Preparations for outdoor grilling

Question

As summer has finally arrived, I am planning for a picnic involving grilling. We have some parks around here, with the tiny grills on the ground. Can someone give me a list of things to bring in order to really grill some food ? Also, what are the usual meats/veggies for outdoor grilling ?

Answer 1

1. A decent grill. Yes, really. If your park has one of those crappy little close-to-the-ground ones (instead of the great giant cast-iron ones in the national parks) you're in for an afternoon of heartbreak and frustration as you try to grill on it.
2. Quality charcoal. Hardwood is more expensive, harder to light, slower to heat up but burns hotter and tastes good; briquettes are easy-lighting but don't add much to the food. Best results: half and half.
3. Handi-wipes to get the charcoal off your hands.
4. A "chimney"-style charcoal starter, and some newspaper to use in it. "Easy-lighting" charcoal isn't.
5. A "fireplace" lighter.
6. Long-handled metal tongs and a long-handled, wide, heavy metal spatula.
7. Oven mitts or thick leather gloves in case the handles aren't long enough.
8. Spray bottle full of tap water for putting out flare-ups, clothing, and hair.
9. Meat, fish, chicken, and/or vegetables, preferably some which have been marinated in a sauce or rub for a while (several hours for meat) beforehand.
10. Serving plates and eating plates and other picnicware. No, you can't put the cooked meat back on the dish the raw meat was marinating on.
11. Chips & dip or salsa for while everyone is waiting hours for you to get the charcoal going.
12. Bread and side-dishes to go with the barbecue, or more likely to be eaten instead while everyone waits for the meat to be done.
13. Headlamp flashlight for you to use while it's getting dark because the charcoal isn't ready yet and you can't see if the food is done or not.
14. Beer.

Answer 2

May I add a bit onto your list for serving that gawky vegetarian teenager that was dragged along?

Aluminum foil: wrap up some veggies or store-bought meat-analog and toss onto the slower end of grill. Not having a meal touch charred-flesh covered grill will earn you gratitude!

Soysauce: livens up any veg or starch and not necessary to read all the ingredients...

olive oil or Earth Balance or other good quality non-animal fat.

Wine bottle opener: beer is more traditional but what if I show up with a case of Brunello?