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Barbecue Stuff Worth Having

Kathleen Purvis The Charlotte Observer

Admit it. Part of the fun of grilling is the stuff - all those racks and skewers and baskets. But be careful; There’s a lot of junk out there. Here are our picks for the stuff worth having. (And we apologize for leaning toward charcoal grilling. If you have gas, you’ve already got a big gadget to play with.)

Charcoal chimney: Hands down, this is the one gadget that has pleased us the most. Fill the top chamber with charcoal, stuff a couple of sheets of newspaper in the bottom and light them. Twenty minutes later, you dump out the glowing coals. It works so well, there’s no need for fluid - unless you’re like cookbook author Chris Schlesinger, who says: “I just like a big fireball.” Price: Around $15.

Vegetable grilling grid: These really do make it easier to cook small things like shrimp. Get one with a detachable handle or no handle, so you can close the grill lid. It should have one raised edge, to push a spatula against. Price: Less than $10.

Grilling rack: You know the one - the box-shaped rack, sometimes called a fish griller. Forget the fancy fish-shaped one and the ones with slots for kebabs. Keep it simple. A detachable handle is nice, and the lid should be adjustable. Price: $15 for the simplest; $20-$24 with detachable handle.

Long-handled lighters: What a great idea. Skip the fancy ones; get yourself an Aim N Flame at any supermarket. Price: $3-$4.

Long tongs: The longer, the better. Make sure they have heat-proof handles, preferably spring-loaded. Price: $10.

Grilling glove: Again, the longer, the better. An ordinary oven mitt won’t cut it. Look for heat-resistant. Price: $6 to $15.

Nonstick cooking spray: OK, technically it’s not grilling equipment. But it makes cleanup so much easier, we wouldn’t step outside without it. Price: About $3.

Grill brush: Skip the ones that look like scrubbing pads. For our money, the kind with the wire brush and a metal scraper on one end is the best. If you have a gas grill, don’t use a wire brush on a porcelain cooking surface; it can scratch. Price: Less than $10.