Go-to Grill Gear (GGG)

This post is thanks to a text message I received as I was on my way out of the country:

Be. Still. My. Heart.

This is my favorite question because I know someone is about to embark upon the most wonderful journey of grilling discovery.

What influences my recommendations to such a question? I grew up with a family that grilled only occasionally— once a month or so in the summer and one or two more times the rest of the year. My Dad mostly tossed burgers and hot dogs on the grill and every now and again a special treat— steaks or Cornell chicken. His warhorse of choice was a Weber, which he had for 31 years before he had to part with it. He didn’t ask my permission before getting rid of it, I still think I could have refurbished the rusted vents and Lord knows I miss those wooden handles.

When I got my first job the apartment complex I lived in had these beat-up gas grills all over the place and I started grilling once a week with my bestest grill buddy. When I moved away for graduate school, I was gifted my first Weber kettle by my Dad and I haven’t gone back to gas since. I believe charcoal to be superior in every way. I now grill on average 2-3 times a week when I’m home.

Grill of choice

Subtle but wonderful enhancements on the original. The high-capacity ash catcher being my favorite tweak— it makes clean up a breeze compared to the ash-pan system of the original kettle. You’ll never want to grill less food— 22” > 18”.

Must have accessories

Boo lighter fluid. Yay Chimney Starter. If you’re coming from a gas grill this quintessential tool will make you rethink your feelings that “charcoal takes too long”. 15-20 minutes for most coal quantities and varieties.

Charcoal baskets

These make multi-zone fire set ups very easy.

Runner up: Vortex

The vortex makes some of the most deliciously crispy grilled chicken wings and a perfectly reverse-seared steak. The only draw back is I think it made the fire so hot in the center of the grill that it burned off my built up seasoning leading to advanced rusting in the center of my cooking grate. Cooking grates are cheap to replace, but I don’t like doing it more than once a year.

Gloves

Best grill gloves I have ever owned, and I give them as gifts all the damn time. Maybe it’s the branding— I’m a sucker for all things dragon. I did eventually burn through them after adjusting burning hot coals with my hands, but that’s something I never would have tried with any other glove.

Cooking grate cleaning tools

Great Scrape & GrillStone

I saw a picture of a guy with a metal grill brush wire lodged in his throat. I tossed my metal bristled brushes the same day and switched over to the Great Scrape and GrillStone. GreatScrape for daily/session maintenance, GrillStone for deeper cleans.

Fire starters

WoolyWood follows the more natural “tumbleweed” style. Weber cubes also get the job done.

Santé

John