Although the days are chillier, for those who are truly dedicated, grilling can be an all-year activity — or at least we can daydream about getting the grill out once the weather warms up. If there’s a barbecue enthusiast in your life, don’t wait for grilling season to get them stocked up on the gear they need to make their next barbecue the best one yet.
In the summer months, I try to grill at least once a week, so I have a good idea of what essential tools you need to grill delicious dinners every time. Since I’m also a shopping writer, I’ve picked out all of the best deals so that you don’t have to sort through tons of products to find the good stuff. Here, I tracked down eight must-have grilling must-haves to grab this fall — and even better, prices start at just $5.
The Best Deals on Barbecue and Grilling Gifts at Amazon
- ThermoPro Wireless Meat Thermometer, $35 with coupon (originally $50)
- Lodge 12-Inch Cast Iron Grill Basket, $34
- Grillart Grill Brush, $17 (originally $23)
- Charcoal Companion Nonstick Kabob Grilling Baskets, Set of 4, $38
- Kosin Grill Light, $14 (originally $16)
- Cuisinart Bamboo Basting Brush, $5
- Geekhom Grill Gloves, $16 (originally $20)
- Walfos Grill Tongs, Set of 2, $11 with coupon (originally $15)
ThermoPro Wireless Meat Thermometer
Amazon
At the very top of your list of essential grilling gear, there should be a durable, reliable meat thermometer. This one is a cut above the typical plastic instant-read digital thermometers most people already own, which is why it makes such a great gift. Since it comes with two probes, it can monitor the temperature of two different cuts of meat on the grill simultaneously — and to make your job even easier, it comes with presets for poultry, lamb, fish and more. The thermometer can also be connected to an app on your phone, so that you can monitor the grill from as far as 650 feet away — giving you the ability to set the table or work on sides while your meat cooks. Just be sure to set the built-in alarm so you know when to turn the grill off.
Lodge 12-Inch Cast Iron Grill Basket
Amazon
One of the minor annoyances that comes with grilling is that sometimes small pieces of vegetables, like zucchini or peppers, can fall through the grill grates, which means you lose part of your dinner and also have a burned-on mess in your grill to clean up later. Avoid that entire scenario with this handy Lodge 12-inch grill pan. The tear-shaped holes on the surface allow flames from the grill to infuse your vegetable of choice with a smoky flavor without overcooking it. When we interviewed chefs about their 10 favorite grilling tools, this grill pan earned high praise thanks to the fact that it offers enough space to feed four people without overcrowding the vegetables to ensure they cook evenly every time.
Grillart Grill Brush
Amazon
Part of calling yourself a grill master is taking good care of your equipment, and that means cleaning your grill after every use. To make the task easier on yourself, pick up this Grillart grill brush. We talked to two different chefs who agree that it is the best overall grill brush: not only does it significantly speed up the cleaning process, but its wire and stainless steel design is built for durability. This brush features three wire scrubbers that clean grease and burned food from the grill, while the stainless steel scraper removes any other hard-to-remove debris.
Charcoal Companion Nonstick Kabob Grilling Baskets, Set of 4
Amazon
Kebabs and vegetable skewers are classic grilled meals that are crowd-pleasers at the dinner table, too. However, they can be tricky to cook evenly on the grill. The solution is these grill baskets, which hold small pieces of meat and vegetables together in one place. Inside the basket, they can be easily rotated, and are protected from falling through the grill grates — plus they are nonstick, so cleanup is a breeze.
Kosin Grill Lights, Set of 2
Amazon
Don’t underestimate the importance of a grill light in your grilling tool kit. Especially useful if you’re grilling at a campsite or a park, you can also use it to easily spot any misplaced tools. This set of two Kosin grill lights is a No. 1 bestseller on Amazon, with more than 8,700 five-star ratings. According to the brand, the lights provide a glare-free beam of light that is wide enough to illuminate the full surface of your grill — plus the flexible gooseneck can easily be adjusted to concentrate light where you need it. For added ease of use, magnets at the base let you mount the lights directly onto the hood of your grill.
Cuisinart Bamboo Basting Brush
Amazon
To keep brisket, pork loin, and other cuts of grilled meat juicy and flavorful, you often need to continually baste them throughout the cooking process, which is where this Cuisinart basting brush comes in handy. It’s only $5 and allows you to spread sauces and rubs across any type of grilled meat with ease. It has more than 2,800 five-star ratings at Amazon. One shopper who was tired of their “silicone basting brush dripping all over everything,” wrote that this basting brush “doesn’t slosh the liquid and sauce all around,” and added that they’ve encountered “no trouble with losing bristles.”
Geekhom Grill Gloves
Amazon
With open flames and high temperatures comes the risk of burning yourself at the grill, which is why a heavy-duty pair of gloves to keep yourself protected is non-negotiable. This pair will appeal to frequent barbecuers because they are heat resistant up to 446℉, and extend all the way up to your forearm to give you maximum protection even if you’re standing directly over the grill. Plus, the textured surface of these silicone gloves gives you a secure grip on cookware, utensils, and other grilling tools. These gloves have more than 15,700 five-star ratings at Amazon thanks to the fact that they are comfortable and effectively protect against burns, with one shopper writing that they offer “excellent heat insulation and [the] texture of gloves helps grip slippery hot food.”
Walfos Grill Tongs, Set of 2
Amazon
A pair of stainless steel tongs completely dedicated to your grill is handy for flipping meat, rotating corn on the cob and hot dogs, and moving what you’ve cooked from the grill to a platter. This specific set is ideal for grilling because they are extra long — the handles are 17 inches, which offers plenty of space between you and the grill so that you can avoid unnecessary burns. Plus, they are made of sturdy stainless steel that can withstand temperatures up to 500℉, and the silicone grips at the top of the handle ensure that they are comfortable to hold.
