The Best Grilling Equipment for Excellent Barbecues at Home
This summer is prime time to develop your grilling setup on your deck, patio, or however you choose to cook outdoors. Smaller gatherings and time spent with immediate family means more time to smoke and grill to your heart’s desire. Amidst it all, you’ll need all the essential tools to make it happen. No matter what you’re starting off with, these are some of the most essential (and some covetable) grilling accessories to make your family or roommates great food that will keep you in the moment, and minimize most everything else. Read on for our gear picks.
Sturdy Grilling Tongs
Never underestimate the importance of a good set of grill tongs. They’ll need to be stronger and the proper length for turning over the grates, and ideally stainless steel at the tip to resist high temperatures. These two heavy-duty options have thousands of perfect ratings, and will work for any of your grilling needs.
Grillhogs Barbecue Grill Tongs, 16 Inch, $20 at amazon.com
Premium 12-inch and 9-inch Stainless-Steel Locking Tongs, $10 at amazon.com
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Charcoal Chimney
If you’re working with a charcoal grill, a charcoal chimney is essential for getting things started. Pair with lighter cubes to get the coals lit quickly and be ready to toss the burgers on in no time.
Weber Rapidfire Chimney Starter, $23 at amazon.com
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Basting Brushes
If you’re planning on smoking or grilling ribs, brisket, and other slow-cooked meats, a basting brush is key. Opt for a multipurpose silicone basting brush from OXO, or a stainless steel brush with replaceable silicone brush heads. If you’re planning on mopping like the pros, go with the sauce pot and basting brush, or even a classic mop brush from Cuisinart.
OXO Good Grips Silicone Basting & Pastry Brush, $10 at amazon.com
Cuisinart Sauce Pot and Basting Brush Set, $15 at amazon.com
Cuisinart BBQ Basting Mop Brush, 18" at amazon.com
Heatproof Stainless Steel Pastry Brush, $13 at amazon.com
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Basic Meat Thermometer
For your usual burgers, steaks, and grilled chicken, a basic meat thermometer is a handy tool to keep around the grill. The ThermoPro is a simple and easy option, and with over 20,000 positive ratings you can be certain it’s a smart purchase.
ThermoPro TP03 Digital Instant Read Meat Thermometer, $14 at amazon.com
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Wireless Meat Thermometer
If you’re looking to go high tech and hands-off, the Meater long-range thermometer works with an app so you can track your food’s cooking process while away from the grill. It can help you plan the cooking process and give you timing estimates so your barbecue is as seamless as possible.
MEATER+165ft Long Range Smart Wireless Meat Thermometer, $99 at amazon.com
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Grill Cleaning Brush
This grill brush is a step up from the usual steel version without bristles to come loose or nylon that can melt at high temperatures. It’s rust-resistant and safe for all grill types, from ceramic infrared or stainless steel and cast iron.
Kona Safe/Clean Grill Brush, $22 at amazon.com
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Herb Infuser
The hinged grates on Charcoal Companion’s Herb Grid hold herbs; the fragrant smoke adds flavor to the food on top.
Charcoal Companion Nonstick Herb Grilling Grid, $18 at amazon.com
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Plancha Insert
This grill insert comes in every size so you can turn half of your standard grill into a griddle-style surface. The carbon steel is harder than cast iron and resists rust after seasoning.
ARTEFLAME Replacement BBQ Grill Cooking Plancha Griddle, $40-$50 at amazon.com
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Sturdy Skewers
For great kabobs, ditch the wooden version that requires soaking prep and opt for reusable stainless steel skewers.
Best of Barbecue Stainless Steel Grilling Kabob Skewers, $17 at amazon.com
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Pit Mitt
This glove is thick enough to withstand blazing temperatures and flexible enough that you can pick up tongs and skewers.
Charcoal Companion Ultimate Barbecue Pit Mitt Glove, $15 at amazon.com
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Light Up Tongs
These tongs are designed with detachable LED lights for night grilling. The locking tongs are made of sturdy stainless steel, and you can pop off the flashlight to wash them in the dishwasher.
LED Spatula and tong set, $40 at amazon.com
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Pizza Stone
Weber’s ceramic pizza stone absorbs moisture to make perfectly crispy pizzas and can be used on a charcoal or gas grill.
Weber Gourmet BBQ System Pizza Stone with Carry Rack, $45 at acehardware.com
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Rib Rack
Anyone who is planning on smoking plenty of ribs this year needs a rib rack for optimal grill space. This one can hold up to 8 racks, so you can feed the whole family (and perhaps the neighbors too).
Traeger Grills BBQ Rib Rack, $23 at bbqguys.com
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Charcoal Grill
The classic Weber kettle grill does it all and is the perfect price for all that it provides. Excellent burgers, skewers, and all varieties of hot dogs and sausage will get those perfectly charred grill marks on this 22-inch model. It’s ideally simple and efficient all at once, with a small footprint too. Be sure to keep the grill covered, to prevent rusting.
Weber Original Kettle 22-Inch Charcoal Grill, $110 at amazon.com
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Weber Smoker
For anyone starting out their adventures in smoking meats, Weber’s 15-by-31-inch Smokey Mountain is the perfect tool to try out. It’s less pricey than the serious Big Green versions but still can make delicious ribs, beer can chicken, brisket, and any other low-and-slow smoking recipe you can come up with. Make sure you have a chimney on hand to get things going.
Weber Smokey Mountain, from $220 at amazon.com
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Portable Grill
Napoleon’s fold-up gas grill is as easy to carry to a tailgate as a briefcase. It’s perfect for small patio spaces or shared backyards. The porcelain-coated cast iron cooking grate is removable for cleaning, and the ignition lights things up in seconds so you can get right to cooking.
Napoleon TravelQ 285X Portable Freestanding Propane Gas Grill, $229 at homedepot.com