A few good tools and accessories can make all the difference in grilling success. These Best Grilling Tools and Accessories are on my hit list to ensure great results every time. They are simple and some can be made simply at home.
I often am emailed for suggestions on tools I use in the kitchen and on the grill. With Memorial Day weekend and Father’s Day coming up I wanted to share some of the best grilling tools and accessories I’ve found and use regularly.
Double and Flat Skewers
I have a big grilling pet peeve: spinning shish kabobs. Have you had that experience? Creating a delicious skewer only to have it twirl around as your try to grill each side. The meat sticks to the grill, it’s impossible to evenly grill each side. One way to solve this problem is using two bamboo skewers as with these Grilled Thai Shrimp-Pineapple Skewers (and as you’ll read I don’t soak my skewers!). The other options are double skewers or these flat skewers. Once all ingredients are threaded onto the skewer they stay in place. The skewers can be easily rotated and grilled evenly.
Grill Shield
I stopped soaking my bamboo skewers after learning of an experiment that showed soaked skewers and unsoaked skewers will burn after the same amount of time. Instead I use a grill shield which protects the ends of the bamboo skewers from burning. This Stainless Grill Shield for Skewers is great as it has notches for the skewers to rest in. Also, you can fashion a homemade version from heavy duty foil.
Charcoal Chimney Starter
Have you ever tried to start charcoal with wads of newspaper only to have the paper turn to ashes and the charcoal sits on top black and refusing to burn? Or on a breezy day not being able to keep a flame lit? Want a way to avoid smelly starter fluid? Charcoal Chimney Starters are magic for this. The charcoal is added to the top of the chimney and newspaper wadded underneath (there is a perforated division separating the inside of the chimney). Once the flames are visible out of the top the coals are ready and poured into the grill (I use a classic Weber kettle) to start grilling. Starter cubes are also handy as are grill lighters.
Ash Hoe
This long-handled ash hoe was one of my first purchases after Barbecue University. It’s a perfect tool to arrange charcoal or wood chips without risking burning thanks to the long handle.
Long Grilling Gloves
When working with a grill or smoker, having a pair of heavy duty long grilling gloves is a must. I’ve found especially if I’m making more complicated recipes like Hay Smoked Salmon Burgers where I’m putting things on and off the grill, these gloves ensure no risk of burning to hands or forearms.
Grill Brush
A key to creating delicious grilled goods is starting with a clean, oiled grill. After heating the grill, it needs to be thoroughly brushed with a quality wire grill to remove any old food particles and to create a clean surface. Once brushed clean the grill should be oiled which I do by dousing a folded paper towel with olive oil that I again use the brush to wipe the towel on the grill grates.
Instant Read Thermometer
Checking the internal temperature of meat is the only way to be sure it has cooked to the preferred doneness and meets recommended safety standards. Internal meat temperatures will continue to rise when taken off the grill, up to 10 degrees, which can mean the difference between rare and medium, or medium to over done. Quick decisions on the grill are key to cook everything properly without over cooking and instant read thermometers are the only way to do this successfully in my opinion.
Lisa Favre says
I should actually make long grilling gloves high on the priority list. This is something I would have never thought of but it would make grilling so much easier this summer!
Kelly Hutchinson says
I have never seen grill gloves before. I think my husband would love a pair.
Sarah says
This is a great list. The one grilling tool that I couldn’t live without is my basting brush, our grilled meat would be flavorless without it. We used to use a paintbrush (hardly sanitary) but than I bought an actual grilling basting brush…night and day difference.
Valerie says
You have a lot of great ideas here. Now that Memorial Day is just about here anything and everything that has to do it really I’m all about. I love to grill in one of my favorite things to grill kebabs.
Jeanette says
I never thought about putting a grill shield on my grill when I’m cooking with kebab sticks. That is ingenious! I am totally doing that next time I grill.
Jen Rattie says
We need that chimney starter. It’s such a pain in the butt to get a fire going at times. Thanks for these picks!
Toni Dash says
It’s a life changer, seriously. AND they last forever. Even if they rust they still work great.
Audrey McClelland says
I think my husband already has a couple of these, so I know they’re great picks. He could definitely use the chimney starter.
Colleen Lanin says
You cannot have a grill and not have a grill brush. I mean, unless you love the taste of a season’s worth of char, that is. Great picks.
Toni Dash says
LOL! Also I think an unclean grill encourages flare ups that I personally like to avoid!
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
I need to show this to my husband! He’s an uber griller, and I he could use all of these. Thanks!
Toni Dash says
Please do Stacie! And if he has any tools he loves, I’d love to hear about them too.
Robin Rue says
Grilling gloves are a MUST! We have a gas grill, so I never would have thought about things like an ash catcher.