6 Grilling Equipment Necessary to Take You to the Next Level

Grilling is an activity that almost everyone enjoys. It is an excellent opportunity to socialize with friends, relax in the fresh air, and, more importantly – eat delicious food. It’s not just about eating, though. It’s also about the fun you can have while preparing a dish. So don’t be unprepared with the wrong or missing necessary grilling equipment.

And sure, making your first grilled steak or tender barbeque chicken might have been challenging. Simultaneously controlling the temperature and keeping an eye on the food can be a daunting task, even if you’re not a beginner. Still, with a little experience, everyone can eventually master the grill.

However, if you want to take your grilling to the next level, your skill may not be enough. You also need the right outdoor kitchen equipment. And to help you find it, we’ve prepared the following guide.

1. The First Grilling Equipment is Cast Iron Griddle

A cast iron griddle is an excellent investment that will significantly improve your outdoor cooking experience. Find a griddle with a long handle and a flat base. Preferably, it should come with a lid and an adjustable temperature regulator.

A cast iron griddle is perfect for pancakes, bacon, eggs, and toast. Sure, most of the things you do on a griddle can be done on a grill, but it’s the first one that offers a second to none control.

2. Digital Cooking Thermometer With a Probe

There is nothing as frustrating as overcooking and undercooking your food or not even knowing when to take it off the grill. Meat thermometers are a must for every grilling enthusiast and beginner alike. You need to know the internal temperature of your meat and the temperature of the grill. These are two crucial pieces of information that will allow you to prepare a perfect dish.

Professional-style thermometers with probes are a good choice because they will allow you to see what is happening inside your food without opening the grill and losing all the heat. Also, you can be sure that your meat is cooked through with no chance of it drying out.

3. Rotisserie Setup is the Perfect Grilling Equipment

A rotisserie setup is an inexpensive addition that will allow you to roast and smoke meat in a way that perfectly mimics an indoor oven. It is a great way to make smoked ribs, turkey or chicken wings, and other grilled items without using charcoal or propane gas. You can also use it to prepare slow-roasted vegetables or fried potatoes.

If you want to save some money, you can try building a rotisserie yourself. To do that, you will need some basic supplies such as dowels and nylon cable ties. And if you’re not sure how to build one, there are plenty of DIY projects online. 

4. Smoke Gun or Electric Smoker

Smoking meat is not the same as grilling it, but it has plenty of similarities, such as searing and seasoning. Unlike grilling, smoking uses charcoal or propane gas and takes much longer to prepare food. Still, it yields an excellent flavor and texture you cannot achieve using ordinary cooking methods.

The issue with them, though, is that they can be very challenging to use – especially if you’re a beginner. With that in mind, getting a traditional smoker with a chimney and firebox might not be the best idea.

Instead, go for a flexible smoker that you can connect to your grill. The best choices are electric smokers with adjustable temperatures and no open flame because they do not require constant monitoring and come with excellent safety features.

5. Large Charcoal Grill With a Cabinet

Large charcoal grills are perfect for large gatherings or big family feasts. In short, they are a fantastic choice for people who enjoy entertaining guests outside. You can be sure that your guests will appreciate a good meal prepared on a grill instead of having to sit around in the house while you prepare it.

Large charcoal grills come with a cabinet, which saves space and keeps your outdoor kitchen clean and organized. Many models also come equipped with a built-in thermometer that allows you to monitor the temperature without opening your grill’s cover.

6. Indoor Grill With Built-In Ignition System

Grilling inside is not as fun as grilling outside because you cannot enjoy the fresh air or watch the fire, not to mention the smoke and heat. However, if you want to enjoy a barbecue even in colder months, all you need to do is get yourself an indoor grill.

Indoor grills are very convenient because you can use them both indoors and outdoors. They are also great for people who live in apartments or have limited space outside, or simply do not feel like going out when it’s colder.

The Bottom Line for the Most Necessary Grilling Equipment

As you can see, there is a lot of equipment that will take your grilling to the next level. It is not just about that, though. Many of the given examples will simply make your outdoor (or indoor) cooking a much more enjoyable and convenient experience.

We highly recommend you buy at least a couple of items we mentioned. And if you already have them, there are many different articles you can read to broaden your horizons. The grilling season is just around the corner, and you don’t want it to catch you unprepared, do you?