9 Grilling Tools That Are My "Desert Island" Picks

Since we put in my dream outdoor kitchen a couple of years ago, you can bet I’ve been soaking up every single moment I can firing up those grills! I have plenty of tools that I’ve used over my many years of grilling, but naturally, some will stand the test of time and some will not. Just in time for summer dinners outside, I’m sharing my top essential grilling tools for anyone who loves to grill as much as I do. Let’s get to it!

Man wearing sunglasses and a blue t-shirt preparing hot dogs on a wooden cutting board outdoors with condiments and fresh ingredients, brick wall background.

My Top 9 Most-Used Grilling Utensils

1. Long Tongs

Don’t get fancy with some big clunky “grilling tongs.” These long-handled tongs are perfect for keeping your hands away from the flames while grilling. They’re lightweight and easy to maneuver. Even when cooking burgers, if you’ve prepped the grill correctly, they shouldn’t stick, so tongs offer better control than a spatula for flipping. What I appreciate about these tongs is the tension – I can easily gauge how much pressure I’m applying, so I won’t accidentally smoosh the food. Plus, there are no extra teeth to tear anything.

2. BBQ Gloves (similar)

I mainly use these gloves for smoking, specifically for easily pulling meat off the bone once it’s perfectly tender. If you’ve smoked it right, forks aren’t very helpful at that stage because the meat is so fall-apart tender. These claws make it easy to handle without getting burned. I’ve tried cloth BBQ gloves before, but I don’t really see the point. The moment any hot liquid gets on them, it soaks right through and burns your fingers! These are the way to go.

3. Meat Thermometer

A couple of years ago, I was using the I struggled with the Meatr+ thermometer; I really tried to make it work, but it was so finicky about connecting to my phone. I’d stand there fiddling with it, trying to get a connection just to check the temperature.

So, I switched to this one – it comes with two probes, which is handy, and it has a temperature readout right on the charging base. There’s also an app, but I usually just use the base. It’s really easy to operate. While my go-to for long-smoked barbecue is a wired thermometer, I also use my rotisserie a lot, and that just won’t work with wired. So, instead of having both, I just have this one, and so far, it’s worked great.

4. Grill Bags

These bags have been one of my most used purchases over the years for grilled veggies or anything that’s small that you don’t want falling through the grill grate. You can even use it on certain types of fish or with a bunch of smaller shrimp: spray a little avocado oil inside the bag before you add them.

Pro tip: If you want to do kebabs but you don’t want to deal with the prep for kebabs, put the meat on your kebabs and throw all the vegetables into the bag. It’s so much faster.

5. Foil Trays

I’m not one for single-use gadgets; I prefer hardworking tools. These trays are real workhorses, and it’s a bonus that I can place them under meat in the smoker to catch drippings. They’re also perfect for tossing in vegetables to cook, and when I’m grilling burgers and hot dogs, they go right on the trays. I even have a storage compartment in my outdoor kitchen specifically for them. Best of all, they save me from doing dishes!

6. Absorbent Towel

For cleaning up messes, a simple waffle-knit towel is great because it’s durable in the wash and handles spills, condensation, and keeping hands clean effectively. It’s always good to have one nearby.

Pro tip: Nothing turns guests off faster than seeing food prepared in a messy environment. If people watch you cook in a cluttered space, it detracts from the experience. Make it a habit to clean as you go.

7. Grill Brush

I avoid wire grill brushes because of the horror stories about stray bristles ending up in food or scratching the grates and causing rust, which is a real issue in our North Carolina humidity. Instead, I prefer heat-proof sponge cleaners. They clean well, last a good while, and are easy to replace when they get too dirty.

I used to use Grill Rescue, but their slow replacement deliveries were a pain, so I switched to this one.

Pro tip: For the best results with the sponge, I wet it and press it flat in the sink to soften it faster. I find it works best either right after the grill heats up or after cooking. Just let the grill run for another ten minutes before turning it off and cleaning while it’s still hot.

8. Grill Basting Brush (similar)

While it serves a single purpose, this tool does it exceptionally well. Bugs are a constant presence here in NC, especially in an outdoor kitchen, and nothing ruins BBQ sauce faster than finding an insect in it. What I love about this baster is that it self-closes! You can fill it with any sauce you like for basting.

Pro tip: Wait until the very last minute of cooking to add sauce, especially sugary ones. That will avoid burning your food!

9. Portable Outdoor Speaker

You’re cooking for others, so you deserve to enjoy the experience yourself. Embrace the outdoors and get those tunes playing on an all-weather portable speaker! For me, classic black is the way to go.

So, whether you’re just starting out and need a little direction, or you’ve been at it for years and want to take things to the next level, those are my top essential grilling tools!

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