Anyone can take a road trip grill in the car and throw a few burgers on it when it’s time to eat, but how do you tell the true road trip grill masters from the aficionados at outdoor and sporting events? We did our homework and sourced the best grilling accessories and techniques from the guys who write the barbecue hero books.

The equipment. These are the grilling accessories you need to earn your grill master stripes.

1. Grillmasters uses wood chips. You have to be a little more creative layering the wood chips with a propane grill than the kind that throws mesquite on the charcoal, but it pays off when your guests start praising you for that “something extra” they get just when you grill. .

Here’s the lowdown on what to expect from the different types of wood chips:

• Mesquite will overpower all but the tastiest porterhouse. Use very lightly or mix with other woods.
• Hickory is best with pork.
• Oak wood chips produce a lighter flavor than mesquite or hickory, but are still good for flavoring beef and chicken.
• Cherry is the wood of girls. Good for fish and vegetables, but too light for beef.

2. Spatulas must be stainless steel and at least 16 inches long. 20,000 BTUs is a lot of heat when you get to the back of the grill. Flexible is better than thick and heavy.

3. Forks should be used sparingly, if at all. A red hot pierced steak will leak juices like a sieve. If necessary, choose stainless steel and at least 16 inches long.

4. Stainless steel flip flops are your main tool for moving food. Choose spring loaded and 16 inches long. Heavy Duty is good for flip flops. You don’t want them to bend or twist.

5. The instant read meat thermometer is an absolute must. Undercooked beef can ruin your day. This is also the only surefire way to cook an expensive sirloin steak to exactly the “right” doneness for each guest.

6. Chef’s knife and wooden cutting board. Choose an 8-inch or larger high-carbon stainless steel chef’s knife. Keep it razor sharp and you’ll be able to slice and dice anything that will fit on a grill.

7. The road trip lxe and stainless steel pro side shelves are usually sufficient, but for large gatherings an outdoor cart or table is a must. You can use it to keep your tools close at hand, to cut and to serve. Stainless steel if you can.

8. Two-inch pastry brush with natural bristles for basting. Avoid plastic bristles that can not only melt if left too close to heat, but always seem to shed bristles in your work, even when new.

9. Leather grill gloves. Grilling experts say that leather provides the best combination of dexterity and protection from heat and grease. Leather also makes the best grill gloves.