We think that everything tastes better off the grill, especially when the weather warms up!If you’re wondering what grilling tools and utensils you need for your next outdoor cooking endeavor, we’ve created this guide for you. Here are 21 grilling essentials to keep on hand for the next time you’re ready to fire up the grill.

For Cooking & Food Prep
For Maintenance & Safety

Tip!

Learn all there is to know about grilling with help from our guide: Grilling 101: Types of Grills to Know

For Cooking & Food Prep

Grill Tool Set: Get all your grilling utensils easily and in one place thanks to a grill tool set. This is the first thing to add to your cart when shopping for grilling essentials, since these sets come equipped with items like a spatula, meat form, tongs, and maintenance tools. With the help of a grill tool set, you'll be ready to grill up anything from burgers and hot dogs to steaks, and more.

Grill Tongs: Grilling tongs are different from kitchen tongs since they’re 6 inches longer and more heavy-duty with stainless steel ends. That extra length is crucial to keep your hands from getting burned since you’re cooking with higher temperatures on the grill, while the stainless steel materials give extra strength for flipping heavy meats.

Grill Spatula: Similar to tongs, grilling spatulas feature a longer handle and end to keep you safe from the higher temperatures or flames, while the stainless steel ends give extra you extra strenth and durability when handling the thicker, heavier foods.

Skewers: It’s always best to keep a pair of skewers on hand for whenever the shish-kebab craving strikes. Though there are wooden skewers available (that should be soaked in water for 15 to 20 minutes prior to assembling to keep them from burning on the grill), metal skewers are able to be used over and over and do not require extra soaking time.

Grill Griddles: If you don’t have a grill-griddle hybrid, bring the capabilities of a griddle to your grill with the help of a griddle pan. These grilling essentials sit on top of your grill grates to provide a flat cooking surface that mimics a griddle. Grill griddles make perfect grilling accessories for times you want to cook foods without getting the traditional grill marks, but do want the mouthwatering grilled taste.

Grill Baskets: Grilling fish or vegetables? You’ll want to keep a grill basket on hand. Grilling baskets are utensils that allow you to cook delicate food items that might fall apart or slip through the grates on the grill. Thanks to the openings in the basket, you’ll still get the beloved grilled taste on your food without the frustration of keeping it from falling through the grate.

Grill Racks: Grill racks are a must-have grilling accessory to keep on hand. Not only are they used for cooking specific meats like ribs, but they can also be used to keep food warm before you’re ready to serve it. There are grill racks available that allow you to roast meats on the grill as well.

Grill Press: Whether you love smashburgers or paninis, having a grill press is a great addition to your grilling tools. Grilling presses come in all shapes and sizes and allow you to press down on your foods for even cooking and compression of your culinary creation.

Meat Thermometer: Another must-have grilling essential is a digital thermometer. Grilling thermometers are crucial when grilling so you can see if your meats are done cooking or if they need to cook longer. Plus, with the digital feature, you’ll be able to see your temperature faster than with a dial thermometer.

Wood & Salt Planks: Wood and salt planks take that great grilling taste to the next level, so they’re a definite grilling essential. Wooden planks sit on top of your grill grates and provide a flat surface to grill your food on to project a deep wood-smoked flavor into your food. Salt planks work the same way; they add a natural salt flavor to the food.

Marinade Containers: Another grilling essential that comes in handy is a marinade container. These containers are lengthy and spacious enough for you to fit your meat in before pouring in the prepared marinade and covering with the included lid until you’re ready to cook.

Serving Platters & Trays: Transfer your freshly grilled creation from the grates to the table with ease with a serving platter or tray. Stock up on stunning outdoor serving platters or trays made with melamine as this material is shatterproof and strong enough for heavy foods.

For Grill Maintenance & Safety

Grill Brush: Regular maintenance is crucial to keep your grill in pristine condition for as long as possible, and one of the grilling essentials you need to keep on hand is a brush. Grill brushes scrape off extra food residue, grease, or grime left behind on the grates. These grilling tools should be used before and after every time you use the grill, so you always start with a clean surface.

Tip!

Keep your grill clean with tips from our guide: How to Clean a Gas Grill

Grill Lights: If you find yourself grilling after dark, having a set of grill lights on hand will allow you to see. These LED lights give extra visibility to the grill so you can ensure everything is cooking properly in the darker hours.

Floor Mat: If you want to protect the floor of your deck or patio, then you’ll want to add a grill mat to your collection of grilling essentials. These mats lay underneath your grill to collect splatters of grease and keep them from staining the surface of your outdoor area.

Grill Cover: Keep the outer frame of your grill sparkly-clean for years to come with the help of a grill cover. These grilling accessories are a must-have to add to your list since they cover the grill when you aren’t using it to protect it from weather, dirt, and other debris.

Charcoal Starters: Using a charcoal grill? A charcoal starter will be one of your favorite grilling tools to help you fire up the grill. With the help of a charcoal starter (otherwise known as a “charcoal chimney”), you’ll have your charcoal heated in a matter of minutes so you can get grilling.

Tip!

For more on how to use a charcoal grill, check out our guide: How to Start aCharcoal Grill

Grill Gloves: Keep your hands safe as you lift the grill’s hot lid or move coals around with the help of grilling gloves. These gloves are constructed with silicone properties that are heat-resistant to keep your hands protected as you work.

Tool & Spice Rack: A true outdoor grilling aficionado has a lot of seasonings, spices, sauces, and marinades on hand for the best tasting grilled creations. Keep your spices and tools organized with the help of a tool and spice rack that you can keep close by as you grill.

Grill Apron: Whether you’re grilling for a party or for yourself at home, keep your clothes grease-free with the help of a grilling apron. Grilling aprons are different from kitchen aprons since they’re made with leather and other heavy materials that are heat-resistant and more durable for the outdoors and against high-temperature splatters.

Grill Gazebo: One of our must-have grilling essentials is a grilling gazebo. Grilling gazebos provide shade from the hot summer sun and protection from pop-up rain storms that you may encounter as you cook outside. Most grill gazebos offer enough room underneath for you plus your grill and can come with hooks on the side to store your utensils.

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Now that you know the grilling essentials to keep on hand, it’s time to stock up on your outdoor cooking supplies!