11 Best Grilling Tools to Stock Up for the Summer

If there was a noise that marked the beginning of summer, what would it be? Kids splashing in a pool, or maybe the crack of a bat at a baseball stadium? Personally, I think it would be the sizzle of food cooking on the grill. I can’t help but associate warm weather with endless evening cookouts, surrounded by my friends and family—aka my happy place.

To prepare for grilling season and pull off amazing barbecues, you’ll want to stock up on essentials that’ll help you step up your grilling game. Here are some of my hands-down favorite grilling items from handy tools to helpful accessories that you’ll want to snag before the season gets into full swing—rest assured that they'll sell out quickly once summer is here.

1. Everdure CUBE Portable Charcoal Grill, $199

First up, an actual grill. This beauty of this Everdure charcoal grill is that it's compact and portable, making it great for any space, any time. But don't let the size fool you—it has enough space to grill four burger patties at once and comes with a slew of useful accessories, like a removable storage tray, a bamboo prep board, and an interior tray to hold charcoal.

2. FlipFork Boss, $22.99

For big-batch grilling, you need a large, versatile spatula like the FlipFork Boss. This 5-in-1 tool does it all: It has a fork for lifting meat, a sharp knife-edge for slicing, a serrated edge for tenderizing tough cuts, and even a bottle opener; it’s basically the Swiss Army Knife of grilling tools. Made from stainless steel with an attractive acacia wood handle, it even comes with a lifetime warranty.

3. OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Grilling Tool Set, $31.98

Even if you buy nothing else for your grill, you’re going to need a high-quality set of tools to flip, rotate, and otherwise tend to your food. This grilling tool set from OXO includes a durable stainless-steel turner for flipping burgers and a set of tongs for grabbing hot dogs and opening a cold one—yep, it even comes with a built-in bottle opener. But truly the best part? The set comes with a silicone resting tray so the tools and your grill station stay clean.

4. ThermoWorks Thermapen, $83

The secret to great grilling? A fast, reliable instant-read thermometer. The Thermapen in particular is a favorite among many cooks, thanks to its fast readings, large display, and superior accuracy. In fact, Barbara “Babs” Costello, social media personality, viral TikTok star, and author of Celebrate with Babs: Holiday Recipes & Family Traditions, has had her Thermapen for about a decade. The Thermapen comes in a rainbow of pretty colors, and lets you temp food in just a few seconds, allowing you to close the grill lid faster and minimize heat loss.

5. Barebones Living Grill Skewers, $20

There’s nothing you can’t grill with these handy stainless steel skewers. Vegetables, kebabs, chicken satay—it’s all fair game. The metal saves you from having to soak the skewers like you would with wood, and the hooked ends make them easy to rotate, pick up off the heat, and hang for storage.

6. Weber Gourmet Pizza Stone, $63.59 $59.49

No pizza oven? No problem. This handy pizza stone is designed to be used right on your grill, and delivers an amazingly crispy crust. The secret’s in the 13-inch cordierite stone, which helps absorb moisture while the pizza is cooking. Bonus: The stone comes with a carry rack that makes it easy to move your pizza from grill to table.

7. OXO Grill Basting Pot & Brush Set, $24.99

Keep extra marinade or BBQ sauce within reach with this convenient basting pot and brush set. The stainless steel pot can hold up to 18 ounces of your choice, and features an easy-grip handle and silicone lid that will keep bugs out. Plus, its coordinating brush has angled silicone bristles that deliver the perfect amount of marinade to your meat, minimizing splatter and mess.

8. Grill Rescue BBQ Scraper Cleaning Head, $39.95

Cleaning stuck-on food and grease off the grill grates is a thankless job, but this tool makes it much easier. Market editor Jada Wong prefers this cleaning pad over a traditional bristle brush because there are no metal bits that can find their way into the grill or onto your food. The sponge-like head is replaceable, too.

9. Wildwood Grilling Grill Planks, $20+

Grill planks are an easy way to infuse more flavor into your favorite foods, whether it’s fish, steak, or vegetables. This sampler pack includes planks made from five different types of wood: Western red cedar, alder, maple, cherry, and hickory. All you have to do is soak the plank for an hour and put it right onto your grill with food on top. Easy, right?

10. Boska Cheese Barbeclette, $12

The only thing that can make an expertly cooked hamburger even better is a layer of melted cheese. These mini nonstick raclette pans are just the right size to melt your fave cheese, and they come with a spatula to help slide the goodness right onto your burger. If using a cheese raclette while grilling is wrong, we don’t want to be right.

11. BK Grilling Outdoor Cookware Collection, $50+

For smaller cuts of meat or vegetables that'd otherwise fall through the grill grates, these carbon steel pieces can help. Whether you go for the fry pan, roaster, or grill tray, you’ll be able to put them right onto the grill without worrying about losing half your meal to the coals.

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This post was updated April 2022 with more grilling essentials.

What are your must-have grilling tools? Tell us in the comments!

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