Summertime is synonymous with backyard barbecues, neighborhood cookouts, and prime grilling season. Whether you're experimenting with a smoker grill this year or just using a traditional outdoor grill, you'll need the proper cookware and accessories to cook up a perfect feast and keep your station clean.
Grilling lights, heat-resistant gloves, and grill brushes are some of the tools we’ve gathered to keep your grill and your skills in pristine condition so that you can be the cookout boss for seasons to come. Gather your summer lovin' pals and get out in your backyard to impress them with a delicious feast.
From flavor-packed wood planks to kabob baskets to dry rubs, these must-have grill accessories can complement basically any backyard barbecue setup. We’ve selected the essential tools so you'll have everything you need to grill to perfection all summer long, for summers on end.
Any grill master knows that you can't use just any old tool when dealing with different types of food. Delicate fish fillets require a flat spatula for flipping, while steak and hearty veggies are best flipped with an expert pair of tongs.
The Stingray 7-in-1 Grill Multitool is a hybrid grill accessory that can handle virtually any type of grilled fare, and it even has a built-in bottle opener.
We've all used those disposable bamboo skewers that get charred or fall apart during grilling, leading to splinters in your food. Avoid that whole mess by opting for reusable, stainless steel kabob skewers instead.These heavy-duty (yet budget-friendly) grill accessories are made from rust-resistant stainless steel, so you can use them for meal after meal.
Plus, the unique flat-blade design makes for easy, precise gripping and flipping of your chicken or veggie kabobs.
Because nothing harshes the chill faster than an accidental burn while cooking, every chef needs a pair of heat-resistant gloves. These durable gloves are ideal for shredding meats like pulled pork or brisket, but they're also perfect for separating or flipping veggies or kabobs as well.
These top-rated, insulated rubberized gloves can handle up to 932 degrees Fahrenheit, so your paws will be totally protected!
If your favorite grilling tools just don't look the same after years of flipping burgers, it's time to freshen up your collection with this stainless steel tool set from All-Clad. Complete with locking tongs, a spatula, a pronged fork, and a marinade brush, this grill accessories kit is all you'll need to get grilling.
Plus, the sleek and convenient matching carrying case means that you can easily take your favorite grilling tools with you for barbecues at the park or the beach, all while staying organized.
This set of two prep and serve trays is a must-have in any grilling setup. Needed from start to finish, the red tray is used for raw meat prep and the black tray is for fully cooked meat. The perfect before and after, these trays are dishwasher safe and prevent cross-contamination.
Designed for foolproof flipping, these genius nonstick baskets will keep those kabobs in perfect shape with every single turn. Plus, these grill accessories make it easy to keep things separate if a family member has food restrictions or allergies.
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7
Keep Your Utensils in Reach
Chef's Kitchen 7-Piece Outdoor BBQ Apron and Utensil Set
7
Keep Your Utensils in Reach
Chef's Kitchen 7-Piece Outdoor BBQ Apron and Utensil Set
This durable, all-in-one apron and utensil set makes a perfect gift for the grilling enthusiast in your life. There's no need for a second set of hands with this many storage pockets for all of their grill accessories.
Whether you're barbecuing brisket, veggies, or ribs, no one likes to play the temperature-guessing game when it comes to the time-sensitive handling of meat.
Enter: An accurate, easy-to-use meat thermometer. Amazon's number-one best-seller in this category, this Habor Digital Meat Thermometer gauges temperature in a speedy 4 to 6 seconds, thanks to its precise internal sensor.
This all-in-one power tool does double duty as a heavy-duty grill brush and scraper, covering three times the surface area of a standard grill brush. Its hefty steel construction can be used to clean virtually any type of grill surface, including porcelain, cast-iron, and stainless steel grates.
These stackable leak-proof food prep containers are perfect for marination and storage. The snapping lid makes these easily transportable from the kitchen to the grill. The set of two gives you the option to use one for marinating raw meat or veggies and the other to store or serve cooked food.
