10 Must Have Grill Tools

Even the most seasoned grill maestro is in need of new grill tools. Sure, you can get along without them, but why not take advantage of the following 10 grilling tools to ensure that your outdoor cooking is always successful. The following gadgets are a must in any grilling experts toolbox.


10. Grill Brush: This grilling tool is a necessity for any outdoor cook. A grill brush will keep your cooking grate clean and food tasting great. When shopping for a grill brush look for a sturdy, preferably metal, handle and stiff metal bristles. Some brushes come with bristles on one side, and steel wool on the other. Unfortunately if you clean a hot cooking grate with steel wool, it burns right up. Most people perfer to clean the grate when hot, so a brush with steel wool is really unnecessary. A good grill brush will cost from $6 to $20. Weber has a couple of good models for under $12.

9. Apron: Any serious outdoor chef needs the proper gear, and this is at the top of the list. When shopping for a bbq apron keep the following in mind: Functionality, Durability, and Adjustability. Functionality is the most important aspect of an apron; look for one that has front pockets large enough to hold your favorite seasonings. Also the apron has to be large enough to protect a cooks clothes from splashes and stray coals. An apron should made of a heavy duty canvas type material. Avoid those aprons that are made of thin cotton. Many aprons have adjustable waist and neck straps which make the apron sizable for different household users. You can find a good apron for $10 to $25.

8. Basting Brush: An indispensable grilling accessory is a good basting brush. Many models are available, but there are basically two things to look for when purchasing a brush, bristle type and handle construction. When all of the fancy words are stripped away there are two basic types of bristles, silicon and non-silicone. Silicone brushes are very durable, but don't hold in the sauce very good. If you purchase a silicone brush you will find yourself brushing twice as much to dispense half of the sauce. The non-silicone brushes hold in more marinade, but wear out in a shorter amount of time. When purchasing a basting brush look for one that has a long handle that is comfortable to hold. These brushes can be purchased for under $20.

7. Grill Cover: Of all the bbq grill tools this one may be the most important to protect your investment. A barbecue grill can be a rather large purpose that needs to be protected from the elements. When purchasing a grill cover look for one that is the same shape and size of your grill. If possible find one that is designed for your specific grill model. If the cover is too large the wind will tear away at the loose sides, and it is easy for it to be blow off. If the cover is too small it won't be sufficient to protect the whole grill. A grill cover will cost from $10 to $50.

6. Propane Gauge: If you have ever run out of propane in the middle of cooking a meal on your gas grill you will understand the importance of this grill gadget. There are two types of models, those that are inline and those that aren't. The inline models can run up to $40, but give a constant gauge of the amount of propane left in the tank. The outline models are as cheap as $10, but need to be hooked up and taken off each time they are used.

5. Rib Rack: Of all the bbq grilling tools this is the most necessary in the repertoire of a serious barbecue cook. This allows an outdoor chef to cook multiple, up to 5, racks of ribs on a single grill with out stacking them. Because the ribs are cooked without touching they come off the grill looking beautiful. This little gadget also allows the ribs to cook more evenly than stacking. A rib rack grill accessory will run from $10 to $30 dollars

4. Spatula: This tool for grilling is found in most all grilling tool sets. Some think that a spatula is a spatula, but this cooking utensil can make or break your meal, especially if burgers or fish are involved. Look with a spatula with a tapered end that is easy to slide under fish and a handle that is long enough to keep your hands away from the heat, but not so long that it is hard to handle. Don't be afraid to forgo the spatula in the grilling tool set and purchase a single one separately; a good one will run anywhere from $10 to $35.

3. Thermometer: Of all the tools for grilling this may be the most under used. Many backyard chefs own a thermometer, but for some reason don't use it. This gadget is the key to roasting on the grill and preventing under or over cooking your food. There are digital and dial models available for very reasonable prices. A thermometer will run from $5 to $45. The upper models have digital remote controls that you can insert into the meat and clip a small receiver to your belt that will ring when the internal temperature reaches your preference. With this tool your roasts and birds will come out perfect every time.

2. Locking Tongs: These are a variation of the regular tongs. They have a locking mechanism near the hinge which allows the user to decide how far to let them open. They are not much more expensive than regular tongs and range from $8 to $25. When looking to purchase a pair of these tongs look for a sturdy stainless steel construction and durable hinge. Wood handles seem to wear quickly and can be slippery when wet, so look for a slip resistant handle for maximum control.

1. Rotisserie Attachment: Of all the barbecue grill tools this is the most costly, and frankly the most fun. Rotisserie attachments are available for both gas and charcoal model barbecues. They can run from $40 to $250. When shopping for a rotisserie attachment look at durability and size. It is important to find one that fits nicely on your grill, so have your grill measurements and model number handy when shopping. Check all rotisserie parts for durability; by purchasing a high quality stainless steel model you will guarantee many years of grilling bliss.