Grilling season is in full swing, but are you ready to be the master of your meal? Here are a few products from Northern Virginia retailers that will take your outdoor feast up a notch.
Grill Cleanup
You need to make sure your grill is actually clean, and we don’t mean just scrapping last year’s crusty stuff off. Try this BBQ Grill Oil Cleaner. It’s 100 percent natural and formulated to removed the built-up grease. $16 at Red Barn Mercantile, 1117 King St., Alexandria
Tool Up
No grill master is completely ready until the correct utensils are in hand. This 20-piece Cuisinart set should help. It has tongs, a basting brush, skewers, and of course, the all-important bottle opener —because we know you drink and grill. $84.95 at Williams Sonoma, 2700 Clarendon Blvd.; 2920 District Ave., Ste. 115, Fairfax
Pick the Protein
The Organic Butcher of McLean won’t disappoint when it comes to your meal’s star protein, whether you choose chicken breasts ($9.99 per pound), scallops ($39.99 per pound), a custom burger blend ($9.99 per pound), or a sirloin steak ($14.99 per pound). 6712 Old Dominion Dr., McLean
Spice It Up
If that meat needs an all-natural smoky flavor, you can go wrong with a finishing salt that was smoked over alder, cherry, hickory, maple, mesquite, and red oak. $26 at Red Barn Mercantile, 1117 King St., Alexandria
Glove Up
The last thing you want while grilling that great meal is to get burned. This cotton-lined oven mitt is dipped in silicone and heat-resistant to 650 degrees. It covers up to your forearm. Just toss it in the washer once you get it grubby. $15.96 at Williams Sonoma, 2700 Clarendon Blvd.; 2920 District Ave., Ste. 115, Fairfax
Dress It Up
No table would be complete without a colorful runner to cheer up the festivities. This paper one in a seafoam and red awning stripe will make cleanup easy. $29 at Boxwood, 128 S. Royal St., Alexandria
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