There’s something primal about barbecuing. Imagine a bunch of cavemen standing around a fire pit: “Man like meat medium rare!” one remarks, pointing to the woolly mammoth roasting on a spit.

Then as now, the social aspects of barbecuing can deliver significant health benefits, but these days, guy-pleasing grilled dishes extend beyond red meat to include salmon with roasted veggies & peanut sauce and grilled chicken with potatoes and corn on the cob.

As well as being the founder of Chefs for Oceans, Chef Ned Bell is extremely handy around the grill. Using the right equipment, he says, is essential for top-notch BBQ. Anything less, he adds, is prehistoric! Here are six of his go-to tools:

BBQ with a spatula

1. Spatula

More robust and heat-resistant than their kitchen counterparts, BBQ spatulas are ideal for flipping salmon steaks or turkey burgers that have a tendency to stick to the grill.

Grilling mushrooms on the bbq with tongs

2. Tongs

Essential for transporting just about anything to and from the grill, flipping foods that don’t fall apart, and stirring whatever is cooking in a BBQ basket (which just misses out on making this list).

BBQ with a knife

3. Knife

Whether you’re slicing flank steak right on the grill or checking the progress of plump chicken breasts, a sharp blade can’t be overlooked.

BBQ meats with a thermometer

4. Meat thermometer

Then again, why deface a perfect chicken breast when you can insert a thermometer to know if it’s properly cooked?

BBQ meats with a fork

5. Fork

Just the thing for steadying food on the grill, moving it around, and sneaking a sample bite on the down low.

Applying BBQ sauce to meats with a brush

6. Brush

Simply pouring glazes and sauces onto food is so T-Rex. Evolution gave us the brush, so use it to ensure an even coating of deliciousness.

Is there a BBQ tool you just can’t grill without? Tell other guys about it in the comments below!

Photo credit: Carnivore Style