No matter what delicious dishes you’re whipping up… Having the right BBQ accessories at the ready will make outdoor grilling so much more enjoyable.
But wait… Which grill accessories do you need?
From burger presses, to chicken roasters, to huge multi-piece tool sets… There are so many options to sort through.
It can be hard to narrow it down to just the essentials!
That’s why we asked a handful of passionate backyard BBQers to tell us which grill accessories they absolutely can’t live without… So we could provide you with only the must-have tools for your next summer cookout.
Let’s see what made the cut.
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17 Must-Have Tools & Accessories For Your Next Cookout
To compile our list of must-have grill tools, we took into account the feedback of multiple grill-enthusiasts, as well as the overall quality and cost-effectiveness of each and every product.
So without further ado, here are the best grilling accessories to have at your BBQ station this summer!
Oxo Good Grips Tongs & Turners Set
Without fail, each and every griller we spoke with listed tongs and a spatula as their most-used BBQ tools. It’s safe to say that you’ll want both beside your grill!
So, if you don’t already have a high quality spatula and tongs on hand… It doesn’t get much better than this tool set from OXO.
Both BBQ grill tools are made with durable (and dishwasher safe) stainless steel with a non-slip, heat-resistant grip.
Each utensil also comes with a built-in hanging hook, for easy storage.
If you choose to buy this tool set… A portion of your money will go towards a good cause. OXO donates 1% of their annual sales to environmental nonprofits!
A limited lifetime warranty backs up the quality of these utensils… As do nearly 1,500 positive reviews! Currently, there’s a 4.8 star rating on Amazon.
At the time of writing, you can get this grill tool set for $22.95.
Blackstone Griddle Spatula
Product Highlights
Price: $12.99
Materials: Heavy duty stainless steel
Rating: 4.8 stars
Without fail, each and every griller we spoke with listed tongs and a spatula as their most-used BBQ tools. It’s safe to say that you’ll want both beside your grill!
So, if you don’t already have a high quality spatula and tongs on hand… It doesn’t get much better than this tool set from OXO.
Both BBQ grill tools are made with durable (and dishwasher safe) stainless steel with a non-slip, heat-resistant grip.
Each utensil also comes with a built-in hanging hook, for easy storage.
If you choose to buy this tool set… A portion of your money will go towards a good cause. OXO donates 1% of their annual sales to environmental nonprofits!
A limited lifetime warranty backs up the quality of these utensils… As do nearly 1,500 positive reviews! Currently, there’s a 4.8 star rating on Amazon.
At the time of writing, you can get this grill tool set for $22.95.
ALLWIN-Houseware 304 Stainless Steel Cooking Tongs
Product Highlights
Price: $6.99 , $7.99, or $8.99
Materials: 304 Stainless steel
Rating: 4.8 stars
If you’re just missing a pair of tongs… Consider this option from Allwin-Houseware!
These tongs boast a lot of special features, including a non-slip design for keeping hold of your foods, heat-resistant silicone grips (these can withstand up to 500 degrees), and a ring-pull locking clip.
Even better, Allwin-Houseware’s tongs are made with full 304 stainless steel construction! This means rusting will never be an issue.
These tongs have earned a 4.8 star rating, with almost 15,000 reviews.
Allwin-Houseware warrants their products for a lifetime, to further back up their quality.
Available in three sizes, you’ll pay $6.99 for the 9×12” tongs, $7.99 for 12×14,” and $8.99 for 14×16.”
Lanney Kebab Skewers
Product Highlights
Price: $12.99 or $14.99
Materials: Heavy Duty Stainless steel
Rating: N/A
Though not everyone we spoke with brought up skewers, they still came up enough for us to consider them a go-to grill tool.
And these kebab skewers from Lanney are a great choice for grilling meats, veggies, shrimp… You name it!
They’re constructed with heat-resistant, heavy duty stainless steel that (with routine cleaning) should last for the long haul.
The thicker design means these skewers can support heftier weights… So you don’t have to skimp on your kebabs!
The blade is also flat, to prevent your food spinning off the skewer when it comes time to flip.
Though we couldn’t identify a clear warranty, we can safely say that these reusable kebab skewers will certainly hold up longer than their disposable wood counterparts (and as an added benefit, these’ll save you money in the long run).
At the time of writing, you can buy a 12 pack of 12” or 14” skewers for $12.99… Or 10 17” skewers and two 14” skewers for $14.99.
Cuisinart Sauce Pot and Basting Brush
For perfectly marinated meats… You’ll want a high quality sauce pot and basting brush at your disposal.
And Cuisinart’s silicone basting brush and sauce pot set is well worth your attention.
