1. Thermapen Cooking Thermometer

Of course you knew we would mention Thermapen, how could we not! The Thermapen is an essential BBQ tool helping you to achieve cooking perfection every time. No more risk of salmonella with the chicken wings, no more burnt sausages and definitely no more ‘really well done’ burgers. Both the Thermapen ONE and Classic accurately record the temperature in just one & 3 seconds, meaning you can work quickly and get your delicious and perfectly cooked food out to your guests. If you’re more serious about BBQ’ing this is also an essential for long slow cooks and more complex recipes such as brisket, ribs, pulled pork and burnt ends etc.

2. Chimney starter

This is a no brainer – the easiest way to light your charcoal quickly and efficiently. Simply pour your required amount of charcoal into the chimney starter, pop a firelighter or two underneath, light it up and watch the magic happen. A chimney starter makes lighting coals a much quicker process; once they are glowing hot, simply pour them out into the BBQ ready to cook.

3. Firelighters

Investing in some decent firelighters will save you a ton of time on the BBQ. We recommend using natural firelighters that have been dipped in paraffin wax. They provide a long lasting burn, with no chemical taint left in the food. Often made from natural, renewable, untreated wood shavings they are also a more eco-friendly version than some of the other options available.

4. Lumpwood charcoal/charcoal briquettes

Of course if you have a charcoal BBQ then you need some actual charcoal. There has always been a debate in the BBQ world as to which the best option is; lumpwood or briquette. Lumpwood charcoal is made by burning wood in the absence of oxygen; it is the purest form of charcoal. Lumpwood charcoal lights quickly, burns hot, and leaves very little ash. It is also more responsive to oxygen, making it easier to control the fire’s temperature if your grill has adjustable air vents.

Briquettes are manufactured wood by-products compressed with additives that help them light and burn consistently. They provide a very stable burn, maintain a steady temperature for a longer and are often much cheaper than lumpwood.

5. BBQ Tools

No BBQ is complete without the appropriate fighting irons. You can purchase a set of BBQ tools from almost anywhere these days and most will include the essentials; a wire brush for cleaning the grill, a pair of stainless steel tongs, a burger flipper and a meat fork.