We all have at least one friend who loves to grill. They're always hosting parties and preparing tons of meat for their friends and family. They're always asking you if you want another snagger or a cold beer from the fridge. They're well-equipped with all of the gear and accessories, but they can never have enough. So, for their next birthday, you can make a nice contribution to their biggest hobby and gift them some practical barbeque accessories.

BBQ Cover

Your friend’s outdoor BBQ is constantly exposed to the elements. Even if it’s protected by a roof, it still faces humidity, winds, heat and temperature fluctuations. Plus, there are animals and insects that can damage it as well. So, one of the best gifts you can give your friend is a BBQ cover. This is one of the most practical BBQ grill accessories.

The number one thing to get right is the size. You surely know what’s the size of the grill and if it has any extra parts that need to be protected. The cover should fit the BBQ perfectly, nothing too tight or too loose. If it has extensions, it should cover them as well. If there are some empty spaces or holes, strong winds can rip it off.

Always look for a cover that is strong, long-lasting, and built from solid materials. Australia's weather can be severe at times, so getting a decent cover is essential. Canvas, polyester, and vinyl are the three primary materials. Vinyl may not be as durable as the other materials, but it is lightweight and simple to clean. Polyester is quite robust, but it might be a little heavier and more difficult to clean.

Weather-resistance is non-negotiable. This includes persisting against strong winds, high temperatures and harmful UV rays. Reinforced seams are a big plus. Elasticised hems and a waterproof coating layer can also help. There should be some kind of ventilation as well. If the air doesn’t circulate, the BBQ might get mould, mildew and even rust.

The cover shouldn’t be difficult to put on and take off. Buy it as simple as possible, with a simple closure system that includes a zipper or Velcro straps. If it’s too complicated your friend wouldn’t want to use it and it’ll just stay stored somewhere in the house. Choose a trusted brand, a reliable supplier that has many satisfied customers and good reviews. Your enthusiastic friend deserves only the best.

Thermometer

Every BBQ enthusiast has to have a thermometer. It's a very valuable accessory and your friend will be happy to have it. It can really make a difference between an overdone and a perfectly cooked piece of meat. No one wants to eat dry mean, certainly not any guests coming over. So, one of the best gifts you can get is the thermometer.

There are 3 types you can choose from, internal and ambient thermometer. The internal type measures the temperature inside the meat. There's a rod that gets inside the meat and it tells the exact temperature. The ambient one measures the temperature inside the cooking chamber. It's a good idea to get one of each so your buddy can have a nice sense of what’s going on with the meat.

As an experienced griller, your friend understands that the temperature is what decides the cooking time, not the time itself. So, with the right thermometer, your friend can cook anything. Thermometers have several sub-categories and they’re all made for different purposes. The instant read is for fast measuring of the meat’s surface.

The infrared one works on a point-and-shoot method. There’s no contact with the meat and it measures the meat’s surface. There's also a leave-in thermometer that you leave inside the meat. You can also find a mounted one that you mount on the hood and a dual-purpose one that is for both internal and ambient temperatures.

Flame Tamers

Flame tamers are one of the most practical BBQ grill accessories. You may not have heard of them, but your friend certainly has. They have several purposes, to spread the heat evenly, to reduce flare-ups and to prevent the food that’s cooking from getting burnt. The fire inside the grill creates uneven cooking surfaces and the tamers help the heat spread evenly.

They also prevent burns and provide a larger cooking surface. Furthermore, they stop food fluids from dripping and causing flare-ups. Both the cooking time and the temperature are under your control. You'll find several different types of tamers. The first one is the heat plate. It comes in many shapes and sizes and it’s made of stainless steel.

The second one is lava rocks. They’re porous because they’re actual, natural rocks. Because of their porous nature, they catch the drippings and make an even cooking surface. Their only downside is that they should be replaced once in a while. Ceramic briquettes are another option similar to lava rocks but they’re a bit more expensive.

Firestarter

No one wants to struggle to fire up the grill. Buying your friend a firestarter can be a game changer. They’ll get the grill going in no time. One of the most popular options is the charcoal chimney starter. It's very common, made of metal and has a cylindrical shape. It has holes at the bottom and grates at the top.

There's also the electric one that’s easy to use but it needs an electrical outlet. If you want to give them something small and compact, go for firestarters. These barbeque accessories are small and compact and your friend can carry them anywhere. They're usually made of either sawdust or cardboard.

Meat Shredders

Meat shredders, or bear claws are a very practical BBQ accessory that shreds the meat in perfect slices. Besides their original purpose, your friend can use them to pick, move, lift and carry the meat from one plate to another. If you decide to buy this gift, make sure the shredders are made of strong and durable materials such as heat-resistant silicone or stainless steel. Ergonomically designed handles can be helpful and sharp tips are a must.