Editors' Picks: Grilling Tools

Extra Long Grilling Tongs

While you probably already have a set of tongs in your kitchen (I have and love these for regular cooking), you'll want extra long tongs for grilling, so you can keep your hands far away from the heat and flames.

Winco's 16-inch tongs are a great choice. They're spring-loaded, durable, and versatile enough to use for almost anything you want to cook on the grill. If you only get one grilling tool, start with this.

Buy it: Winco Heavyweight 16-Inch Grilling Tongs, $7

Heavy Duty Turner or Spatula

Whether flipping burgers or chicken thighs, you'll need a good turner—sturdy yet flexible, with a heat-resistant handle.

Mercer Kitchen's Hell's Handle line of tools fits the bill nicely. Their 8-inch by 3-inch turner isn't the longest and widest blade they offer (that would be this one), or even the one with the longest handle (this one), but at half the price of the others, it's still a great all-purpose grilling turner that'll last for years.

Buy it: Mercer Culinary Hell's Handle Turner/Spatula, $14

No-Bristle Grill Cleaner

I'm not a fan of grill brushes with wire bristles, since there are reports of the bristles coming out and ending up in your food—scary!

This untraditional-but-highly-reviewed wooden paddle by Great Scrape is my pick. It comes in 18-inch and 20-inch lengths, with the longer "shovel" option offering a bit more reach and heft. By branding the wooden paddle when the grill is hot, it takes on the shape of the grill's grates for a custom clean. And no worrying about those metal bristles!

Buy it: Great Scrape Wood Grill Scraper, $35

Instant-Read Meat Thermometer

We've long been fans of Thermoworks instant-read thermometers, and the DOT probe thermometer is fantastic for grilling. Just set your target temperature, insert the probe in your food, and it beeps when it gets there. Simple!

Buy it: Thermoworks DOT Probe Thermometer, $45

Grill Pan

To grill smaller foods that would otherwise fall through the grates, a stainless steel grill pan is a nice accessory to have on hand. Emma uses and really likes this Weber grill pan. "It's great for veggies, and also for delicate fish!"

Buy it: Weber Grill Pan, $24

Cast Iron Skillet

While you can buy a separate high-sided stainless steel grill basket to grill vegetables, I like to use my 12-inch cast iron Lodge skillet. You'll get great caramelization on a pile of vegetables without losing any through the grates.

You can also cook steak, hamburgers, or chicken in a cast iron skillet over the grill to retain all the juices, get a great sear, and avoid flare-ups.

Buy it: Lodge 12-inch Cast Iron Skillet, $30

Stainless Steel Skewers

Gotta make those kebabs! I like stainless steel skewers, both rigid and flexible, because they're durable and reusable.

These stainless steel skewers from Norpro have a flat surface, which helps keep food from slipping off, but if you're trying to make the most of every bit of space on your grill, you might like something like this flexible stainless steel skewer better!

Buy it: Norpro Stainless Steel Skewers, Set of 6, $8

Rimmed Sheet Pans

Rimmed sheet pans are a great way to corral all your ingredients and get them to and from the grill. We like using both half and quarter sheet pans!

Buy it: Nordic Ware Rimmed Half Sheet and Quarter Pans, Set of 2, $22