The 30 Essential BBQ Tools You Need

Updated: Jul. 28, 2023

These BBQ tools will enhance your favorite meals

Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.

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Magnetic Barbecue Light Set

Still need to install some outdoor lighting? Add these magnetic barbecue lights to your grill to help you cook dinner in the dark. The lights work on most grills, except those made from stainless steel. They have a flexible neck so they can be adjusted to give off light right where you need it.

Photo: Courtesy of Amazon

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Wood Grill Scraper with Bottle Opener

Tune up your gas grill and clean the grates with a wood grill scrapper. With wood scrapers, you don’t run the risk of losing a wire bristle in your food. This model is made from cedar and even comes with a leather grip and bottle opener handle. Keep it in your new grill caddy.

Photo: Courtesy of Amazon

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GrillTime app
Photo: Courtesy of GrillTime

GrillTime app

In today's digital world, there's no need to tote around big, heavy cookbooks for information about grilling temperatures, times, etc. Now there's an app for that! The GrillTime app is available for the iPhone and Apple Watch and provides grillers with important instructions, guidelines and flip reminders at their fingertips.
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Grilling Apron

Keep all your grilling tools handy with this professional grade chef apron. The heavy-weight material is machine washable and has four pockets and a towel loop.

Photo: Courtesy of Amazon

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Stok LED Grill Light
Photo: Courtesy of Stok

Stok LED Grill Light

Perfect for late-night grilling sessions, the versatile Stok LED Grill Light can be mounted on any metal surface with its magnetic base. The cordless light also features two different power sources: three AAA batteries or one rechargeable Ryobi Tek4 lithium-ion battery.
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Stainless Steel Skewers

Instead of bamboo skewers, try these stainless steel skewers for kebabs and grilling vegetables.

Photo: Courtesy of Amazon

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Weber iGrill 3

The Weber iGrill 3, which is compatible with the brand's Genesis II and Genesis II LX gas grills, allows you to closely monitor your food so you get perfect results every time. The Bluetooth-enabled device supports up to four probes and sends information such as food temperature, cook time and even propane tank levels to your smartphone or tablet via the Weber iGrill app.
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Shredder Claws

Considering a smoker? You’ll want a pair of these shredder tools for pulled pork and chicken. Shredder Claws have a bear paw shape so you can easily pick up hot food without burning your hands.

Photo: Courtesy of Amazon

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Lighter Cubes

Don’t have a charcoal chimney starter? Try these lighter cubes. This set from Weber comes with 24 cubes that will light even when wet. They are also odorless and smokeless.

Photo: Courtesy of Amazon

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Grilling Floor Mat

Protect your new patio from ugly stains. This under-grill mat is fire retardant and flame resistant. The mat will protect your deck, patio or lawn from spills and grill legs.

Photo: Courtesy of Amazon

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GoSun Grill
Photo: Courtesy of GoSun

GoSun Grill

Tired of being tied to fuels such as charcoal and propane for grilling? The GoSun Grill harnesses solar power to grill, fry, steam, bake and broil all types of food outdoors. Its unique design features a vacuum tube that cooks food quickly, reaching temps of up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit, and provides a compact, easily portable shape.
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Baking Mat

Grill late into the fall and winter with a set of baking mats. The mats will give you the grill lines you’re looking for and help prevent small pieces of food from falling through the grates. These heavy-duty non-stick mats work for most grills and have a five-star rating on Amazon.

Photo: Courtesy of Amazon

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Lynx SmartGrill
Photo: Courtesy of Lynx

Lynx SmartGrill

Available in a variety of built-in and freestanding options, the Lynx SmartGrill features professional cooking capabilities and high-tech bells and whistles that make grilling even more fun. Using voice commands or the Lynx SmartGrill app, at-home chefs can select meals and be assisted through the entire grilling process, eliminating all guesswork and turning a newbie into a grill master.
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Burger Press

Make perfectly sized burgers for your next tailgate party with the ultimate burger press. The press can also be used to make stuffed burgers.

Photo: Courtesy of Amazon

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Looftlighter
Photo: Courtesy of Looftlighter

Looftlighter

Start your charcoal grill or fire pit with the Looftlighter and never handle dangerous lighter fluid again! This safe electric lighter uses heated air—not flames or gas—to start a fire in 60 seconds. In addition, the durable casing is cool to the touch in just a few seconds, so you won't burn yourself after you light your grill.
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Cuisinart Nonstick Reusable Grilling Sheets

When you think of grilling tools, grate-covering sheets may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but these Cuisinart Nonstick Reusable Grilling Sheets will give you a whole new way of cooking with your grill. Cook eggs, chopped veggies, pancakes and more while preserving the delicious flavor (and sear marks) of the grill. Wash these sheets on the top shelf of your dishwasher and reuse them again and again.
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Digital Meat Thermometer with Wireless Remote

This waterproof digital meat thermometer with wireless remote from Valoin is a high-tech grilling tool you’ll want this season. Monitor your food even when you have to step away. The thermometer can also be used for your oven. One reviewer noted that the thermometer worked flawlessly, adding “It was very easy to program. It took a couple of seconds to reset the temperature settings. It’s extremely accurate.”

