All the Grilling Tools and Utensils I Actually Use
Summer and outdoor eating go hand in hand, but picking the right grill is only part of the equation. The real secret to better backyard cooking? Having the right gear. While essentials like spatulas, tongs and a solid grill brush are nonnegotiable, a few smart grilling gadgets and prep tools can seriously upgrade your cookout game. We've tested a bunch and found a handful that are actually worth the drawer space.
If your grilling tools have gotten rusted, crusted or flimsy in any way, now's the time to replenish your set before summer's end.
Below you'll find 19 great grilling tools I actually use all summer.
Best grilling tools for 2025
Cuisinart
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Cuisinart
Because the sauce is everything
Basting brush
For super saucy barbecue chicken and ribs, a basting brush is key. You don't need anything fancy and opt for natural fibers over silicone if you're worried about microplastics. I also prefer a smaller brush since they're less likely to result in a splattered mess.
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$5 at Amazon
Bambusi
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Bambusi
A board made for meats
Cutting board with juice groove
Not all cutting boards are created equal and this smartly designed block is perfect for grill masters. The sturdy bamboo board sports treads on one side to stabilize slick meats and a juice groove to catch all that liquid gold for basting or making sauce.
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$25 at Amazon
$15 at Walmart
Opinel
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Opinel
A smartly designed tool trio
Opinel Grilling Tools
This is the biggest splurge pick on our list but the dashing Opinel set is well worth the price. The smartly designed 3-in-2 set includes a set of extremely sturdy tongs and a shark slicing and utility knife that flips down to make way for a spatula attachment when you need to flip.
The Opinel set makes a most excellent gift for the grillin' guy or gal in your life.
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$130 at Amazon
Amazon
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Amazon
Because you gotta cover it
Grillman grill cover
Your gill cover doesn't need to be fancy but you should definitely have one. It'll extend the life of the grill itself and keep it looking like new for longer. This universal cover is just $27 and it's worth every penny if you don't already have one.
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$30 at Walmart
Dreamfarm
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Dreamfarm
The baste in the business
No-mess silicone brush
For basting sauce to go on your chicken and ribs, silicone is the way to go. The bristles will rinse clean in seconds so it'll be ready for action the next time you need it. Dreamfarm's clever version has a kink in the handle so you can rest it on a table without making a saucy mess.
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$15 at Amazon
Weber
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Weber
Sturdy tools with extra inches
Weber Precision 3-piece grilling set
If you don't need extra light via your grill tools, then I say go for something sturdy that'll last you many seasons. You can definitely find cheaper grilling tools out there, but Weber's three-piece set is worth the extra few bucks and was my personal favorite.
What I liked most about these -- especially the tongs and spatula -- is the length. If you work with a full-size grill, you know that stubby kitchen tools just don't quite get where you need them unless you put your forearm at serious burn risk. Each Weber tool in this small yet mighty set has a comfy handle and hook with which to hang 'em. Plus, the spatula has a sharp edge that you can use to slice and dice while you're working. If you don't leave these sturdy grilling compadres out in the rain, they'll definitely last you a good long time.
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Get it now $47 at Weber
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For perfect meats
ThermoWorks Thermapen
ThermoWorks' Thermapen is about as accurate as meat thermometers get, and for certain types of barbecue or when cooking expensive steaks, that's rather important. Take this temp taker anywhere you flip meat: your deck grill, a campsite, even your Sunday tailgate party. Its portability makes it stupidly simple to accurately measure the internal temperature of your meat, wherever. There are plenty of knockoffs and cheaper versions of the Thermapen, but if you're serious about your internal meat temps, it's worth the extra coin.
I also tested several WiFi-enabled smart thermometers, including the Yummly and Meater. I liked them both and they get points for accuracy as well as for providing loads of information, such as temperature tracking and some useful grilling tips. But you have to do all your temp reading from a smartphone, which proved either annoying or convenient depending on my mood.
