Make the most of your time in front of the coals with these five essential grilling tools.

1. Short tongs are much easier to use, but long tongs keep your hands away from the heat, so it's a good idea to have both options.

2. A wire brush keeps the barbecue grates clean.

3. An instant-read thermometer takes the guesswork out of determining the doneness of grilled meats and poultry. You won't have to cut into food and waste delicious juices.

4. Grill pans and baskets are useful for vegetables and small pieces of meat or poultry, and for whole fish.

5. A silicone brush won't burn, and it lets you baste foods easily without leaving any nasty bristles behind.

Excerpted from Canadian Living: The Barbecue Collection second edition, copyright 2012 by The Canadian Living Test Kitchen. Used by permission of Transcontinental. All Rights Reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced except with permission in writing from the publisher.

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