Outdoor barbecues are a fun, popular way to mix up your favorite cooking techniques and create a delicious meal. If you enjoy grilling, whether you're new to it or not, consider using a few accessories to help you get the most out of your experience. Having the right tools will make the job much easier. Use these tools to make your outdoor cooking smooth and easy and take your grilling skills to the next level. If you've bought yourself a nice new charcoal bbq grill, you may be wondering what the essential grilling accessories are.

Barbecue thermometer
Whether you want to measure the temperature of your food or the cooking surface of your grill, a thermometer is arguably the most important tool a charcoal grill can have. A meat thermometer is essential as it is the only way to ensure that your food is safe to eat. When cooking meat or fish, it can be difficult to tell if your food is properly cooked and ready to eat. With a barbecue thermometer you can quickly and accurately test the temperature of steaks and other meats. Even slight temperature changes can make a huge difference. Avoid overcooked or undercooked meats, especially in those long cooking sessions. If your grill has a built-in lid thermometer, it can save you this extra expense.

Barbecue tongs
Tongs are essential for anyone who wants to cook on the grill and are likely to be the tool you use most often. A quality set of long-handled tongs can make a big difference when cooking on the grill, and they allow you to quickly handle any food that needs to be moved or turned. Consider having at least two sets of tongs for your grill so that you have them at your disposal. Look for tongs made of good quality stainless steel so you don't have to worry about the metal getting too hot and bending too easily.

Heat-resistant gloves
When working in hot environments, it is important to think ahead about safety. A good quality pair of heat resistant barbecue gloves is one of the best barbecue accessories you can buy and will go a long way to avoid burning your hands. When you are cooking for your family on the barbecue, it is easy to grip the handles of hot barbecue tools or cast iron pans. The heat-resistant gloves provide a non-slip grip while offering a high level of heat protection for your hands, wrists and forearms. So when you move the entire barbecue grill or you light the grill with the chimney starter, always use the appropriate protective gloves to ensure safety.

Chimney starter
Investing in a chimney starter is essential when it comes to charcoal bbq. A charcoal chimney will help you start your barbecue quicker and make the coals hotter without the need for any lighter fluid. This means there is no noticeable chemical smell or butane taste in your food and speeds up the cooking preparation time. Charcoal chimney lighters are very easy to light. You can fill the base of your charcoal chimney starter with newspaper or you can use a flammable material. One of the best parts of a chimney starter is that you end up with evenly heated charcoal. This means that your meat will also be cooked evenly and thoroughly.

Barbecue brushes
Cleaning the charcoal grill is as important as cooking. If your grill grates are dirty, you will not be able to produce quality food. Sticky substances left on the grill grate, such as caramel sauce and burnt food bits, will stick to the food and be difficult to release cleanly. Therefore, make sure you have a good quality barbecue brush that will help remove debris and clean the grill after each use. A good barbecue brush not only ensures that you don't have any residual sticky material left behind before burning, it also doesn't contaminate the flavor of the meat you've just used to cook. By sticking to this simple maintenance, you will find yourself needing to deep clean your grill a lot less often and it will stay in good condition for a lot longer.

Grill covers
If your bbq grill is located in an outdoor area without a cover, then the best accessory you can't afford to miss is a cover. Invest in a proper grill cover to protect it from the elements and keep it clean before use. Maintaining your equipment is an important part of ensuring it is safe to use, functions properly and is ready to go when you are ready to grill. If you want your grill to last, you need a grill cover that will protect your grill from rain and snow.

These six basic bbq charcoal shelf accessories are perfect for any griller, whether you are a professional or a beginner. Investing in some simple, quality barbecue accessories can save you a lot of time and hassle, and ultimately make your barbecue taste better.