Barbeque is a very popular method of cooking and preparing food. There are many regional variations and styles of barbeque cooking, with Korean and Mongolian BBQ being perhaps the most popular. Of course, there is also American BBQ cooking, which most often involves the application of BBQ sauce, a world-famous and delicious sauce that complements barbequed meat.
If you want to impress your friends or family with your skills on the grill, then you need to be prepared. Here are seven essential items that you need if you want to make a tasty BBQ meal at home:
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Offset Smoker
Smoking meat gives it a much nicer, smokier flavour. Ordinarily, when you barbeque meat, you grill it. Many of the world’s most delicious BBQ recipes call for an offset smoker to be used, however. According to the experts from Meadow Creek BBQ, many people avoid offset smokers because they don’t like the idea of having to add wood or charcoal every 45 to 60 minutes. Smoking imparts a nicer flavour and is more fun, so if you don’t mind adding wood or charcoal, then it’s definitely worth investing in one.
Standard Grill
If you aren’t thrilled about the idea of smoking your meat, then your only other option is to invest in a standard grill. The flavour you get from a smoker is far superior to grilling, but even so, grilling is still very delicious. If you are going to grill your meat, then try to invest in the best-quality grill that you can. Make sure that you conduct research into grill manufacturers, so that you can find one that’s perfect for you. If you don’t need a large grill, you can buy small, portable ones.
Cooking Equipment
In addition to your smoker or grill, you also need cooking equipment, such as:
- Tongs
- Grill fork
- Grill glove
- Spatula
- Apron
- Charcoal, gas, or wood
- Oil
- Aluminium foil
It is definitely best to invest in quality equipment, made from metal or wood. Plastic equipment will only degrade and deteriorate, not to mention it can actually melt if you pick up particularly hot items of food. Equipment made from metal or wood is more likely to last you a lifetime. If you are trying to show off to your family or friends by BBQing for them, then using cheap, rubbish equipment isn’t going to do the job. You need proper tools.
Proper Seasoning
Seasoning your meat is essential. Lots of people put their meat straight on the barbeque without seasoning it, but this just leads to dry, tasteless meat. The trick is to apply a dry rub. Cajun seasoning is very popular, although there are many other rubs that you can apply to your meat. Try to invest in an artisan-crafted rub, because they usually contain organic ingredients, and are much tastier. You can also make your own rubs if you have an extensive spice collection. Seasoning your meat makes it taste much better, so give it a go.
Drinks Bucket
In addition to the obvious tools, you should also have an iced bucket of drinks on standby for your friends and family to help themselves to. There is nothing that makes a barbeque quite as enjoyable as ice-cold drinks, especially beer. With that said, if the people attending your barbeque or young – or aren’t drinking – then you can just replace your bucket of beer with a bucket of sodas and juice. Make sure that the bucket’s filled to the top with ice, so that everybody’s drinks remain cool.
Condiments and Sauces
In addition to a drinks bucket, you also need to make sure that you have a large option of condiments and sauces. This is especially important if you aren’t going to season your meat beforehand. Condiments and sauces will ensure that your meat is flavourful, even if no seasoning was applied to begin with. BBQ sauce is, obviously, an absolute necessity if you are going to hold a barbeque. If you head to a wholesaler’s shop, you should be able to pick up trays of condiments and sauces for next to nothing. If you are going to offer fries as well, then make sure that you have salt and pepper on hand.
Paper Plates
At most barbeques, plastic plates are commonplace. However, governments are advising against the use of plastic plates. Instead, make sure that you offer your guests paper plates, which are more environmentally friendly. Plates and cutlery are very important things to offer your guests, otherwise, they will not be able to eat their food! You can’t just expect them to eat with their hands. Additionally, you might also want to offer your guests bread rolls. Bread rolls allow your guests to put burgers and sandwiches together.
Barbequing is a lot of fun, especially when your family or friends are there with you. Barbequing is also delicious! If you want to have a barbeque, then you need to make sure that you are prepared and have the right equipment.
