10 Grill Tools You Need Before Your Next Summer Cookout
These BBQ essentials will have you grilling like a pro all season long.
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Firing up the grill on a balmy summer evening is one of the best ways to soak up the longer days, warmer weather, and fresh food that the season has to offer. Whether you’re gathering all your friends and family for a cookout or simply taking your weeknight dinners out back, there’s nothing like a spread of all your favorite grilled foods. But before you can flip burgers, sear steaks, and whip up wings, you’ll need the right utensils and gadgets to get the job done. Having a collection of top-tier grill tools will help you handle food with precision, serve dishes with efficiency, and clean up mess with ease.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a grill master or a beginner—these grill tools belong in your repertoire. Each one is highly rated, super effective, and distinctly designed to make outdoor cooking safer, simpler, and more enjoyable. Ahead, you’ll find a sturdy spatula and long-handled tong with non-slip grips that’ll keep your hands safe and agile, along with an instant-read meat thermometer that’ll let you know when your main course is perfectly cooked. And for long-term maintenance, you can clean your grill with the bristle-free grill brush and heavy-duty scraper to keep your appliance looking pristine.
Ready to make the most of cookout season? Here are 10 must-have grill tools that you’ll want to grab before summer ends.
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A pair of tongs is essential for turning, lifting, and serving all your grilling favorites, and this one checks all the boxes: It’s long and lightweight enough to protect your hand from burning and cramping, and it’s both precise and strong, so you can grab a thin asparagus spear and hoist a hearty steak with ease. What’s more, this grill tool is affordable, and thousands of reviewers gave it a near-perfect score.
With a three-sided beveled edge and a non-slip handle, this grill tool will help you flip food from any angle with a secure grip. The durable stainless steel material can handle all the heavy lifting and high heat that comes with grilling. Plus, it features a metal loop for easy storage and a dishwasher-safe coating for easy cleanup.
If you’re whipping up more delicate dishes like grilled fish, this bestselling grill tool from The Pioneer Woman’s collection turns and lifts food with utmost precision. The stainless steel head is heat- and rust-resistant, and it has a slotted design that easily drains juices, greases, and oils. It’s finished off with an ergonomic handle that won’t slip as you work.
Both reviewers and experts alike have designated this basting brush the best out there. It has an extra-long, non-slip handle with heat-resistant silicone bristles that’ll shield your hands from high heat. The bristles also hold a ton of sauce for maximum flavor, and the head is angled for less mess.
For perfectly juicy, supremely tender burgers, ribeyes, or wings, you’ll need to cook your dish at the optimal temperature. Considered the gold standard, this instant-read meat thermometer offers an accurate temperature reading in just one second, so you won’t have to worry about overcooking or undercooking your main course.
While long tongs and heat-resistant bristles will help keep your knuckles away from the flame, a pair of grilling gloves will offer maximum protection. This one is constantly praised for its comfort, thanks to a non-slip silicone grip, slim construction, and cotton lining. And the heat-proof material can withstand up to 932 degrees Fahrenheit.
In addition to all those cooking-related grill tools, you’ll also need cleaning utensils that’ll keep your grill in tip-top shape. For less than $25, this grill cleaner comes with a built-in scraper for a two-in-one deal. The wire-free, bristle-free design won’t contaminate your food, and the heavy-duty stainless steel handle will hold up over time.
If you’re grilling up fragile foods like vegetables, shrimp, or scallops, this grill tool will make your job a lot easier—without sacrificing the smoky flavor. With this grilling basket on hand, you won’t have to spend time flipping every single item of food or cleaning up stray pieces that slipped through the grates.
Anyone with a charcoal kettle grill could benefit from adding this charcoal basket to their collection of grill tools. It transforms your grill into a versatile appliance that can cook things low and slow, sear them on high heat, or simply roast or bake them. And it has a removable water reservoir that helps get the job done.
This charcoal chimney starter is one of the fastest, easiest, and safest ways to ignite a grill without using lighter fluid. It comes with a heat-resistant handle, and its compact size is perfect for on-the-go uses, whether it’s a camping trip or a picnicking adventure.
Lilly Blomquist is the associate editor at The Pioneer Woman, where she writes lifestyle stories across a wide range of topics—including news, entertainment, holidays, food, and more.
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