Editors' Picks: Grilling Tools

What are the best grilling tools? Whether you've been grilling for years or are just starting this summer, here are grilling tools we recommend having around!

Cambria Bold
Cambria is a Senior Editor for Simply Recipes, where she directs all cooking education content, including ingredient guides, tips, techniques, and general cooking know-how. Previously, she was the Design and Lifestyle Editor at Kitchn.
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Cambria Bold
Published June 12, 2020
Cambria Bold
Editors' Picks Grilling Tools

It's grilling season! All week long we've been talking about backyard grilling, from which grill is right for you to tips that'll help you master cooking on the grill.

Up today? Grilling tools. Grill pans, grill baskets, grill brushes ... What's good? What's necessary? Here are the grilling tools we recommend!

  • 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.

    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.

    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!

    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!

    Thermoworks DOT Probe Thermometer, $37

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  • 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!"

    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.

    Lodge 12-inch Cast Iron Skillet, $33

  • 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!

    Norpro Stainless Steel Skewers, Set of 6, $8.60

  • 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!

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