The Best BBQ Tools and Accessories for the Ultimate Grill Master

There’s nothing quite like the sizzle of meat on a hot grill, with the wafting scent of smoke and seasoning in the air, and the camaraderie of friends and family gathered around for a backyard feast. But behind every unforgettable barbecue is a grill master armed with the right tools for the job. When those tools are personalized cooking utensils, it can make the experience even more meaningful for everyone.

Whether you’re a seasoned pitmaster or a backyard BBQ enthusiast, having the proper equipment not only enhances your cooking experience but also elevates your results for those tasting your work. The right tools make grilling safer, more efficient, and far more enjoyable. There are plenty of ways to get better results through the right BBQ tools and accessories, and some might help you out more than others.

Grill Tongs: A Go-To Gripper

No barbecue toolkit is complete without a solid pair of long-handled grill tongs. Tongs allow you to flip your steaks efficiently, rotate veggies properly, and move food around without puncturing or piercing the meat – which causes juice loss. There are a number of things to look for when trying to identify the perfect set of grilling tongs for your needs. Look for stainless steel tongs because they will last much longer, and they should have a comfortable, non-slip grip. Make sure they have some sort of locking mechanism for easy storage, and should be a minimum of 16 inches long to keep your hands away from the heat.

Speaking of stainless steel, look for metal skewers. They’re reusable, easy to clean, and great for grilling meat, veggies, shrimp, or even fruit. Look for flat skewers as they prevent food from spinning when you turn them.

Spatulas: Start Flipping Like a Pro

For things like burgers, fish, and other delicate items, a BBQ spatula is essential. Look for one with a wide, slotted head that can support the weight of your food without flexing too much at the handle. Ideally for barbecuing, the blade of the spatula should be made of stainless steel. It’s still metal so it conducts heat, meaning a must-have feature is a heat-resistant handle. A pro tip is to look for a spatula with a beveled edge for easy sliding under food.

Brushes & Thermometers: Get It Just Right

Whether you’re slathering on a thick BBQ sauce or a delicate marinade, a basting brush is a necessity that will help you apply flavors more evenly and efficiently. Select silicone brushes for easy cleaning and heat resistance, but choose natural bristle brushes for better sauce absorption. Note that the bristle brushes will wear out faster.

Even the most experienced grill master can’t rely on guesswork alone. A digital meat thermometer ensures your food is safely and perfectly cooked every time. A must-have feature for your digital thermometer is instant-read capability – which will give you an accurate temperature in 2-3 seconds. You may also need a backlit display for nighttime grilling, and make sure to cover your bases by getting a thermometer with a wide temperature range. For the more advanced, there are also wireless or Bluetooth meat thermometers that allow you to monitor temperatures remotely. This can be especially helpful for those that are multitasking or doing slow cooks.

Safety Should Come First

Grilling involves high heat, open flames, and that leads to hot tools. Heat-resistant gloves are an important part of any grill master’s arsenal, as they protect your hands while adjusting vents, flipping skewers, or moving hot grates. Look for gloves that have a high heat tolerance (up to 932°). They should also be made of flexible material for dexterity, and have longer cuffs to protect your forearms.

Just because the sun is setting doesn’t mean grilling should have to end. For those sessions that go past sunset, a grill light is an important safety feature that shouldn’t be overlooked. As obvious as this sounds, the grill light lets you see what’s going on after dark, and is important to getting food prepared properly during evening cookouts or winter grilling. Look for one with a magnetic base or a clamp-on design, and consider LED lighting, as well. If it’s an individual lamp, make sure the neck is adjustable for targeting specific grill zones.

Keeping Every Part of Your Grill Clean

A clean grill is a safe and efficient grill. Grill brushes or scrapers are vital tools to help remove stuck-on food and charred debris that could impact the flavor or even cause flare-ups. When choosing these tools for your grill, there are a few options to choose from. Wire-bristle brushes are an old favorite, and are still very popular because of their effectiveness. However, you can opt for coil brushes or nylon scrubbers if you’re concerned about bristle shedding. Coil brushes or nylon scrubbers are also safer for porcelain-coated grates.

How you start your grill also needs to remain clean. For those who prefer the taste of charcoal, a chimney starter is an essential accessory. It allows you to ignite the charcoal more quickly and evenly – without using lighter fluid. Not only does lighter fluid taint the flavor, but it also makes the ignition process much more unpredictable and unsafe. It lights the coals in 15-20 minutes, and no chemicals are needed.

Stepping Up: Rotisserie Kits & Smoker Boxes

Take your barbecue to the next level with a rotisserie kit. It’s perfect for slow-cooking whole chickens, roasts, or ribs evenly while keeping meat juicy. You have to consider the rotisserie kit’s compatibility with your grill, so do your research. It should also have a sturdy motor – whether it’s battery or electric – and should have a balanced spit rod with counterweights.

If you love the flavor of smoked meats but don’t have a smoker, a smoker box gives you that rich, smoky flavor using wood chips right on a gas or charcoal grill. Once again, you’ll want to look for the reliable and durable stainless-steel construction. It should also have a hinged lid for easy chip refills and perforated holes to release the smoke.

At the Diner: Burger Press & Grill Basket

If you’re grilling for a large amount of people, or even just the few members of your family, how things are presented can go a long way in how they’re enjoyed. If hamburgers are one of your go-to grilling items, then a burger press is a must-have. A burger press is a tool that gives you consistent, evenly-shaped burger patties every time. It can also help you get more creative with your burgers, making it easier to stuff the patties with cheese or other fillings.

Grill baskets are perfect for cooking smaller items that might fall through the grates. These can be anything from sliced veggies to seafood items to diced meat. Ideally, this will also be made of stainless steel or another non-stick type of surface. For flip baskets, you want to make sure to have a locking lid to avoid mishaps. The basket should also have an ample surface area.

Complete BBQ Tool Kit: An All-in-One Option

For beginners or gift-givers, a comprehensive BBQ tool set can be a great option. These ready-made sets usually include the basic tools to get you started, such as things like tongs, spatulas, forks, and brushes. Some sets also include extras like skewers or even corn holders. Be sure to shop around to make sure you find the set that checks most of your boxes. Make sure to select a set that offers quality over quantity, as well as a sturdy carrying case. Again, find a kit that offers durable, stainless steel tools.

Outside of the usual tools, there are a few other things that every grill master might need to complete their grilling kit. One important piece is the BBQ apron. Look the part while keeping your clothes clean. Aprons also have pockets for your tools and loops for towels, adding both style and utility to your setup. Keep the area under your grill clean with a grill mat. Placing that under the grill will catch grease and spills, protecting your deck and patio. It’s especially useful for renters or those with composite decking.

Get Equipped and Grill

The difference between a good grill session and some legendary barbecue can often times come down to the proper preparation. That starts with having the right tools before you even fire up the grill. There are a lot of grilling tools out there, so it’s important to find the combination that works for your specific needs. From essentials like tongs and thermometers to accessories like smoker boxes and rotisserie kits, every item can play a role in mastering the art of the grill.

By investing in quality equipment, maintaining it well, and taking the time to learn how to use each tool effectively, your food (and all of your guests) will thank you. For more information on the wide variety of grilling tools out there, reach out to the experts at LoTech Sales today.