Summer barbecues are a cornerstone of the season, bringing friends and family together over delicious food. But even the most seasoned grill master can benefit from the right tools. The right equipment can turn a good cookout into a great one, making the process smoother, safer, and more successful.
From upgrading your entire grill setup to adding clever accessories that solve common problems, having the best gear makes all the difference. This roundup features ten essential products designed to improve every aspect of your outdoor cooking, whether you’re a charcoal purist, a tech-savvy smoker, or just looking for an easier cleanup.
Essential Gear for Your Best Barbecue Season
- IMAGE Rechargeable Grill Lights Magnetic Grilling Gifts
- Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill, 22-Inch
- Traeger Grills Pro 575 Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker with Wifi
- ThermoPro TP20 500FT Wireless Meat Thermometer with Dual Probe
- Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker Nano 2.0
- MEATER SE: Smart Bluetooth Meat Thermometer
- Napoleon Rogue 425 Propane Gas Grill with Range Side Burner
- Grillaholics Grill Mat – Set of 3 Heavy Duty BBQ Grill Mats
- Weber Spirit E-310 Liquid Propane Gas Grill
- Ove Glove High Heat Resistant BBQ Glove
IMAGE Rechargeable Grill Lights Magnetic Grilling Gifts
Don’t let the sunset end your barbecue. These rechargeable grill lights provide essential illumination to see your food’s doneness clearly after dark. The strong magnetic base attaches securely to most metal grill surfaces, while the flexible gooseneck and swivel head allow you to direct light exactly where you need it.
A unique built-in sidelight offers a wider area of soft lighting, making it useful as a general utility light around your patio or grill station. Being battery-powered means no cords to manage, offering complete freedom of placement. This set of two lights ensures you have ample coverage for a well-lit cooking area.
Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill
The Weber Kettle is a timeless icon for a reason. Its simple, effective design provides an authentic charcoal grilling experience that is hard to beat. The 22-inch cooking area offers ample space for a large meal, capable of holding up to 13 burgers, while the porcelain-enameled lid and bowl retain heat efficiently and resist rust.
Weber’s thoughtful features make charcoal grilling more convenient. The one-touch cleaning system with a high-capacity ash catcher simplifies post-cookout cleanup significantly. This grill’s versatility allows for direct high-heat grilling as well as indirect cooking for slower roasts, making it a reliable centerpiece for any backyard.
View the Weber Kettle on Amazon
Traeger Grills Pro 575 Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker with Wifi
This pellet grill combines the convenience of a set-and-forget appliance with the rich, wood-fired flavor of traditional smoking. The WiFIRE technology lets you monitor and control the grill’s temperature remotely from your smartphone, giving you freedom away from the heat. Its precision temperature control maintains consistent heat for perfect results every time.
Equipped with an integrated meat probe and durable all-terrain wheels, the Pro 575 is built for both precision and practicality. You can sear steaks at high heat or smoke a brisket low and slow with the same machine. It effectively bridges the gap between a standard grill and a professional smoker.
ThermoPro TP20 500FT Wireless Meat Thermometer
Accuracy is critical for perfectly cooked meat, and the ThermoPro TP20 delivers with a remarkable 500-foot wireless range. Using radio frequency technology, it maintains a stable connection far beyond typical Bluetooth devices, allowing you to monitor temps from inside your house with confidence.
The system includes two probes, letting you track two different meats or cuts simultaneously. The receiver features a clear display with a backlight and functions as a kitchen timer with count-up and countdown settings. Its hassle-free setup requires no app or complex syncing, making it a straightforward tool for better results.
Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker Nano 2.0
Take your barbecue prep to the next level with sous vide cooking. The Anova Nano circulates water at a precise, consistent temperature, ensuring your steak, chicken, or pork is cooked to the exact level of doneness from edge to edge. This method locks in moisture and flavor for exceptionally tender results.
This compact device is perfect for pre-cooking proteins before giving them a quick, flavorful sear on the grill. It attaches easily to any pot you already own and stores away neatly. By handling the precision cooking indoors, you can guarantee perfect results before your food even touches the grill grates.
MEATER SE: Smart Bluetooth Meat Thermometer
The MEATER SE is a completely wireless smart thermometer that measures both the internal temperature of your food and the ambient temperature of your grill or oven. Its guided cook system walks you through each stage of cooking, providing estimates for when your food will be done and how long it should rest.
With a Bluetooth range of up to 165 feet, you can monitor your cook from a comfortable distance. The probe is rechargeable and requires no calibration, making it a low-maintenance tool. The accompanying app provides real-time updates and recommendations, acting as a personal cooking assistant.
Napoleon Rogue 425 Propane Gas Grill with Range Side Burner
This robust gas grill offers serious cooking power and added versatility with its included side burner. The side burner is perfect for simmering sauces, sautéing vegetables, or boiling corn, freeing up the main grilling area. With three main burners, it provides precise heat control for everything from low-temperature roasting to high-heat searing.
The porcelainized cast iron cooking grates offer excellent heat retention and create perfect sear marks on your food. Their design helps hold juices against the food during cooking, resulting in moist and flavorful results. This grill is built for durability and performance for the dedicated home chef.
Grillaholics Grill Mat – Set of 3 Heavy Duty BBQ Grill Mats
These reusable grill mats are a simple solution to several common grilling frustrations. They prevent small or delicate foods like vegetables, fish, or shrimp from falling through the grates. The non-stick surface also means food releases easily and cleanup is remarkably simple—just rinse or place in the dishwasher.
Designed to be the ideal thickness, they allow heat and smoke to permeate while still leaving grill marks on your food. You can cut them to fit any grill size or shape. By creating a barrier, they also keep your grill grates much cleaner, saving you from strenuous scrubbing after every use.