The sauce pot can hold up to 16 ounces of sauce or marinade… It features a convenient, integrated brush-lid design… And it’s made with durable stainless steel construction!
The only components that aren’t stainless steel are the heat-safe silicone bristles and removable brush head… Both of which are conveniently dishwasher safe.
Again, we couldn’t identify a clear warranty on this product.
That said, there are over 8,000 happy customers. This basting brush set has a whopping 4.7 star rating on Amazon!
At the time of writing, you can purchase this basting brush set for $15.78.
Kuwani BBQ Grilling Gloves
We won’t lie… No one mentioned heat resistant mitts as a necessary grill accessory. But we’d like to think that’s because it goes without saying!
Every backyard griller should have a pair of heat resistant gloves. And this option from Kuwani is a great choice!
Available in red or black… These gloves have superb heat resistance without skimping on comfort and flexibility.
The inside is made of a soft polyester cotton, while the flame-retardant exterior is made of high quality aramid fiber.
To give you an exact number… They can withstand heat up to a scorching 1,472 degrees Fahrenheit (for up to 10 seconds at a time).
It is worth noting that these gloves aren’t waterproof, so they won’t protect your hands if hot liquid is spilled.
For secure grilling, these gloves also feature non-slip silicone strips to always ensure you have a firm grip on your other tools and accessories.
And when it comes time for cleanup, these gloves are conveniently machine washable.
Approximately 2,000 reviewers rated these gloves at 4.8 stars.
A lifetime warranty only adds to these gloves’ undeniable appeal.
At the time of writing, they cost $15.99.
Alpha Grillers Instant Read Meat Thermometer
Product Highlights
Price: $16.99
Max Temperature Reading: Can measure within one degree
Rating: 4.7
A meat thermometer is another must-have utensil for outdoor cooking.
For a thermometer with unmatched accuracy, precision, and efficiency… The Alpha Grillers Instant Read Meat Thermometer is at the top of the competition.
In just 2-3 seconds, this digital thermometer will give you accurate temperature reading (within one degree!) on a large, easy-to-read backlit dial.
It also features a useful meat temperature chart, so you can always feel confident that your food is perfectly cooked.
The entire thermometer is completely water resistant, which means it’ll be easy to clean after using.
And both a hook and built-in magnet mean you won’t have to worry about misplacing your thermometer!
Alpha Grillers covers their thermometer by a lifetime warranty.
And as for reviews, there are just under 45,000… With a 4.7 star average rating!
At the time of writing, it’s just $16.99 for this thermometer.
Etekcity Infrared Thermometer
Product Highlights
Price: $16.99
Max Temperature Reading: 842 degrees Fahrenheit
Rating: 4.6
Attention flat top grillers… Have you ever considered an infrared thermometer?
Unlike most traditional grills (which tend to have integrated thermometers), many flat top grills have no clear indication of just how hot they are.
But these “temp-guns” are a great workaround for this!
And the Etekcity infrared thermometer will measure cooking surface temps to a tee.
Simply point your infrared thermometer at your appliance, and it’ll give you an accurate reading of its total temp (between -58 to 842 degrees Fahrenheit).
For the best results, simply hold the thermometer about 14” away from the cooktop, press a button, and the temperature will display on a backlit digital display.
Currently, there’s just under 40,000 reviews for this product… And an average 4.6 star rating.
There’s a two year limited warranty on this thermometer… And at the time of writing, it costs $16.99.
Aoocan Grill Mat
Product Highlights
Price: $13.99 and $15.99
Max Sustained Temperature: 500 degrees Fahrenheit
Rating: 4.5
Here’s a grill accessory you may not have heard of before… But it may quickly become one of your favorites!
A big complaint our BBQers had was that smaller foods would often fall between their grill grates.
And that’s where Aoocan’s grill mat comes in!
Simply place this mat right on your grill’s cooktop, and it effectively transforms it into a pseudo-flat top with a nonstick surface.
This means you can cook stuff like veggies, eggs, and even pancakes right on your grill without worrying that they’ll fall through the grates.
It’s constructed fully with food-safe wood carbon, and can sustain temperatures up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
When you’re done grilling, Aoocan’s grill mat is easy to clean! Simply wash with water and leave it to dry… And you should be able to reuse it up to 100 times.
When it does eventually give out, you’ll have backups! These grill mats are sold in 5- or 6-piece sets.
Over 6,000 reviewers rated this product an average 4.5 stars.
At the time of writing, a 5-piece set costs $13.99, while a 6-piece set is $15.99.
Grillaholics Heavy Duty Grill Basket
Product Highlights
Price: $13.99 and $15.99
Warranty: Limited Lifetime Warranty
Rating: 4.7
If you’re not a fan of the grill mat… A grill basket may be a better fit.