Photo: Courtesy of Amazon

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Char-Broil SmartChef Tru-Infrared 3-Burner Gas Grill
Photo: Courtesy of Char-Broil

Char-Broil SmartChef Tru-Infrared 3-Burner Gas Grill

Enter the new age of backyard barbecues with this Char-Broil SmartChef grill. Keep an eye on gas tank levels, food temps, burner heat and more via digital thermometers and the Char-Broil SmartChef Gas Grill app. This WiFi-connected outdoor cooking machine is loaded with other techie features such as a grill status light ring, LED control knobs and more.
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Grilling Gloves

If it’s time to upgrade your barbecue tools and grilling accessories, don’t forget to spring for new gloves. These BBQ grilling gloves are made from silicone and offer maximum protection from burns and cuts. Take food directly off the grill with these gloves—no need to dirty a pan or platter!

Photo: Courtesy of Amazon

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FireBoard Thermometer
Photo: Courtesy of FireBoard

FireBoard Thermometer

The FireBoard thermometer allows you to remotely monitor the food you are grilling, so you can enjoy the company of your friends and family while you cook rather than be tied to your grill. It supports up to six temperature probes that transmit real-time information via the cloud to your smartphone or tablet. Then you'll know precisely when your food is grilled to perfection.
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Meat Injector Kit

You can intensify the flavor of grilled turkey, brisket, pork and chicken with a meat injector kit. This stainless-steel kit has three professional marinade needles with 2-ounce large capacity barrel.

Got a gas grill? Here’s how to make a propane to natural gas conversion.

Photo: Courtesy of Amazon

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Collapsible Charcoal Starter

You’ll want to add this collapsible charcoal starter to the list of camping hacks you wish you knew about earlier. The starter heats charcoal quickly and is a great piece of equipment for grilling, tailgating, camping, beach trips and other outdoor activities.

Photo: Courtesy of Amazon

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GasWatch

The GasWatch propane tank scale with Bluetooth technology allows you to monitor how much gas is in your tank, so you never run out during your backyard cookout. The device connects with the GasWatch app, keeping you informed of your propane levels through your smartphone.
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Spatula with Bottle Opener

Here’s one new way to open a beer bottle. The barbecue spatula with bottle opener from Cave Tools is also perfect for your next tailgate party.

Photo: Courtesy of Amazon

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A Grill-Cleaning Robot

Is a robot that cleans your grill grate necessary? Absolutely not. Is it super cool? Heck, yeah! The grill-cleaning Grillbot runs on a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and has three spinning, brass wire brushes to do the dirty work. The brushes are removable and dishwasher safe. It actually does a good job of cleaning the tops of the grate but doesn’t get down inside quite as well as hand scraping. But then again, that would require scraping ? by hand. It takes 15 to 30 minutes of steel drum-like racket to get your grill nice and clean.

Photo: Courtesy of Amazon

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Oxo Good Grips Basting Brush

With a basting brush you want one that’s going to hold up to the heat. This one from Oxo is rated to 600 degrees Fahrenheit. It’ll create a new, even spread of barbecue sauce on your meat with its silicone bristles that have enough flexibility and strength so it’s not too loose. You won’t have to bother finding room for it in the kitchen if you follow these 27 incredible kitchen storage tips and tricks.

Photo: Courtesy of Amazon

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Cave Tools Vegetable Basket

Throw out the tin foil and make grilling vegetables and other small foods way easier with this Cave Tools vegetable basket.

Photo: Courtesy of Amazon

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Slow ‘N Sear Plus

Adding a smoker to your cooking arsenal might not be an option but you can turn your grill into a smoker with this incredible contraption from Slow ‘N Sear. It comes at a affordable price to and will make cooking ribs a lot more fun.

Photo: Courtesy of Adrenaline Barbecue Company

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Oven
Courtesy Merchant

Portable Wood-Fired Pizza Oven

Tote your outdoor pizza oven on your glamping adventure for the ultimate foodie experience! The Maximus Arena outdoor wood-fired oven is portable, so it works great for camping, tailgating or as a hallmark in your backyard.