Tongs a Review - Grilling Tools

Tongs a Review - Grilling Tools

OXO 16 inch Spring Loaded Tongs

Tongs are the tool I use the most when I BBQ.  I rarely use a Spatula or Fork.  It  is important to get good quality tongs that you are comfortable with.  I really enjoy My Oxo Good Grips 18 inch tongs.

They have a silicon grip so they do not get too hot,  They are Spring loaded so they are easy to use even with my mild arthritis in my hands.  I did recently acquire the below Bobby Flay Tongs on sale for about $6 originally 14.99.  They seem well made with wood grips and are about 16 inches long.  Sometimes you need 2 pair to avoid cross contamination of foods.  I like my 2 pair to look very different and while My U shapped tongs work the spring loaded ones seem to be much better for me.

Bobby Flay BBQ Locking Tongs

U shape Tongs Guy Fieri ones in the Middle

Above are some u shaped Tongs the ones in the Middle are Guy Fieri, I purchased these in a pinch at Walgreens.  They don't lock but they do have a clasp that holds them closed, of the 3 U shaped Tongs I own I like the Guy Fieri best.  They are much closer together then the other 2 pairs and don't require as much strength to hold closed.  They also seem to align better.  I don't personally see a reason to buy non spring loaded tongs ever again.  The other 2 pair were parts of sets and as the below review of grill tools states it is almost always better to buy each tool separately  then to purchase a set.

Comprehensive Review of BBQ Tongs

Tools for a Successful cook

My BBQ Tool Kit

Here are a few tools I need for a stress free cooking experience on my Traeger.  I know people cook amazing food with just tongs but I need a bit more.

Leave In Thermometer

I Griil 2 by Weber

A leave in Thermometer because as they say if you are looking you are not cooking.  I currently useI Grill II  by Weber.  It works well for me and tells me the temperature of my grill as well as what I am cooking.  I do have all 4 probes.  I have used 3 probes for food and one for the Traeger. The Igrill sends the results directly to my android smartphone via Bluetooth.  They also have an App that works with the Iphone.  I was extremely impressed with Weber's customer service, they sent me a replacement probe at no cost when mine broke.


Another great feature of the Igrill is that it creates Graphs so you can see your Temperature swings

I also have a Maverick ET-732 remote BBQ Thermometer which I was not impresed with.

Some people seem to like the Tapeccue Wifi Thermometer.  There are a few other wi fi thermometers including 1 by thermoworks.

Instant read Thermometer 

Thermapen and Thermopop by thermoworks

When it comes to an Instant read Thermometers  nothing beats thermaworks.  I have a Thernapen and Thermopop they both work well the Thermapen is more accurate and faster, The thermopop is slower and a lttle less accurate.  Buy the best one you can afford between these 2.  Last time I looked there were multiple versions of the Thermapen the classic and the MK4. are the same when it comes to accuracy and speed the MK4 has more features.  Buy the best one you can afford between these 3.  

It looks like the newer Thermopops are even faster.  If you already have a Thermometer and just want an upgrade if you sign up for the Thermoworks newsletter they have sales often.  Sometimes they sell open box stuff at a discount but you get the same warranty ason a brand new one.

Thermoworks has great customer service.  For most things on the Traeger I agree its a matter of personnel test, but when it comes to an instant read thermometer I say get a thermoworks you will be happy you did.

                             

Tongs

Tongs, I have multiple sets of Tongs but my go to set is my 18 inch OXO.  Sometimes you need to use 1 set for raw chicken and another for cooked food.

Oxo Tongs

My Toolbox 

My Toolbox, Yes I actually have a toolbox which holds most of my grilling tools and supplies.  It is a Stanley flat max waterproof toolbox.  I have My Tongs, Spatulas, Grilling Gloves, Thermometers, Hand sanitizer, bleach wipes and even spices in my Fat Max.  It makes it easy to have everything all in one place.

I no longer store my spices in my toolbox they cake up.

Toolbox

Toolbox

Grill Tools

Some of My Spices and Rubs

Wet Dry Shop Vac

A wet Dry Shop vac is a must have tool to clean out your Firebox of excess ash.  I usually clean the Firebox when I replace the Foil on the Drip pan every 4 to 6 cooks.  Unless I do long cooks like Pork Shoulder then sometimes before and after the cook.  The brand doesn't seem to matter as long as it has enough HP to do the Job.

wet dry shop vac



Here are more posts about Tools I use
http://traegerrecipesbymike.blogspot.com/search/label/Grilling%20Tools?m=0