Every summer I look forward to firing up the grill for the season’s first cookout. I love smoky, charred foods—whether it’s a grilled chicken sandwich, corn on the cob, or a classic spread of burgers and hot dogs. Grilling makes for quick weeknight dinners and keeps the house cool on hot evenings. With the right grill and a few essential tools, you can expand your outdoor cooking repertoire and get reliably delicious results every time.
I recently started using a kamado-style charcoal grill for deep smoky flavor, but a propane grill works wonderfully too and can be more convenient for families. No matter the grill you choose, having the best grill tools makes barbecuing easier and more enjoyable.
Below are 14 must-have grilling supplies I recommend—gear that will help you grill smarter, faster, and tastier. The list includes reliable thermometers, spatulas and tongs, a solid grill brush, a pizza stone for backyard pies, and more.
My Top Picks:
- Best Meat Thermometer: ThermoPro Digital Meat Thermometer
- Best Grill Set: Weber Precision 3-Piece Grilling Set
- Best Meat Tenderizer: OXO Good Grips Bladed Meat Tenderizer
- Best Pizza Stone: Emile Henry Glazed Pizza Stone
- Best Griddle: Blackstone 1813 Portable Flat Griddle
- Best Burger Press: Cuisinart Smashed Burger Press
Reviews of the Best Grill Tools
1. Best Meat Thermometer: ThermoPro Digital Meat Thermometer
A reliable meat thermometer is essential for perfectly cooked proteins. This ThermoPro digital thermometer delivers accurate readings in a few seconds and features a large, backlit display that rotates to match how you hold it. It’s quick, easy to read, and simple to clean—ideal for the grill when you don’t want to hang over the heat.
2. Best Grill Set: Weber Precision 3-Piece Grilling Set
A compact set of essential tools goes a long way. This three-piece Weber set includes a spatula, tongs, and a basting brush with long handles to keep your hands away from the heat. The spatula’s beveled edges make it easy to slide under food, and the pieces are dishwasher-safe for quick cleanup.
3. Best Meat Tenderizer: OXO Good Grips Bladed Meat Tenderizer
Tenderizing chicken and other cuts before grilling helps them cook evenly and soak up marinades. The OXO bladed tenderizer’s spring press system is easy to use and safer for your fingers than manual mallets. It also helps marinades penetrate faster, improving both texture and flavor.
4. Best Pizza Stone: Emile Henry Glazed Pizza Stone
If you don’t want to heat your oven to extreme temperatures in summer, a grill-friendly pizza stone is a great option. This glazed pizza stone is rated for very high heat and works on most grills, allowing you to bake homemade pies with a crisp crust and subtle smoky flavor—perfect for margherita or other simple pizzas.
5. Best Griddle: Blackstone 1813 Portable Flat Griddle
Flat griddles are ideal for smash burgers, tacos, pancakes, and delicate patties that can fall apart on a traditional grill. The compact Blackstone tabletop griddle offers two burners and a convenient lid to speed cooking and keep it clean. It’s a versatile option for backyard meals and outdoor breakfasts alike.
6. Best Burger Press: Cuisinart Smashed Burger Press
A heavy cast-iron burger press helps you achieve evenly flattened patties with a crispy edge—ideal for smash-style burgers. The weight of a cast-iron press makes it easy to press burgers and other foods. To prevent sticking, use a small square of parchment between the press and the patty.
7. Best Grill Brush: Grill Rescue BBQ Replaceable Scraper
Keeping your grill clean after each use prevents buildup and reduces sticking. This brush uses steam to lift residue without loose bristles that could end up in food. Preheat the grill, dip the brush in water, and the steam helps remove grease; a built-in scraper handles tougher grime safely.
8. Best Grill Basket: Grillaholics Grill Basket
A stainless-steel grill basket makes grilling vegetables, shrimp, and small items foolproof. This design holds multiple servings, resists warping, and features perforations small enough to keep food from falling through while still allowing heat and smoke to circulate for a great char.
9. Best Spatula: OXO Good Grips Grill Turner
A grill-specific spatula with a long handle and beveled edges makes flipping burgers and delicate foods far easier. This turner’s double-bend shape improves leverage and control, and it’s dishwasher safe for fast cleanup.
10. Best Tongs: OXO Good Grips 12-Inch Stainless-Steel Locking Tongs
Long, sturdy tongs are indispensable for turning steaks, corn, and pineapple without getting too close to the heat. Look for tongs with a locking mechanism for easy storage and drainage holes to reduce flare-ups when cooking fatty or juicy foods.
11. Best Basting Brush: OXO Good Grips Grill Basting Brush
A grill-specific basting brush has a long handle and high-heat silicone bristles to apply sauces and marinades safely. An angled head keeps bristles off the counter when you set the brush down, which helps keep things tidy while you work at the grill.
12. Best Smart Thermometer: Meater Plus
For mostly hands-off cooking, a wireless smart thermometer like the Meater Plus is a game changer. The probe stays in the meat while it cooks and sends real-time temperature updates to your phone, alerting you when your target internal temperature is reached. This is especially useful for larger cuts and slow cooks that don’t need constant monitoring.
13. Best Grill Caddy: Mr. Bar-B-Q Adjustable Grilling Caddy
A portable grill caddy keeps seasonings, tools, and paper towels within arm’s reach so you don’t have to run back and forth to the kitchen. Adjustable height and compartments make it easy to organize condiments and utensils and carry everything to your grilling station in one trip.
14. Best Chimney Starter: Weber Rapidfire Chimney Starter
If you prefer charcoal, a chimney starter is the quickest and cleanest way to light briquettes without lighter fluid. Load the chimney, start a small fire underneath, and in about 20 minutes you’ll have evenly lit coals ready to pour into your grill for that classic smoky flavor.
Why You Can Trust Me
I develop recipes and write about approachable, healthier home cooking, focusing on seasonal ingredients and practical techniques for busy cooks. I test tools in real home-kitchen situations and choose products that consistently deliver better results—whether that means more accurate temperatures, easier handling, or cleaner grilling. Many of the tools listed here are ones I use regularly and recommend to friends, readers, and fellow home cooks.
Prices and availability vary. Product details were accurate at time of writing.