Top 10 Worst and Best BBQ Accessories

[Bkhuna]

Haven't we laughed enough about the Rib-O-Later and the people that bought them, like me?

[fzxdoc]

If I didn't have myself to laugh at, my life would be much more boring. Nice to know I'm in good company, even though I didn't buy the rib-o-later. Someone gave one to me. 🤷🏻♀️ It's currently for sale at the local thrift shop.

K.

[Lynn Dollar]

When it comes to grilling, I like my SnS and Grill Grates.

I fill up the SnS with fully lit coals. That gets them right under the cooking grate, very close to the meats. That's an extremely hot fire.

But being that close to the meats, it creates another problem with flare ups, especially if I'm grilling some highly fatty meats like ribeye or flanken cut beef ribs, etc. That's where the Grill Grates come in, they can keep flare ups from reaching the meats, most of the time.

When reverse searing a ribeye, I start with 6 B&B briquettes in the SnS. I light them with my weed burner torch. The SnS helps keep a small number of briqs together and get fully lit. I then add a chunk of pecan. I try to run my Kettle at about 225*, which gives a lot of time to put smoke on the ribeye.

Grill Grates do make nice grill marks, but I'm not much into appearance.

[fzxdoc]

I do pretty much like you do, Lynn Dollar , when I use the WSCGC in kettle mode or my 22" kettle, except I don't have a weed burner torch, much to my husband's relief.

We love thick steaks reverse-seared on the kettle, especially if we're in the mood for smokey beef. The GGs flipped flat side up over the hot coals makes a great searing station.

I like grill marks on chicken, especially boneless skinless pieces, because the marinade doesn't burn except in strips while the rest of the piece gets nicely done. I frequently use Indian or Middle Eastern-spiced yogurt-based marinades, which are thick and very flavorful and benefit from cooking on the grate side instead of the flat side.

Kathryn

[Lynn Dollar]

I've found the weed burner to be the quickest way to get a small number of coals lit. Its odd that a few coals can be harder than a whole chimney.

I've not flipped the GrillGrates over, I will have to give that a go.

[ecowper]

I can get to 900+ degrees on the Hasty Bake with grill grates ..... heck yeah!

[ecowper]

Looking at his top 10 hard pass accessories

1. Grill Grates - I have a set for the Hasty Bake and there are two major upsides to them. First, I can get them to about 900F and that is well into steakhouse commercial cooking territory. Second, I use them flat side up, not grate side up, so I get monster crust across the whole steak, hamburger, etc. And I use them to do campfire style breakfast with French toast, bacon, and sausage. I say they are great if you know what you are using them for.
2. Cold smoke generator - no idea, never tried one
3. Dry age bags - I've been tempted several times, but never have gone there. I like the dry brine outcome anyhow.
4. Thermoworks RFX - Not tempted after my Meater experience
5. Specialty rotating rib racks - Cannot even imagine trying these things personally
6. Digital Dome Gauges - Didn't even know these existed, but no need. Fireboard thank you
7. Discount small lump charcoal - boy, most lump charcoal is just not great in my experience. If you want good lump, you gotta spend for it and buy good quality brands. So, check mark agreeing with him
8. Wagyu beef tallow - another one I've not been tempted by
9. Meat claws - hey now! I love mine ... primarily for moving big hunks of meat easily, especially turkey and pork shoulder. So, disagree here
10. CGS Spider thing - This is so specific to BGE that I have no input here.

So, his top 10 nay items here's my score ..... Disagree on 2, Agree on 5, No Opinion on 3 .... not too bad, I guess

[DavidNorcross]

Agree with you on just about all. Can’t speak to the RFX but there are a ton of folks who like it.

I use the The Good Charcoal lump from Sam’s. It’s less expensive but it sure burns clean.

Thirdly, it sure is good to see you posting regularly again. You were missed.

[ecowper]

Thanks DavidNorcross ….. had some significant personal life issues that kept me away for a while, but I’m back!!!

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

I personally think BBQ claws are a godsend. Yes, I actually prefer shredding pulled pork or beef with gloves... But, picking something off the grill, moving it around while you slice it, etc... hard to beat a pair of BBQ claws. For quick tasks, they beat throwing on a pair of gloves or washing something like tongs. The key is to find ones that are solid. Some of the plastic ones have perforations or whatever to save on material costs, some of the metal ones have V shaped claws... those are a pain in the ass to clean and defeat my use case.

If your protein is too hot to handle (even with gloves) the claws do a good job at shredding and pulling compared to 2 forks. I just prefer caveman style.

[ecowper]

Every time I smoke a big turkey I thank goodness I spent $10 on the Claws :-)

[radiodome21]

I have both a Meater and RFX. I like the Meater but love the RFX. I used it on Thanksgiving in conjunction with a wired thermometer too. Normally I would have used the Meater but the battery was dead. Also love GG. No more veggies slipping through and they’re great when I grill my chicken thighs on them when I’m making my lunches ahead of time. I prefer then flat side up too. I’ve probably wasted more money on cheaper instant thermometers than just buying a Thermapen, which I eventually did. It was worth every penny and should’ve bought it from the beginning b

[ecowper]

That’s my issue with the Meater …. Using a dang AAA battery and every time I wanted to use it, it was dead.

[bbq_esq]

I got my GrillGrates to extend the life of my Char-Broil gasser, which they definitely did, but I found the griddle side way more useful. I am going to replace the whole thing with an actual griddle (I think 9 years from a Lowes gasser is pretty good lol), maybe someone wants the GrillGrates but I'm not spending any more time cleaning them.

[Alan Brice]

What would you like for your GG? Plus shipping.

[ecowper]

This morning I watched the other half ... the 10 Best Accessories ... and wrote up my own thinking

1. High heat gloves - yes, must have …. I currently have a pair of Grill Armor gloves and they are great. Can take CS out of the oven, pick up coals and move them, etc
2. Meater - I genuinely dislike Meater because of the AAA batteries. Sticking to Fireboard 2 with wires
3. Drip EZ Gear - looks interesting, no experience. Might
4. ChefsTemp X10 thermometer - an instant read thermometer is a must, but I’ve got two Thermapens and I consider them the gold standard. I really don’t need to turn my WSM into an automated WIFI grill, so that’s out
5. GrillGun - looks fun, never tried it. Have used just a standard propane torch at times and they work well
6. Pepper Cannon - I’ve kinda wanted one of these for years, but never got one. Maybe I should
7. Dalstrong knives - I’m very invested into Wusthof, but I can see the value of Dalstrong. And they are good looking!
8. Kick Ash - can, basket, drip pans ….. if I had a Kamado, I would want these.
9. His Digital Guides - pretty cool if you are a Kamado person
10. BGE Expander Rack - I have a similar rack for the SnS Kettle and really like it. For a BGE, this seems great

So, on his top 10 side .... two are 100% yes, one is 100% no, the other 7 are "I see the value" or "Have not tried" or "If I had a Kamado" ...... On a side note - this is the first time I've ever seen this guy and I can kinda see why. Even though he communicates well and knows what he's doing, he just irritates me. I'll take BabyBack Maniac or T-Roy Cooks please :-)

[ecowper]

LegoMySearwood SnS makes one. You can get a rack of ribs on it. I can then get 3 racks of ribs on the kettle with the SnS insert

[LegoMySearwood]

So increase capacity a little.

[ecowper]

yes, increase capacity a bit. Used it a couple weeks ago to get a chicken started when the rack of ribs was a few hours in. DIdn't have to fire up a second cooker, that was pretty slick.