Whether you're making stuffed homemade veggie patties, mini sliders, or a normal-sized burger, this easy-to-use, three-piece burger press will streamline your meal prep to ensure consistency in size and thickness. If you're cooking for a large group or a special occasion, this press will also provide total uniformity for picture-perfect presentation.
Get creative with fillings like cheese, fresh seasonal herbs, or breadcrumbs, and bring on the burgers!
You could say we're just slightly obsessed with this Venezuelan-inspired avocado sauce, especially for grilling season. This perfectly piquant hot sauce is made with vibrant, fresh, completely plant-based ingredients, including green bell peppers, cilantro, parsley, jalapeños, and (of course) avocados.
You'll want to smother everything you eat in this tasty hot sauce — from tacos to grilled seafood and steak.
Make nighttime grilling easier with this best-selling magnetic grill light set from KOSIN. Their powerful magnetic base allows you to firmly mount these lights to your grill in any position, and the gooseneck design means that you can adjust the angle to illuminate your cooking or grilling surface.
Four words: Don't forget to season. This trilogy of barbecue spice rubs from Spicewalla hits all of the basics with a Carolina Pork Rub, Cowboy Steak Rub, and Honey & Herb Rub that's particularly delicious on grilled veggies and fish.
Whether you're looking for a housewarming gift to bring to that barbecue or upping your own spice rub collection, don't sleep on this set.
Wood planks are great grill accessories because they naturally absorb moisture while also imparting a unique smoky flavor to your food. This assorted grilling plank variety pack from Wildwood Grilling features six different kinds of wood, including cedar, alder, hickory, cherry, maple, and red oak.
Maple will complement your favorite red and white meats, while the cedar plank is ideal to use for grilling salmon.
Transform your next batch of grilled veggies with this gorgeous hand-carved Himalayan salt platter. In addition to providing a natural source of seasoning, Himalayan salt also retains heat evenly, so you won't have to stress about overcooking.
If you grill often, you probably already own a go-to apron and pair of tongs. But, if you're looking for the perfect shirt to rock this season, consider this Serial Griller tee. It's so cheesy that it's actually perfect.
If grilled oysters are some of your favorite appetizers, this cast-iron pan is calling your name. With 12 individual cavities, this clever grill accessory will keep your shellfish stabilized as they cook to perfection in the oven or on the grill. The seasoned nonstick coating also means quicker cleanup after the party.
Reviewers love serving oysters straight off the grill in this pan, for a fun and authentic touch during dinner parties.
Don't forget the little things! Every griller needs a few disposable drip pans at the ready for letting meat or seafood rest after it's grilled to juicy perfection. These aluminum drip pans can also be placed directly onto the grill to keep surfaces clean and grease-free.
Maintenance and proper cleanup are essential to get the most longevity out of your grill. This stainless steel grill-cleaning brush from Cuisinart has heavy bristles to get grease and grime off of grill grates, and it also has a handy loop for hanging out of the way when not in use.
Taylor is a freelance commerce editor for Hearst’s Enthusiast Group. She works with content for Best Products, Popular Mechanics, Runner’s World, and Bicycling. Taylor has her Master’s in Journalism from Quinnipiac University, where she found love for the editorial world through her internship at Flaunt Magazine. You can find the Boston-based editor getting lost in books or on hiking trails, curating playlists based on mood, and scouring the city for vintage treasures.
Danielle is the former food & drink editor for BestProducts.com, where she put her knowledge as a cocktail consultant and connoisseur to use; her work can also be spotted on Thrillist, Food & Wine, andDelish. Prior to joining BestProducts.com in 2016, she was slinging fancy cocktails in Brooklyn, reporting on the best bars and restaurants in the country for Food & Wine magazine, and drinking all the whiskey New York has to offer. Outside of work, you’ll most likely find her catching the end of happy hour at her favorite bars in New York or dreaming up pretty new drink recipes.