really like to make an aluminum package," he says. “And you can do this with corn on the cob or sliced potatoes and onions and herbs. You want to put three or four layers of aluminum foil on it. And then I like to bury them in the coals and let them do well in the coals while I'm roasting on top. "
Nordic Ware Nonstick Roasting Basket ($ 30; amazon.com)
Another way to dump a bunch of veggies on the grill comes from Dalkin, who says this grill basket is one of his favorite tools to use every day in the summer. "Load it up with all your favorite veggies and put it on the grill for that amazing toast throughout," she says. "Just be sure to move things around every few minutes for even cooking."
Stainless Steel Skewers, 12-Pack ($ 18.99; amazon.com)
When it comes to grilling vegetables, Dalkin is very excited about a tool. "Don't bother with wooden skewers; they are too easy to burn, ”he says. "Having a great set of metal skewers means you can make kebabs all the time and reuse them daily."
steakhouses
George Foreman 15-Serving Indoor / Outdoor Electric Grill ($ 89.99; amazon.com)
Thin, light, and completely portable, this is a grill you can use indoors or outdoors once the weather is nice enough.
Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill, 22-inch ($ 165; amazon.com)
Basic but powerful, this charcoal grill can cook up to 13 burgers at once.
Dyna-Glo 3-Burner Open Car Propane Gas Grill ($ 119; amazon.com)
Gas is faster, and this three-burner grill has two shelves and porcelain surfaces that are very easy to clean.
Note: The above prices reflect the price at the time of article posting.