The Best Grilling Accessories, According to Good Housekeeping Experts

Weber and Nexgrill each recalled millions of wire-bristled brushes this year because the bristles can come lose and pose an ingestion hazard. Now, I only recommend wire-bristle-free alternatives like this chainmail grill brush from Oxo. The head is made from the same metal material used to clean cast-iron pans, plus it has a scraper for stubborn bits.

Thermometers are key to grilling juicy meat that's not overcooked. My team and I are big fans of the Thermapen, but the added features on this affordable Javelin thermometer make it our best overall grill thermometer. It turns on quickly by releasing the probe, and it has a large display that reads temperatures to the tenth of a degree. It delivered quick, accurate results in our tests.

It has a thin tip that makes it easy to check all types of meat— from a large pork butt to a small burger patty—and the best part is, it's magnetic, so you can store it on your grill's side shelf (or your fridge). It also has a large hanging hole.

Even the least technical grillers will appreciate this wireless smart thermometer from Meater. It's easy to connect and has an intuitive app. Not only does it track the internal temperature of your food, the target temperature, and the ambient temperature (a.k.a. the temperature of your grill or oven), but it then uses that info to predict your cooking time and alerts you when your food is done.

The set includes two probes, allowing you to monitor two cuts of meat simultaneously. For those who regularly cook multiple proteins, the Meater Block offers four probes and can be used with or without a smartphone.

Meater scored well in our accuracy tests and earned a spot on our best meat thermometers list as the best wireless meat thermometer.

Chimney starters are a game-changer for anyone who has ever used lighter fluid to light the coals in their charcoal grill. The design allows charcoal to light quickly and evenly without the use of extra chemicals, so it's great for beginners and pros alike.

This one from Weber is lightweight and has a thick plastic handle that keeps your hand a safe distance from the hot coals. It holds enough charcoal to get you through a family-sized meal on an average-sized grill. The material discolors over time, but that doesn't affect its performance. I've been using mine for five years, and I haven't had to replace it.

Pro tip: I like having a second chimney's worth of coals ready to go after I add the first to the grill, so I can replenish them whenever I need to.

If you're looking for a simple set of grilling tools, this one from Oxo stands out for offering just two quality products you'll use often: a 16-inch version of the popular 12-inch tongs as well as a long spatula. The tongs have a built-in bottle opener and a large hanging loop so you can store them on the side of your grill. The spatula is sturdy and slotted. Each is long enough to keep your hand away from the heat.

Both pieces are lightweight yet sturdy and responsive. The handles feature comfortable silicone grips, and both tools are dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup.

Want some extra protection while grilling? Our Lab analyst used these gloves while testing grill baskets and handling hot pizza stones. They provided a nonslip grip and high heat protection for your hands, wrists, and forearms.

Our pro found them comfortable, even if they don’t slip on as easily as traditional oven mitts. One caveat: She began to feel the heat when holding hot objects for more than two minutes. The company claims the gloves are cut-proof, which adds an extra layer of safety, but you should always be careful.

Silicone basting brushes are one of the best ways to season food on the grill and ensure every part is evenly coated without using your hands. They're also great for adding finishing touches, like BBQ sauce or honey, to grilled foods. The bristles are flexible, and you won't have to worry about any of them ending up in your food.

This Oxo grill brush is over 13 inches long, making it easy to use while food is over the heat. Its one-piece design is easier to clean than models with removable heads, and it’s dishwasher-safe.

I love how versatile these Pyrex dishes are and how you can use them year-round. I use them to marinate my ingredients and then as serving dishes. (I just make sure to wash them in between if I used them to marinate raw meat.)

The lids help keep bugs out and make storing leftovers simple, while the handles and stackable design make carrying everything in and out a breeze. They're also freezer-, microwave-, and oven-safe for storing and reheating leftovers. Just keep them at a safe distance from the grill—the lids can melt if exposed to direct heat.

This is one of those grilling gadgets I didn't know I needed. It weighs my propane tank so I don't have to guess how much gas is left. I've relied on it numerous times, particularly before parties.

Bonus: It doubles as a luggage scale, so you can use it year-round, and it can even be used when fishing to weigh your catch.

When it comes to grilling, thick, heavy cutting boards can be a pain to lug outside, clean, and maintain. Epicurean's boards are thin, lightweight, and will last for years. They're made of paper-composite and can be washed in the dishwasher—a great mix of the properties I love in wooden and plastic cutting boards.

This BBQ Board is the perfect size for oversized meats, and it has a large juice groove. It also comes in bigger sizes to suit your needs.

Consider this CoverSeal Grill Cover if the wind is constantly threatening your grill cover: It’s weighted on the bottom so it doesn’t blow off. I particularly like using it for long-term storage; it has stood up to all of the elements year-round.

The flip side to the advantage of the weighted bottom is that it's a little hard to take off and put on each time you use it.

I always tend to be in a rush when I'm seasoning my grill ingredients. FinaMill makes it easy: It grinds pepper and many other spices quickly with a simple, one-hand operation. Plus, the results are coarse, which are ideal for grilled foods.

This set comes with two pods that you can fill with different spices and interchange as needed.