Weber Spirit E-310 Liquid Propane Gas Grill
The Weber Spirit E-310 is a reliable and efficient gas grill built for consistent performance. It heats up quickly and distributes heat evenly across its porcelain-enameled, cast-iron grates. The Snap-Jet ignition system allows you to light each burner easily with one hand for a hassle-free start.
Stainless steel Flavorizer Bars sit above the burners to vaporize drippings, adding flavor to your food while protecting the burners from grease. The grill also features the Weber Works system, with side rails that accept useful snap-on accessories like tool hooks and lighting, helping you customize your grilling station.
Ove Glove High Heat Resistant BBQ Glove
Safety and handling are paramount at the grill, and a high-quality heat-resistant glove is indispensable. The Ove Glove design allows for dexterity and grip, so you can confidently handle hot grill grates, adjust charcoal, move pans, or pull food off the heat. It provides protection from high temperatures that standard oven mitts cannot match.
Using a dedicated grill glove offers better control than tongs or forks for certain tasks, like rearranging coals or handling large cuts of meat. It’s an essential safety tool that protects your hands from burns, making your time at the grill more secure and comfortable. A good glove is a fundamental part of any griller’s toolkit.
Buying Guide: What to Look For in Your 10 Grill Gadgets
So you’re ready to step up your grilling game this season. I get it. Walking into a store or browsing online for grill tools can be overwhelming. There are a million shiny things promising to make you a backyard hero. But not all gadgets are created equal, and you don’t need to buy everything. The key is to focus on tools that solve a real problem, improve safety, and give you better results. Let me walk you through what I always consider before adding a new piece to my kit.
First, think about material and durability. This is non-negotiable. You’re dealing with extreme heat, grease, and sometimes a bit of rough handling. For any tool that touches the grill grates, like a spatula or tongs, look for stainless steel. It resists rust and is easy to clean. Avoid anything with plastic components that will sit near the heat for long periods—they can melt or off-gas. For items like grill brushes, the debate is real. I’ve moved away from traditional wire bristle brushes due to the scare of bristles coming loose. Look for good alternatives like brushes with coiled metal scrubbers or sturdy nylon bristles specifically rated for high heat.
Next, consider function and versatility. I love a gadget that does more than one thing well. A good instant-read thermometer is the perfect example. It’s not just for checking if your chicken is done; use it for burgers, steaks, thick fish fillets, or even to see if your grill has reached the right temperature. A quality set of long-handled tongs with a good locking mechanism is another multi-tasker, useful for everything from arranging coals to flipping veggies. Before you buy, ask yourself: “How often will I actually use this?” A single-use item might be fun once, but it’ll just take up space in your drawer.
Finally, ergonomics and safety are huge. Those long handles aren’t just for style—they keep your hands away from the fire. Make sure they have a comfortable, non-slip grip, especially if your hands are wet or greasy. Look for tools with a good weight and balance; a flimsy spatula will bend under a heavy portobello burger, and that’s just frustrating. For anything electronic, like a meat thermometer or a grill light, check the battery life and whether it’s weather-resistant. Your perfect set of 10 grill gadgets that will improve your summer barbecue should feel like an extension of your hands, making the whole process smoother, safer, and more fun.
FAQ
Are grill mats worth it, or do they prevent proper searing?
I think grill mats are a fantastic tool, but for specific jobs. They’re absolutely worth it for cooking delicate items that would fall through the grates, like small vegetables, fish, or shrimp. They also make cleanup a breeze. However, you’re right to be concerned about the sear. A mat creates a barrier, so you won’t get those perfect, direct-contact grill marks or the same level of intense caramelization on a steak. My advice? Use them strategically. Keep the mat for the delicate stuff, but let your burgers and chops hit the bare grates for that classic grilled flavor.
What’s the most important gadget I should buy first?
If I had to pick just one, it’s a no-brainer: a good instant-read digital meat thermometer. Guessing doneness is a surefire way to end up with dry chicken or unsafe pork. This one tool takes all the anxiety out of grilling and guarantees perfect results every single time. It’s the fastest way to level up your skills. After that, I’d invest in a sturdy pair of long-handled tongs and a reliable spatula. These three form the absolute core of any grilling toolkit.
How do I clean a grill brush safely?
This is a really important safety question. First, I recommend considering a bristle-free cleaning option, like a pumice stone, a metal scraper, or a wooden grill scraper, to avoid any risk of wire bristles coming loose on your grates. If you do use a traditional brush, inspect it every single time before you use it. Run your fingers over it (carefully!) and look for any loose or missing bristles. Replace the brush at the first sign of wear, not just when it looks old. Always clean a hot grill, and use a damp cloth after scraping to wipe away any last bits of debris.
Do I need a special thermometer for my smoker or low-and-slow cooking?
Yes, you do. While an instant-read thermometer is perfect for checking the internal temperature of food quickly, low-and-slow cooking requires you to monitor the grill or smoker’s ambient temperature for hours. For this, you need a leave-in probe thermometer, often with two probes: one for the meat and one for the grill chamber. Some even connect to your phone via Bluetooth. This lets you keep a steady temperature without constantly lifting the lid, which causes heat loss and extends your cooking time. It’s essential for good barbecue.
What’s a gadget that seems silly but is actually useful?
People often laugh, but I swear by my grill light. When the sun goes down and you’re still cooking, trying to see if your food is done with a flashlight in your mouth is a recipe for disaster. A good, clamp-on LED grill light illuminates your entire cooking surface, so you can see browning, avoid burning, and use your tools safely. It’s a small investment that makes evening barbecues so much less stressful and more enjoyable. It definitely earns its spot in my collection of tools for a better cookout.