Summer is upon us, and you may already be planning some backyard get-togethers with friends and neighbors. After the last year in isolation, we’re all ready to get out and about and enjoy time with loved ones. And if you want to make this summer one to remember, you need an outdoor kitchen that’s fully decked out and ready to entertain. There are a few tools that can make your outdoor kitchen experience better than ever.
Read on to discover the best outdoor kitchen tools and backyard tools you can have this summer.
Barbeque Fork
When you get ready to break out your grill this summer, the first thing you’ll need is a barbeque fork. This utensil can be excellent for everything from flipping steaks to rolling skewers. You won’t have to worry about a particularly large ribeye breaking your spatula, and you can check doneness, all with one tool.
Your BBQ fork should have a handle that’s at least a foot long to keep your hands well away from the heat. You also want to look for an option with short, sturdy tines that can support everything from Portobello mushrooms to prime rib. Some barbeque forks even have extra spikes on the outside edges of their tines to help you flip food with just a flick of the wrist.
Long-Handled Tongs
While your barbeque fork is great for quickly spearing larger items, you may sometimes need a little more finesse while you’re grilling. This is where long-handled tongs come into play; they can handle smaller and more delicate foods without damaging them. They can also be useful for tasks like searing the edges of steak or getting hot dogs perfectly toasted.
Like your barbeque fork, you want to make sure your tongs have a handle long enough to keep your hands out of the flames. They should be strong enough to pick up a ribeye and delicate enough not to crush a zucchini or peach. And, of course, they’ll need to be made of a heat-resistant material that won’t melt or char when exposed to the flames.
Smart Thermometer
Keeping an eye on your food’s internal temperature is one of the keys to great outdoor cooking. A thermometer can help you to make sure chicken is cooked all the way through or cook steaks and burgers to the proper doneness. But knowing the temperature of your grill can also help to give you greater control and precision in your cooking.
If you’re going to invest in a thermometer for your outdoor kitchen, look for a smart one. These thermometers can connect to your phone and give you accurate readings from within an app. This allows you to keep the grill closed, which prevents huge temperature swings that can throw off your reading and interfere with your cooking.
Gloves
It may come as no surprise that gloves are one of the most important tools you can have when it comes to cooking outside. Tongs and barbeque forks are fantastic tools, but sometimes, you need to get your hands on what you’re working with. Whether you’re picking up a skewer off the grill or removing a hot grate, your hands should be protected.
Look for good heat-resistant gloves that fully cover your hands and wrists. Depending on how much you like to get into the mix, you may consider getting gloves that cover your forearms, too. They should fit your hands well and should be thick enough to protect you, but thin enough to allow you to maneuver.
Outdoor Prep Table
An outdoor prep table can help you take your patio cooking game to the next level. How many cookouts have you spent in the kitchen, chopping vegetables and seasoning meat while your guests wait for you to join them outside? How often have you dashed between the kitchen and the grill, trying to get everything ready while making sure your grill doesn’t overheat?
An outdoor prep table gives you a workspace right at the grill, making your cooking experience more enjoyable and efficient. You should look for a standing-height prep surface – about 36 inches high. And you should make sure that the top of the table is made of a material that is both tough enough to stand up to knife blades and durable enough to withstand all sorts of weather.
Rolling Cooler
You may think of a rolling cooler as something to bring to a tailgate party or a neighbor’s pool party. But having a tall rolling cooler around can help you prepare fresher, more delicious food. You can keep your cold items outside, rather than in the fridge, and, of course, keep a cold six-pack on hand.
While a small rolling cooler will serve the purpose, it’s a good idea to look for a rolling cooler that’s the same height as your outdoor prep table. This will allow you to access it without digging through a cooler on the ground. It also provides a more elegant feel for your kitchen and will be sure to impress guests.
Utensil Caddy
Once the food is prepped and cooked to perfection, it will be time to dig in. But do you really want to break the perfect vibe of the evening by having to excuse yourself to go dig enough clean forks out of the dishwasher for everyone to eat? No, you need a utensil caddy so your guests can dig in as soon as the food comes off the grill.
What kind of utensil caddy you select will depend in large part on your personal style and that of your house. It is a good idea to have slots for forks, spoons, table knives, and steak knives. You may also want to have a slot for napkins so your guests can wipe their mouths after their fabulous meal.
Discover the Best Outdoor Kitchen Tools
With summer in full swing, an outdoor kitchen can be a joy for entertaining family, friends, and neighbors. The tools we’ve discussed here can make your outdoor kitchen a more pleasant place to work. Make sure you do your research and figure out which specific tools will work best for your specific needs and preferences before you buy.
If you’d like to discover the best outdoor kitchen tools available, check out the rest of our site at The Yard Spot. We have the best outdoor equipment, power tools, and resources you need to make your back yard a true retreat. Check out our tools today and start living your best life outside.