Chef Tyler Florence’s Top Tools for the Perfect Steak Start at $6

Food & Wine’s first Charleston Classic kicks off today, and we’re gearing up for a weekend full of tasting, learning, and fun. The event features over 50 celebrity chef demos, panels, and seminars you won’t want to miss. The Classic sold out quickly, but even if you can’t make it this year, you can still learn from the best. 

Ahead of the Food & Wine Classic, we spoke to chef Tyler Florence — host of the Food Network’s “The Great Food Truck Race” and “Food Court Wars” — about his must-have tools for making the perfect steak. His steak essentials include a cast iron skillet, wireless meat thermometer, and grill tongs, and prices start at just $6 at Amazon. 

Tyler Florence’s Steak Essentials

• Teenitor Heat-Resistant Gloves, $7
• Lodge Cast Iron Skillet, 10.25-Inch, $20, originally $34
• Bincho Yakitori Tabletop Grill, $318
• Winco Heavyweight Stainless Steel Utility Tong, 16-Inch, $6
• Typhur Wireless Meat Thermometer, $139 with coupon, originally $200

Teenitor Heat-Resistant Gloves

Chef Tyler Florence’s most recent purchase is a pair of heat-resistant gloves for grilling.  “I'll wear the gloves with a black nitrile glove on top — this combo allows me to literally pick up steaks or other food straight from the grill and move it without burning myself,” he told us. “It allows me to have much more dexterity and control than if I'm using a mitt or towel.”

Lodge Cast Iron Skillet, 10.25-Inch

For a “perfect sear,” chef Florence recommended a good cast iron skillet that “can fit on your grill (and still allows the cover to close).” According to him, a pan like this one from Lodge heats up evenly and helps with flare-ups. “When you have a nicely marbled steak that you put directly over the coals, you’ll have a lot of fat dripping directly onto the coal, which isn’t good,” he added. “The cast iron means you get a hot hard sear, and fat will collect in the pan rather than ignite flames.” 

Bincho Yakitori Tabletop Grill

“I’ve recently bought a Bincho grill, which is a yakitori tabletop grill that is great for small spaces and cooking for just a few people,” chef Florence told us. This 16-inch stainless steel grill makes it easy to host unforgettable cookouts — it’s ideal for making kabobs, vegetables, and steak. Best of all, it’s portable, so you can take it to the park, beach, and beyond.

Winco Heavyweight Stainless Steel Utility Tong, 16-Inch

Flipping steaks over a red-hot grill can be dangerous without the right tools. Chef Florence said, “You need tongs that are long enough to allow you to get into the center without putting your hands directly over the coals.” This 16-inch pair is just what you need to get the job done safely, and since they’re made from stainless steel, they won’t develop rust over time. 

Typhur Wireless Meat Thermometer

To make a great steak, “you need a good instant-read thermometer,” chef Florence said. While just about any thermometer will do, he recommends the Typhur brand. This wireless model features six sensors for better accuracy and can read temperatures in half a second. For extra convenience, you can even connect it to your smartphone to monitor your food from anywhere.