And the Grillaholics basket in particular is a great tool for grilling veggies and other smaller foods that may otherwise slip through the grates.
It’ll work as a kamado, pellet, charcoal, or gas grill accessory… So no matter the type of grill you have, this should fit your needs.
This non-stick grill basket is made with thick gauge, heavy duty stainless steel to hold up to high heats.
And for easy cleanup, it’s dishwasher safe!
For even more peace of mind, there’s a limited lifetime warranty on Grillaholics products.
Currently, 3,547 happy homeowners have earned this BBQ grill accessory a 4.7 star rating.
At the time of writing, you can purchase it for $27.95.
Best place to use your grill accessories
Weber Cast Iron Griddle Attachment
Alright. If neither the grill mat nor the grill basket caught your attention, we have just one more option to keep your food from falling through the grates.
And that’s Weber’s cast iron griddle attachment!
Though it’s specifically designed for Weber grills, it would certainly work with other similarly sized appliances.
Again, this grill accessory can be placed directly on the grates of a charcoal, gas, or pellet grill.
The heavy-duty, porcelain-coated steel griddle is two-sided… With one flat side (for eggs, pancakes, and bacon), and one textured (for fish or veggies).
When it comes to maintenance, it’ll be just like cleaning a cast iron flat top grill! You’ll want to be sure the cooktop remains clean, dry, and seasoned to stave off rust.
Weber grill accessories are warranted for two years.
On Amazon, this cooking tool has a 4.6 star rating, with over 400 reviews!
At the time of writing, it’s priced at $85.99.
Coyote Wood Smoker Box Insert
Product Highlights
Price: $69.00
Materials: 304 stainless steel
Warranty: One year warranty
Looking to spruce up flavors while cooking on your gas grill?
Coyote’s wood smoker box makes achieving those coveted wood-fired flavors as easy as can be!
Simply fill it up with flavored wood chips, place it inside your gas grill, and enjoy tantalizingly smoky food once it’s done cooking.
That’s right… It’s as simple as that!
Coyote’s smoker box insert is compatible with any shape, size, or type of grill.
It’s made with durable 304 stainless steel, so it won’t rust or corrode over time!
As for coverage, Coyote’s smoker box is covered by a one year warranty.
At the time of writing, Coyote’s wood smoker box insert costs $69.00.
Coyote Charcoal Tray Grill Insert
Product Highlights
Price: $69.00
Materials: 304 stainless steel
Warranty: One year warranty
Similar to the previous option, Coyote also offers an accessory to transform your gas grill into a pseudo-charcoal smoker!
If you’re big on charcoal-smoked food… This is a great accessory to consider!
Though it’s specifically designed to fit 28” – 36” Coyote gas grills, it may work with other similarly sized models. (But if you are considering a grill upgrade, too… We’d strongly suggest checking out Coyote’s top-of-the-line selection!)
This charcoal tray sits below the cooking grates… And to ignite the charcoal, you’ll simply fire up your gas grill.
As with the previous option, this gas grill accessory features full, durable 304 stainless steel construction… And backed by a one year warranty.
Currently, there’s a 4.8 star rating on Amazon, with five reviews.
At the time of writing, this charcoal tray costs $169.00.
Char-Broil Universal Rotisserie
Rotisserie kits were another resoundingly popular choice among our interviewees… And we can’t say we’re surprised!
These make it easy to cook whole turkeys, chickens, and roasts right on the grill, to impart that delicious barbecued flavor.
Though many freestanding and built-in grill models may already come with an integrated rotisserie (or give you the option to upgrade)… This isn’t always the case.
That’s where rotisserie attachments come in!
Currently, the Char-Broil Universal Rotisserie attachment is a best seller on Amazon!
And don’t worry, you don’t need a Char-Broil grill to use this… It’ll fit on most any two to six burner grills.
Installation should be straightforward and quick, with mounts on both the lid and grates.
This stainless steel rotisserie rod is powered by an electric motor, for unstopping rotation… While two pronged forks will hold your meat securely in place.
We couldn’t find any info on the warranty, so it may be worth confirming this detail with Char-Broil directly!
At the time of writing, pricing is set at $38.70.
Weber RapidFire Chimney Starter
A high quality fire starter is an undeniably essential kamado or charcoal grill accessory.
The charcoal grill owners we spoke with singled out Weber’s chimney starter, specifically, as a fantastic tool to have on hand.
This provides an easy way to ignite your charcoal, without the need to use nasty chemicals or lighter fluids to speed up the process.
Weber’s chimney starter comes in two sizes: a large-capacity or a compact model.
