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Meat thermometers, torches and other great grill accessories on Amazon under $50
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If your grill gadgets are looking a little worn, it may be time to pick up a few new items to take your grilling game to the next level this summer.
This roundup of highly rated grilling gadgets, tools and accessories, all available through Amazon, will make shaping uniform burgers a breeze, take the guesswork out of whether chicken is cooked to a safe temperature, simplify lighting a charcoal grill and even transform your BBQ into a rotisserie.
And if you need a new grill, too? CBS Essentials has you covered there, too: Take a look at this roundup of grills and smokers for every budget and the best Memorial Day deals on grills.
Best grilling gear under $50 at Amazon
We’ve curated a list of the best grilling gear you can get at Amazon for under $50. With Amazon Prime’s fast and free shipping, you can get all these grilling essentials delivered before Memorial Day.
Make smashburgers with the Cuisinart cast iron grill press
Amazon
This handy grill press tool from Cuisinart reduces cooking time and presses out unwanted fat. It heats up on the grill and even imparts grill marks, so when placed on top of a steak, chicken breast or grilled cheese sandwich, it will create those aesthetically perfect char lines.
“Using the Cuisinart grill press has taken my grilling to a whole new level,” says one Amazon reviewer of the 4.7-star rated Cuisinart cast iron grill press. “The heavy-duty design provides excellent heat retention, ensuring even and consistent cooking every time I use it.”
Find the 4.7-star-rated Cuisinart cast iron grill press at Amazon for $17, reduced from $20.
Cuisinart also makes a circular cast iron grill press that’s perfect for making smash burgers at home. It’s on sale at Amazon for $16, reduced from $20.
The perfect magnetic grill light set for nighttime BBQs
Amazon
No outdoor lights, no problem! These 4.5-star-rated magnetic grill lights make grilling in the dark a breeze, easily attaching to most grills. Their compact size makes them a smart choice for camping trips. Six AAA batteries are included.
“I was surprised at how small these lights are but am happy they are,” says one verified Amazon reviewer. “It makes them easier to store. I love them. They provide plenty of light and often times one is enough. I have had no problems with the magnets or melting of the plastic as I keep them away from excessive heat.”
Regularly $30, you can find the Bright Eyes magnetic grill set at Amazon for $28.
Grill indoors with the Chefman smokeless electric grill
Chefman via Amazon
The Chefman is a great indoor grill option for anyone who wants to keep smoke to a minimum, thanks to a water tray that cools grease as soon as it drops. It is also divided into heat zones, so veggies and various meats can be cooked at the same time to the right temperature each requires.
Amazon reviewers say this grill is an excellent choice for renters who are prohibited from cooking on their balconies. They say it’s also good for when it’s just too hot to grill outside.
You can find the 4.4-star-rated Chefman smokeless electric grill at Amazon for $50.
Cook steak to perfection with a digital meat thermometer
Kizen via Amazon
A fast and efficient meat thermometer is key when it comes to grilling everything from chicken to steak. Kizen’s 4.6-star-rated waterproof digital thermometer features a large, easy-to-read LED screen. And at just $14, this is one piece of grilling tech that won’t break the bank.
One Amazon reviewer calls this meat thermometer his go-to grilling sidekick. “It’s lightning fast, giving me accurate readings in seconds, so I can nail that perfect medium-rare every time. Plus, the probe is super long and sturdy, so I can check internal temps without burning my fingers. (Trust me, that’s happened more than once!)”
Keep things clean with the Cuisinart steam clean grill brush
Cuisinart via Amazon
Cuisinart’s grill brush makes post-grilling cleanup a breeze. The secret: Its grate-claw-equipped scraper is paired with steam cleaning power, which loosens up the toughest grease and fat residue.
“I like this brush so much,” says one Amazon reviewer. “It cleans the grill grates almost perfectly because the water from the brush turns to steam while you scrub. The result is clean and dry grill grates. The other half of my cooking surface is a griddle so I really like the built-in scraper blade for keeping it clean.”
You can find this 4.4-star-rated grill cleaning tool at Amazon for $15.
This 1500°F heat gun starts fires without flames
HomeRight via Amazon
For charcoal grill enthusiasts, flame is essential. HomeRight’s powerful Electro Torch ignites a charcoal grill in less than one minute, using zero chemicals — just 1,500-degree Fahrenheit hot air. Goodbye, lighter fluid taste!
“I first used it during the off-season to light the fire in my wood stove and it had a fire roaring within two minutes from kindling wood to full logs,” says one Amazon reviewer. “When I used it to light the coals for my smoker, it again cut had the coals burning and ashened in ready to cook with in just minutes with little to no wasted fuel product.”
Find the 4.4-star rated HomeRight Electro-Torch for $40 at Amazon.
Get a propane gauge and never run out of gas unexpectedly
Amazon
The Dozyant propane gauge takes the guesswork out of calculating how much propane is left in the tank. It easily attaches to a propane tank and measures the remaining fluid via weight, displaying an accurate and reliable reading.
You can get one of these propane gauges at Amazon for $15, reduced from $18. If you need an extra propane gauge, you can pick up a two-pack for $25.
Turn your grill into a rotisserie for under $50
Char-Broil via Amazon
Instantly transform a grill into a rotisserie with the help of Char-Broil’s clever grill attachment. The one-piece rotisserie rod is powered by an electric motor and rotates so the meat can baste in its own juices, cooking up the juiciest meat imaginable.
The design of this 4.2-star-rated Char-Broil rotisserie is universal, so it will fit most two- to six-burner grills of any brand. One bracket mounts to the lid support, the other to the grill grates.
