Nine grilling gadgets for outdoor cooking

With the weather looking set to hold for the next few days (and hopefully months), we’re ready to show some love to our outdoor cooking area – no longer will the basic burger and tinfoiled corn of the cob sufficient, we’re ready to go all-out on our barbecues this summer.

So here’s our round-up of the barbecue accessories we’re considering investing in. Plus, one of these might make an excellent Father’s Day present (June 19), not to be pegging men into a smoky garden corner, but all items are very giftable.

If the idea of melted cheese dripping into your beautifully prepared charcoals makes you wince in greasy pain, then this could be for you. Essentially a neat freak’s guide to burgers, there’s a section to toast your buns (#sorrynotsorry), a contained burger area so it won’t leak burger juice into everything else, as well onion and pourable cheese sections. Did your mouth just starting watering at “pourable cheese” too? €69.95, Meadows & Byrne

If you’re planning a barbecue out in the wilderness, please step away for the disposable barbecue. Not only it is not particularly easy to dispose of (due to the white-hot heat it emanates for hours afterwards), it’s also very environmentally unfriendly. This portable Calor gas barbecue has integrated storage for its gas canister and pipes so you won’t lose the necessities, as well as a handy chopping board on top too. €169.99, Woodies

Forget trying to fit your grill into the kitchen sink or dishwasher. Let the flames do all the work and instead invest in a decent brush like this Landmann 3-in-1. Just ensure you brush it down after every use because let’s be real, you can’t bet on having “barbecue weather” for the entire summer (though a girl can dream). €2.99, The Orchard

If you like fresh, perfectly crispy pizzas but you don’t have room for a full-size pizza oven as well as your barbecue, this mini wood pellet pizza oven will sit happily on your garden table and can be packed neatly away after use. And if you don’t like pizza, well then I have nothing to say to you. €250, A Room Outside

If steaks are your jam, then you’ll need a grill press for the perfect sear and even cooking. Leave on the meat for about 30 seconds each side and its extra weight means it’ll do all the work for you. €75, Triggerfish

Be your own salt bae with this Himalayan salt block. Place on the grill and leave meat, fish and vegetables on top, for not only some wonderfully even seasoning but also a thorough cooking. Sounds like a bit of a fad? There are entire cooking books dedicated to cooking using these pink blocks, so don’t be so salty. Around €40, Amazon

A big grill requires a hardy, functional apron like one of Garvan De Bruir’s handmade leather catering apron. It’s wipeable, and won’t take a spark like a cotton one might. €175-€220, De Bruir

Perhaps you’ve already secured a pair of these, but if not, please stop struggling with a spatula and fork to try and flip your food. You’ll do more damage than just losing a few crumbly burgers and wayward pepper slices through the gaps. Anyone who has got a burn in the shape of an equal sign on their wrist knows what I’m talking about. €19.95, A Room Outside

Fresh fish blackened on the barbecue with a drizzle of lemon on top is simply heaven, but grilling flaky fish can be difficult, especially if you debone and remove the skin before cooking. Weber’s fish grill basket will keep everything together, while allowing the heat and smoky flavours to permeate. €29.95, The Orchard

Featured photo by El Chefo on Unsplash