Derek Simpson is a jack of all trades. Lawyer, sports agent, and grilling aficionado turned co-creator of 'Grillaz' gloves. He is a Huntsville native who spends long summer weekends at his lake house, where the warm days and cool evenings bid him, his family, and his friends lots of time spent outdoors. "Just over fifteen years ago, my interest in grilling burgers expanded to experimentation with smoking and cooking over open flames," Derek explains.
"My exploration of the culinary prospects of searing a steak over high heat or tending the slow, indirect heat required for a pork shoulder has steered me toward extraordinary flavors and exceptionally tender meat. My ventures have been met with well-appreciated approval, and sometimes silence that follows a grilling fail," he laughs.
While he still considers himself a novice, he has found a few methods and accessories that have improved his grilling game and he shared them with us in hopes of helping you elevate your grill game this summer, too!
Yoder YS480S Pellet Grill
For Grilling and smoking, I love the Yoder YS480S, Pellet Grill -it’s built to last. A true workhorse of a grill. It has versatile cooking capabilities and offers a wide temperature range, allowing you to smoke low and slow or sear at a high heat.
Big Green Egg
Call me old-fashioned, but I recommend the Big Green Egg. I have cooked with one for years and have been a massive fan of its adaptability, quality, and durability. Several years ago, I was fortunate to attend Steven Raichlen’s BBQ University at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado. I had never seen so many high-end grills in one place. While at the University, the Broadmoor received a Wagyu A5 Beef Brisket that Mr. Raichlen would cook. He could have used any grill or smoker for this rare, pricey piece of meat, but he chose a well-used, well-seasoned Big Green Egg. That’s a pretty solid recommendation. The brisket was cooked perfectly and was delicious.
Pit Barrel Cooker
I get the most compliments on anything I cook when I use the Pit Barrel Cooker, a drum-style cooker that hangs the meat on stainless steel rods over a charcoal fire. I load it and walk away – there’s not even a temperature gauge. The chicken and ribs always turn out perfect.
Drip EZ Prep Tub
Another accessory I love is the Drip EZ Prep Tub. It has a built-in basin and high walls, so all of your seasoning, marinades, and juices stay inside the tub. It also has a locking lid to transport it from the kitchen to the grill without spilling.
Drip EZ BBQ Blanket
The Drip EZ BBQ Blanket, an insulated “meat resting” bag, is engineered to slow the temperature drop and prevents brisket, pork butt, or turkey from drying out during the crucial rest phase.
Fireboard 2 Meat Thermometer
If you’re serious about precision cooking, whether grilling or smoking, I recommend the Fireboard 2 meat thermometer. It is incredibly accurate and has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Cloud Monitoring. The Fireboard App is user-friendly and allows you to monitor your cook while away from home.
Grillaz Gloves
The best new accessory for grilling is the Grillaz gloves, which Jon Houser and I created. I have purchased countless grilling gloves and finally decided to design my own. Grillaz are FDA-compliant silicone-coated neoprene gloves that allow you to handle food directly and move items cooked on the grill without any other tools. You can now use your hands to grill! Another awesome feature is the easy pull tab on the back of the glove, so you can remove a glove without getting your clean hand messy.
Whether grilling or smoking, I have never had a bad day when it involves cooking over an open fire or watching clean smoke rise high from a smoker. I wish everyone a wonderful grilling season.