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Get it now $89 at Thermapen
Wayfair
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Wayfair
Get in and out with ease
Grill caddy
You know that moment, when the grilling is finished and you look around at all the sauce bottles, spices and utensils and say, "What the heck just happened here?" A grill caddy will make it all go away with one breezy trip back to the kitchen. I didn't know how badly I needed one of these until I got one, and this lightweight caddy with a built-in paper towel rack is my pick.
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Get it now $27 at Wayfair
BBQ Guys
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BBQ Guys
If you're going "no-basket"
Big Head fish spatula
If you don't want to bother with a fish grilling basket, at least saddle yourself with a proper spatula for fish. It'll help more than you might think and you can use it for anything, not just fish. This excellent and sturdy spatula is a bargain for $7 with its razor-sharp front edge that'll get right under those salmon and tuna filets without shredding them to bits.
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Get it now $6 at BBQGuys
Grillaholics
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Grillaholics
Perfect for charring veggies without the mess
Grillaholics large grill basket
With a grilling basket, you can easily and quickly grill your veggies and give them that smoky, slightly charred taste and perfect texture without the hassle of having to pick one piece up at a time. If you don't want to spring for this basket, you can always place a piece of chicken wire mesh on top of your grill so you can easily char foods that normally might fall through, like cherry tomatoes and other smaller vegetables or pieces of meat.
Grill mats are another option, but they can get real nasty real fast. Also, they don't let the flames hit the food directly so you're less likely to get a nice char.
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$30 at Amazon
BBQ Guys
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BBQ Guys
A do-it-all prep station
Drip EZ prep tub
If you're not marinating your meat, you should be. Maybe it's because you don't have the right vessel to do it in. This collapsible prep tub is light and easy to clean. It doubles as a cutting board and triples as a bus bucket for dirty dishes after.
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$48 at Amazon
$61 at Walmart
Grillaholics
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Grillaholics
Grillaholics grill mats
Another way to grill flaky or sticky foods such as fish and veggies is on a mat. Don't expect grill marks or char when you use one of these fireproof nonstick mats, but do expect a spotless grill when you're done.
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$20 at Amazon
BBQ Dragon
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BBQ Dragon
Shed some light on the situation
BBQ Dragon grill lamp
Lights don't come standard on most grills and there's a good chance your grill is positioned somewhere without great direct lighting. If that's the case, a flexible lamp that attaches to the frame will make those late-evening and nighttime barbecue sessions far more enjoyable. The BBQ Dragon double light gives off plenty of glow but it's not so large that it'll get in your way. The two-headed approach means you can get bright light on both the grill surface and whatever is waiting beside it to go on next.
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Get it now $45 at Wayfair
Cuisinart
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Cuisinart
So you never lose track of your drink
Cuisinart magnetic drink holder
So simple, yet somehow I didn't think of it myself.
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$19 at Amazon
Weber
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Weber
Take your food to Flavor Town
Weber smoker box
Wood chips are an easy way to add substantial flavor to any grilled food, and work equally well on gas and charcoal grills. To use them you will need a box to hold the wood so they don't catch fire, but it's simple: Just place the box on top of the heat source -- on the gas burner or directly on the charcoal -- and they should start smoking and flavoring your food with whatever type of chips you've chosen. Weber's version is a good size for most grills and it's got a nice sturdy build.
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Get it now $33 at Home Depot
BBQ Guys
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BBQ Guys
For even tastier barbecue
BBQGuys meat injector
If you're mostly a strip steak and burger griller you may not need a meat injector, but if you attempt the occasional rib roast, pork shoulder, brisket or thick steaks, this is the best way to get flavor all the way up in there. Use your favorite marinade or sauce and pump that good stuff in with this sturdy model that includes three different needles.
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Get it now $32 at BBQGuys
BBQ Guys
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BBQ Guys
A scraper that's easy on the grates
Wooden grill scraper
A wooden grill scraper may take just a little more muscle, but it also has some distinct advantages over its wire counterparts. It will go a little easier on your cast-iron or porcelain grates. It'll also shape itself to the grooves of your grill over time, and the scraper itself won't collect as much gunk as a wire brush. Plus, this one with a long handle to get some good leverage is just $20.
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$20 at Amazon
$19 at Walmart
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