1. Begin by choosing the best type of BBQ grill for what you’ll be preparing. There are charcoal and electric grills, as well as those that use either propane or natural gas. You can buy barbeques in a variety of sizes, some of them portable and others permanently installed. Many have special features such as built in thermometers, removable drip pans, and side burners. Using a smoker for long term, slow cooking rather than a barbeque is a great option in many circumstances.

2. Learn about the advantages of using various BBQ sauces and rubs, as well as different kinds of wood chips. These are all great ways to improve the taste of your food, no matter what it is you’re cooking.

3. Pick up the barbeque tools you need to make preparation, cooking and clean up easy. The right kind of spatula can make flipping a burger seem effortless. A good thermometer can help you safely measure the internal temperature of the meat.

4. Next, take some time to prepare your meal the right way. There are two styles of BBQ, slow cooking or grilling, which is faster. Slow cooking in a smoker is best for cuts such as brisket. Slow cooking a hamburger will be a disaster. The cooking style should suit the ingredients.

5. Don’t spoil the enjoyment of your BBQ cookout by neglecting safety. Of course, BBQs are hot and there’s always the risk of burning yourself. However, it’s also possible to sustain an injury from your barbeque tools. Pay attention to what you’re doing as you use your tools. They’re larger than regular cooking utensils and can do some serious damage.

6. Insects are an annoyance that can get in the way of enjoying your BBQ. There are some easy solutions for keeping bugs away while you’re cooking. Spray them with a garden hose or use a hair dryer to blow them away. Even a simple fly swatter can keep bugs from ruining your party. Never use chemical laden insecticides near to where you’re cooking food.

7. When you’re all done, make cleanup easy by having the proper tools. Oven cleaner is very useful for cleaning up a messy grill. Some barbeques even have a number of features that make them easier to clean. Cleaning the grill every time you use it will improve the flavor of your food.

The final outcome is sometimes what matters most, and in this case it’s cleaning up the grill. Some grills can be a nightmare to clean but with the right tools it can be quite a bit easier.

A simple way to avoid excessive cleaning up is to not let things get messy to begin with. Disposable drip pans are a great way to accomplish that. They catch any grease or bits of meat and bun that fall through the grill and after cooling down you simply pull them out of the BBQ and toss them into the garbage.

If you can’t get disposable BBQ pans, at least choose a removable one. This will make the job easier since you can pull out the pan, spray it with oven cleaner and scrub it over a large sink. It’s much easier to use oven cleaner if you’re not trying to clean around numerous objects poking out everywhere. And if you don’t use oven cleaner directly on the grill, you don’t have to worry about rinsing it thoroughly to remove the residue. Otherwise your next meal could taste and smell pretty bad, and it might even be dangerous to your health.

A wire brush is a requirement for most BBQ clean up situations. A dual purpose style is your best choice. These products have a wire brush on one side and a metal scraper on the reverse. For scraping those hardened black bits off the grill, there’s just no substitute.

You can find all sorts of BBQ tools that make grilling more fun. For instance, shish kebab is a breeze using BBQ skewers, and they’re also useful for turning large cuts of meat. A good pair of BBQ tongs is another essential tool. By good, it means heat proof, fits well in your hand, and won’t slip around.

Another must have tool is a good pair of BBQ oven mitts. You’re bound to need them in order to avoid burning yourself on the hot grill or the metal tools you’re using. They’re really essential because of all the heat you’re coming in contact with.

You’ll probably find a wire BBQ basket handy from time to time, if you cook fish or want to be able to turn a slice of ham without using tongs. Choose a model that lets you cook veggies in a mesh basket with a handle so you can make your entire meal on the grill.

There are dozens of useful BBQ tools. But make certain you’re purchasing good quality products. That way they’ll end up in your hands, and not in the drawer collecting dust.