You can find the Char-Broil universal rotisserie at Amazon for $43.
This press is the secret to perfect shaped burgers every time
Weston via Amazon
It’s easy to make perfectly and consistently shaped burgers that won’t fall apart on the grill with Weston Burger Express. Patties can be made from 0.25 inches to 1.5 inches thick with a diameter of 4.5 inches. Simply pack the burger meat and seasonings in the press. The press springs open for easy removal.
“Makes very nice burgers,” says one verified Amazon reviewer. “[It’s] easy to adjust for thickness and easy to clean.”
Find the 4.5-star-rated Weston Burger Express hamburger press at Amazon for $25, reduced from $27.
Grillaholics grill mat makes cleanup a breeze
Grillaholics via Amazon
Believe it or not, some people like cooking on dirty grill grates. If you prefer a clean grill every time, try the Grillaholics grill mat. The mat gets dirty, not your grill surface. After you’re done cooking, the reusable mat can be thrown into the dishwasher for easy cleanup.
Grillaholics grill mats are thin enough to still achieve those highly desired grill marks and the flavor of charcoal but are thick enough to withstand temperatures up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
“I use these for all grilling tasks,” says one Amazon reviewer. “Nothing sticks to the grill, no messes to clean up.”
Law enforcement officers were searching Friday for two inmates who escaped from a jail in southwestern Mississippi.
The two men are awaiting trial on murder charges in separate counties.
Tyrekennel Collins, 24, and Dezarrious Johnson, 18, broke out of the Claiborne County Detention Center at about 2:20 a.m. Friday, the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Department said in a social media post.
Update: Johnson has a bad limp and an injury to his right leg that occurred during the escape (Pictured on the…
Posted by Claiborne County Sheriff Department on Friday, July 5, 2024
The jail is in Port Gibson, about 60 miles (96.6 kilometers) southwest of Jackson.
Camera footage showed Collins and Johnson escaping through the ceiling and leaving behind an outside wall, Claiborne County Sheriff Edward Goods told WAPT-TV. Johnson injured one of his legs during the escape and was walking with a limp, the sheriff’s department said.
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation said Collins and Johnson are considered armed and dangerous.
WJTV-TV reported Collins is charged with murder in the October killing of his cousin in Copiah County, which is about 40 miles (64.4 kilometers) west of Claiborne County. Court records on Friday did not show an indictment for Collins.
Johnson is charged with murder and aggravated assault in Jefferson County, which is just south of Claiborne County. Court records show he was indicted in the October 2022 killing of one person and injuries to two others. His trial is set to begin Oct. 15.
CBS News
As sunscreen misinformation spreads online, dermatologists face real-life impact of online trends
With the holiday weekend in full swing, the anti-sunscreen movement’s recent spike is worrying dermatologists.
“It was not like this before,” Dr. Jeanine Downie, a board-certified dermatologist with her own practice in New Jersey told CBS News Confirmed. “I see easily six patients per week that are anti-sunscreen, where it used to be maybe one every other week or one a month. And now it’s just gotten crazy.”
Downie says in the last two weeks she’s diagnosed three squamous cell and two malignant melanomas, both of which can turn cancerous if not caught early. “And that’s me, just one little dermatologist,” she said.
This movement picked up steam in June, with creators on TikTok telling followers in no uncertain terms “stop wearing sunscreen.” At first, the posts received tens of thousands of views and likes. Dermatologists on the platform then began sharing their own reactions, with those videos gaining even more views. And more recently, influencer Nara Smith went viral sharing an at-home sunscreen recipe to her 8 million followers that dermatologists say does little to protect wearers from sun damage.
Dr. Shereene Idriss, a New York dermatologist who has amassed more than a million followers on her social media channels, is trying to leverage that influence to educate users about sunscreen and sun protection.
“It’s becoming more and more difficult, I think, as a consumer, to try to weed through the noise,” Idriss told CBS News Confirmed.
This misinformation reflects the surprising reality of how some young Americans view sun safety. A study by the Orlando Health Cancer Institute in March found that 1 in 7 adults under the age of 35 say daily sunscreen use is more harmful than direct sun exposure. “I tell my patients, if you want your face to look like a leather bag later, then that’s up to you,” Downie said. About 6.1 million adults are treated each year for basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas according to the CDC. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the country.
“They only want the natural things,” said Downie. “But I tell them all the time, sitting in traffic here in the tri-state area, the level of pollutants in the air on a daily, weekly and monthly basis is significantly more toxic than any chemical they’re going to rub into their skin with sunblock.”
While there’s no evidence that sunscreens are unsafe, the FDA is currently investigating potential concerns. It’s called for more data on 12 ingredients often found in U.S. sunscreen. After conducting its own study into how certain ingredients are absorbed into the bloodstream, the FDA has called for more research into potential health effects on the body.
However, beachgoers on the Jersey Shore this week told CBS News that sun safety is top of mind this summer. CBS News Confirmed looked at Google Search trends and saw terms like “sunscreen” and “what does skin cancer look like” are at an all-time high since tracking began in 2004.
“You know what gets them to start wearing sunblock?” said Downie. “Young kids and young adults, Gen Z, Gen X, they hate pores. And once they hear that they’re going to have big pores that look like potholes, they put that sunblock on.”
The dermatologists CBS Newsspoke with say there is no such thing as a healthy tan. To best protect yourself this summer, they say to use sunscreen and reapply often; wear UPF clothing or UV visors; and avoid being outside during peak UV index between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
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