BBQ Tools preference


 
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Rob B.

Rob B.

TVWBB Pro
I'm going to get some real BBQing tools this week, and was looking at Amazon's selection. Two sets in my price range caught my eye(s), and I was wondering if any here had comments on them. They are the Sabatier 11 piece set (spatula, grill brush, tongs, fork and 7 skewers), or the Weber 18500 Traditional 3 piece set. Both are stainless steel. The Sabatier originally listed for $120 (LOL!) and is now $19.99. The Weber is $34.99. Anyone have experience with either? Or want to suggest a different set? Thanks ...
 
Personally I'm not a fan of sets of tools. As far as I'm concerned a good pair of 16" locking tongs, a long handled spatula and insulated gloves to carry and move meat around the pit.

I would suggest going to a restaurant supply store and looking over what they have. The tools they will have should be of better quality and may even be cheaper.
 
Rob....

I have to agree with Bruce. What a couple of killjoys, eh? LOL

I am actually surprised by how little I use most of the tools I have accumulated. I will stick to low and slow cooking here, NOT grilling gear.

Here it is.....

Gloves are at the top of list. I use the Grilla Gear stuff...very affordable and very good protection.

Then tongs. Long handled and VERY sturdy. I have an OXO for this chore and it is the best one I have used.

If you cook for crowds, a mop is nice to have. You can make a little "show" of your applying the mop and sauce...it just LOOKS impressive! LOL I bought one at the restaurant store and use it both for applying my mops and also for saucing. A tip....before applying mop, soak your mop in warm water and then ring it out.

An alternative to a mop are the cheap paint brushes at the hardware stores. They cost about a buck and are really great to use for a couple racks of ribs. I once bought a fancy set like you are looking at that included a basting brush. Used it at a competition...Michigan I think...and was amazed......and PO'd.......how the bristles started coming off! That never happened with my paint brushes! LOL

That's about it. Since you don't have to buy too many, pay a little more and get good quality stuff.

Have fun!
 
Bruce and Kevin called it right....tongs, spatula, gloves....that's it Man!

The cheap brushes rule too....
 
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You will always be happy to have quality tools try the local restaurant supply or http://www.centralrestaurant.com/
I like a long tong for WSM fire tending a a short one piece tongs with plastic coating for food handling. IMO the Sani-Safe Cake Turner
by Dexter Russell is the one must have one (and two is better) tool for me. Buy the best high temp gloves you can find at a welding store consumer grade fire gloves can be lacking.
~Konrad
 
I bought Char-Broil "The Edge" at Sears, and I love them. They are very sturdy, and have handled any hunk of meat I throw at them...The set came with a pair of tongs, a hamburger flipper, a huge fork, and a natural bristle brush. I believe you can check out Char-Broil's web site and check them out there...Good luck

BigIr
 
barbecuesteakhook-13in.jpg

I'm surprised how few people use a steak hook. I couldnt get by without it. Great for getting briskets and butts moved around. They aren't much use when the meat is close to done, but when the meat is still firm it's great. I have one for moving meat and a home made version that I use to shake my charcoal basket and stir coals.

Rich
 
For gloves, try a welding supply store. I use a pair of welding gloves which offer a lot of protection and are relatively inexpensive.

I'll second shopping at a restaurant supply store. If it's good enough for the industry, it's good enough for me.
 
I would love to hear more opinions on these steak hooks. I would think that they would pierce meat letting that precious juice drain out and dry whatever you are cooking with them?
 
Tom
A piece of meat is made up of individual cells and you can only release juice from the cells you puncture. Steak hooks well but so does a pair of tongs.
Jim
 
Thanks Jim, I've heard people say never pierce your meat or use anything that does but I didn't know what to think. And at that it was referring to grilling. I've seen em but never used one didn't know what to think.
 
Gloves: my favorite gloves for hoisting meats around in the smoker are Wells Lamont PVC coated work gloves. Waterproof, greaseproof, heatproof, only $3.99 at K-mart, and they worked great even for reaching down into the WSM and flipping a brisket on the bottom rack. I took a picture of 'em for another gentleman after this weekend's cook. Here's what they look like:

http://www.gbronline.com/kcathey/bbq/gloves1.jpg
http://www.gbronline.com/kcathey/bbq/gloves2.jpg


Tools: I have that Sabatier set that you were looking at. The tools are monster-sized and VERY sturdy. I admit that I have used only the tongs and the grill brush from the set, but those were worth the $19.99 price. Go to the top picture on this page ( http://www.gbronline.com/kcathey/bbq/051703.htm ), and look on top of the charcoal chimney; you can see the relative size of the tongs. (The Polder is stuck to the them...) These tongs, with the tooth-edges made as they are, are great for grabbing coals and moving them around.

Regards from OK,
Keri Cathey
Smokin' on Tulsa Time
 
Rob,

I purchased the 21 pc. set in the aluminum case from Amazon (free shipping,whoo-hoo!)and have been very pleased with it. As far as the quality of the tools, I give it a 7 out of 10.
I like the case because I'm obsessive/compulsive and here on Long Island our BBQ season has it's limits. On the first acceptable warm day I hate having to tear the house apart looking for my tools. We also like to throw our equipment on the boat and head to Great Gun (a beach accessable only by boat or 4 wheeling)and again the case is a convience. Mind you, I am talking about grilling and have just ordered my WSM this week, so my experience with the WSM is nil, but I like having a fork and spatula to remove large pieces of meat off the grill. The set also comes with a salt and pepper shaker with a storage lid, that I use for dry rub spices of fine consistancy.
The set is also a plus for those who compete away from home. At $89.00, I found it no bargain, but acceptable for what I needed.
 
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