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As the days get longer and the patio chairs come out of storage, grilling season is officially underway! The smell of burgers, steaks, veggies, and cedar-planked salmon fills the air…there’s nothing quite like spending a day grilling in the backyard.
Before firing things up, it’s worth taking a bit of time to ensure your grill, tools, and cooking setup are ready to go. A proper backyard BBQ starter kit is essential for safety, and to help you grill your food evenly and with more flavour! Avoid the common headaches that come from neglected equipment, and start the summer season off right!
Shepherd’s Hardware in Armstrong, BC has been helping local homeowners, gardeners, builders, and backyard grill masters for over 100 years. Whether you’re brand new to BBQ cooking or just cleaning things up after the winter season, we have everything you need to make this summer a success. Visit us in-store today.
Winter is tough on all of us, and your barbecue is no exception. If it’s been sitting idle through the winter, you’ll want to give it a proper inspection before your first big cook. Grease, dust, ash, insects, and old food debris can all affect how your grill performs. In some cases, they can also create safety risks.
You can start by removing any old ash, charcoal, and debris from the bottom of the grill. If you use a charcoal grill, old ash will hold moisture and affect your airflow, making it harder to control the heat. For gas grills, any debris around the burners can interfere with ignition and heat distribution.
Next, scrub the cooking grates (everyone’s favourite job). A clean grate helps prevent food sticking to it. It also improves sear marks, and keeps last season’s residue from affecting the taste of your food. Remove the grates if possible to scrape off buildup, and wash them with warm, soapy water if they need a deeper clean.
You should also check the burners, vents, and gas hoses. Make sure burner ports are clear and that vents are not blocked by dust, grease, or insects. For propane grills, inspect the hose for cracks, wear, or leaks before lighting.
***A simple leak check with soapy water around the connection points can help spot problems: if bubbles form when the gas is on, shut things off and address the leak before using the grill.***
Finally, empty and clean your grease tray or drip pan. This is an easy one to forget, but it’s extremely important. Built-up grease can affect the evenness of your cooking and cause unwanted smoke or flare ups. A clean grease tray helps things run safer and taste better!
Got your grill clean and ready? It’s time to look at your tools. The best backyard BBQ starter kit starts with a few select tools sure to come in handy as the season rolls along.
For better control over hot grates and open flames, you’ll want a good set of long-handled tongs and a sturdy spatula. The extra length helps keep your hands away from heat, while quality stainless steel construction makes flipping, turning, and moving food much easier.
An instant-read thermometer might be the most important BBQ tool you can own! It takes the guesswork out of grilling and helps you cook meat to a safe internal temperature without overcooking it. There’s many options on the market; rapid-read models, such as Thermapen-style thermometers, are especially useful because they give quick, accurate readings while your food is still on the grill.
Keeping your grates clean between cooks is essential, but not all grill brushes are the same. Bristle-free grill brushes are a smart option because they reduce the risk of stray wire bristles ending up on the cooking surface. Look for a durable scraper or bristle-free cleaning tool that can handle regular use.
A heavy-duty cutting board gives you a stable surface for trimming, seasoning, and resting meats. A sharp fillet knife is also useful for fish, poultry, and other prep work where a clean cut makes all the difference.
Ready to fire up the grill? Visit Shepherd’s Hardware in Armstrong today to stock up on your BBQ essentials and get expert advice from our team!
You have the basics covered? A few smart upgrades can open up a whole new world of backyard BBQ cooking! Try exploring these options.
A cast iron griddle turns your barbecue into a flat-top cooking station. It is perfect for smash burgers, bacon, eggs, grilled sandwiches, onions, peppers, and anything else that benefits from a hot, even surface. Cast iron also holds heat well, so it’s an excellent piece of equipment for deep searing.
Wood is one of the easiest ways to add more flavour to your grilling. Wood chips are great for quick smoke, while wood chunks tend to last longer and are better for extended cooking. Depending on the wood you choose, you can add mild, sweet, bold, or rich smoky notes to meat, fish, and vegetables.
Grilling baskets are ideal for foods that are too small or delicate to place directly on the grates. Think fish, shrimp, asparagus, mushrooms, sliced peppers, or small potatoes. They make it easier to toss and turn ingredients without losing half of them through the grill.
Make This Your Best Grilling Season Yet
A great BBQ season starts with the right preparation. This backyard BBQ season starter kit can serve as a reference guide as you get things ready! Clean your grill, check your equipment, replace worn-out tools, and add a few upgrades to make outdoor cooking more enjoyable.
Ready to fire up the grill and make new memories with friends and family? Visit Shepherd’s Hardware in Armstrong today to stock up on your BBQ essentials and get expert advice from our team. Let’s make this grilling season your best one yet!
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