The 11 Most Essential Grilling Tools, According To A BBQ Expert

“Not all tongs are created equal,” says Sidoriak. When shopping for a set, he advises looking for a durable material, such as stainless steel, that won’t bend while in use. A built-in lock and and tab for easy hanging are also essential. It’s important to look for tongs have a solid spring to them that will effortlessly open and shut as needed, too—this way, you won’t fatigue your hands. OXO’s Good Grips set has all of the above, plus a built-in bottle opener for even more hosting convenience, and it can be tossed in the dishwasher after use.

Sidoriak has used his fair share of grilling spatulas over the years, but this Mannkitchen model stands out for a few reasons. It has a spacious, stainless steel surface that’s big enough to use for burgers or pizzas alike, and the hardwood handle is heat resistant for comfortable usage. Its sturdiness can even be used to press homemade smash burgers. What really sets this spatula apart, though, is the design of the beveled edges, which Sidoriak says helps delicate foods like fish and veggies get successfully released from the grill without struggle.

As Sidoriak reminds us, there’s no reliable way to accurately measure a meat’s doneness without a thermometer. “Any amount of poking, prodding, scratching, sniffing—it’s all just hogwash,” he says. Even if you can estimate the amount of time you typically leave a steak on the grill, its cooking time will actually vary widely depending on factors like its size, as well as the temperature it starts out at. 

In this case, it’s best to opt for a reliable meat thermometer, like the Thermapen One. This instant-read thermometer delivers accurate readings in just one second (or less). It also features an easy-to-read backlit display that automatically flips when rotated. It also comes with a five-year warranty and a variety of colors to choose from.

The dangers of grill brushes with bristles are relatively well-known at this point. Those thin metal wires can break off during cleaning, cling to the grill grate, and end up in food—posing a serious risk if accidentally ingested. Since his family had their own brush with the dangers of wire bristles, Sidoriak has been committed to this GrillGrate grill brush, which has a double-helix stainless steel head that’s free from bristles and designed to clean two grates at once for optimal efficiency. It’s also built to last: Sidoriak has personally owned his for 15 years and has no plans to replace it. “I have abused it so much, and a normal person would have thrown it away,” he says with a laugh, but “it’s still rocking and rolling.”

Marinating your chicken and steaks with a basting brush is expert-recommended for efficiency, but some brushes rise above the rest in terms of quality and usability. Sidoriak recommends silicone varieties for their superior brushing and cleaning properties. “It’s going to hold up longer, and it’s going to clean better,” he says. This Cuisinart sauce pot and basting brush is one such option—a clever tool that combines storage with a built-in silicone brush for efficient, mess-free marinating. Its stainless steel build also means your sauce can be warmed right on the griddle (as long as it’s not over a direct flame) in the same container. 

Whether you’re a fan of kebabs, satay or just any food on a stick, a set of reusable skewers is a must-have. But single-pronged skewers can make for a frustrating experience, as the food can spin around on its own when it comes time to flip. “Once food on a stick has cooked a bit, the size of the holes change," Sidoriak explains. “As it becomes done, the food will actually release from the stick,” causing it to spin. For that reason, a dual-pronged skewer so much more effective in keeping food in place as it’s flipped, allowing you to cook both sides and serve skewers without frustration.

Small, delicate foods like scallops and asparagus taste delicious when cooked over an open flame, but they often come with the risk of potentially sacrificing some to the fire through open grates. Enter the GrillGrate Flavor Zone, which is designed to universally fit on any grill top—be it gas grill or charcoal—to protect foods from falling through the cracks, preventing food waste. “They [also] make beautiful, flavorful grill marks,” Sidoriak adds. These grates are made from hard anodized aluminum that promotes even heating and rust prevention, and the raised rail structure is designed to trap moisture and prevent food from drying out as it cooks. It’s also double-sided, so you can switch between flat-top grilling and grates.

Regardless of how many people you’re hosting for a backyard barbecue, you should always take time to prepare your area for both cooking and entertaining. “I’m a huge proponent of setting up your outdoor space with, at the minimum, a table that’s at an ergonomic height, so you’re not putting stuff on the ground,” Sidoriak says. He advises against relying on the small side tables attached to the grill, as they rarely offer adequate space for both raw and cooked food, as well as things like beverages to keep you hydrated while you’re grilling. Investing in a foldable table with an adjustable height option means you can switch between counter height and seated height with ease, transforming from a prep space to a serving space as needed. 

If you’re working with a flat-top grill—or any grill without a non-stick coating—you need to make sure you keep up with seasoning the surface for optimal food release. According to Sidoriak, the best method for this is using a microfiber cloth and flaxseed or vegetable oil. “The seasoning process is basically building layers of patina by putting on an oil and then burning it off,” he says. He recommends pouring oil directly on a microfiber cloth and then spreading it on the grill surface, as it’s the most even way to do it without accidentally dripping or pooling oil. Then, burn it off completely before you start cooking. 

If you’re a fan of crispy-thin “smash burgers,” no tool gets the job done quite as well as a grill press. This stainless steel model from Made In is high-quality, built to withstand up to 800 degrees and equipped with a genuine leather handle cover for comfortable holding. It’s not a necessity (you can always use a durable spatula to smash your burgers down), but once you have it, Sidoriak says it can become a multipurpose gadget. “It’s great on top of bacon to keep it flat or help it cook,” he says. He adds that it can also help uneven foods like chicken breasts cook more evenly, as well as browning vegetables more effectively with the added weight. 

For Sidoriak, the most treacherous part of hosting a barbecue isn’t necessarily cooking over an open flame; it’s trying to haul all the food through three separate doors to successfully get them to the grill. “Being able to transport foods, both raw and cooked, on these cafeteria-style trays is kind of a game changer,” he says. Each tray is spacious enough to fit six burgers at once, and the two-color pack makes it easy to designate one to raw foods and one to cooked. They’re also dishwasher-safe, which makes for care-free clean-up and sanitizing after use.