The large capacity chimney starter can hold about five pounds of briquettes… And the compact design has about half that capacity, making it ideal for smaller grills.
Weber’s RapidFire chimney starters feature two sturdy, heat-resistant handles… Making it easy to safely pour lit charcoal into your grill.
The metal cylinder itself should be quite durable… It’s made with aluminized steel, which won’t rust over time!
A 4.8 star rating on just over 37,000 reviews backs up its quality.
As with the previous accessory from Weber we discussed, this tool is covered by a two year warranty.
At the time of writing, you can purchase the large capacity model for $27.59… While the smaller chimney starter is $18.99.
GrillArt Bristle Free Grill Brush & Scraper
Product Highlights
Price: $15.97
Materials: Reinforced stainless steel design
Rating: 4.3
We can all agree, grill cleaning is everyone’s least favorite part of the outdoor cooking experience.
But nonetheless, having a clean grill is essential… So you’ll want the right tools to get your grates looking good as new after each cook.
Every griller we spoke with agreed, grill brushes are a must-have for getting stuck-on grime and other nasty leftovers off your grill.
And as for the best grill brush? Well, GrillArt offers a high quality grill scraper and brush cleaning tool to expedite the maintenance process.
This isn’t your average grill cleaner. It features a safe, bristle-free brush, constructed of looped wires… Which is soft enough to prevent scratching, but tough enough to budge even the worst grime buildup.
The heat-resistant, non-slip handle measures in at 17,” so you can stay away from the hot cooktop… And its reinforced stainless steel design means that you can put in maximum elbow grease without worrying about the brush snapping in two.
And let’s not forget about the integrated grill scraper, perfect for those seemingly impossible to remove stains!
We couldn’t find any info on the warranty, though GrillArt claims it’s long lasting and rust-proof.
And just over 8,600 reviewers have rated this tool an average 4.3 stars, which should speak to its quality.
At the time of writing, GrillArt’s grill brush costs $15.97.
Coyote Ceramic Briquette Gas Grill Insert
Lastly, let’s talk about another gas grill accessory from Coyote.
A big issue many gas grillers encounter is uneven heating across their grill’s cooktop… And Coyote has come up with an ingenious workaround for this with their ceramic briquette inserts!
These flame tamers come in a variety of sizes… And can fit grills as small as 28,” or up to 50.”
So, how does this work, exactly?
Well, the ceramic briquettes are evenly spaced… Allowing for heat to be evenly distributed across the grill’s entire cooktop, with no pesky hot (or cold) spots.
It’ll ensure consistent temperatures for the entire duration of your grilling sessions.
Again, this insert is best suited for use with Coyote grills.
Like the other Coyote accessories on our list, this product features heavy duty 304 stainless steel construction… And is warranted for one year.
It may only have two ratings on Amazon… But both reviewers left five stars!
At the time of writing, you can purchase these briquette flame tamers for $229.00 (for a 34” grill).
A Grill Station for Your Accessories
Alright… At this point, you should have a better feel for which barbeque grill accessories deserve a spot in your outdoor space.
But before you get to shopping… There’s just one final BBQ tool left to discuss!
We covered a lot of great gadgets… But an outdoor kitchen is arguably the best grill accessory of all.
Why’s that?
Well, first and foremost… It’ll provide a secure spot for outdoor grill accessory storage, conveniently located right beside your appliances.
This means you won’t have to haul your tools back inside after a long day of grilling… And you’ll never have to run to your indoor kitchen halfway through a cook because you forgot something.
You’ll also get ample prep room… So you can carry out every stage of the cooking process entirely outdoors!
And as for our personal favorite feature? Outdoor kitchens provide the perfect setting for hosting and entertaining al fresco.
With an outdoor kitchen bar, you can enjoy your guests’ company, even as you stay on top of your grilling duties.
If this all appeals to you… The best place for more info is our Learning Hub!
Here, you’ll find tons of content on all things outdoor living.
And if you’re more of a visual learner… Check out our free design tool! This’ll allow you to create a 3D rendering of your ideal outdoor kitchen design, in just a few short minutes.
If you do decide to take the next step… We’ll be here from start to finish to make sure every last detail is squared away!
But for now, we won’t keep you any longer… We know you’re eager to get to grilling!
Need Help With Your Plans?
FAQ
At the very least, you should have a spatula and tongs for cooking, a grill brush and scraper for cleaning, heat resistant grilling gloves, and a reliable meat thermometer.
No matter what type of grill you have, these are often considered the most essential grilling tools.
A grill topper, also known as a grill mat, is a handy grilling accessory that you place directly on the grates to keep smaller foods from falling through and burning to a crisp.
These effectively turn any type of grill into a makeshift flat top!
