Barbecuing has moved well past the dark ages of kettle grills and charcoal briquettes. Today, the oldest form of cooking has become something of an art form, with an endless selection of BBQ accessories and tools to complement your cooking skills. 

Now that warmer weather is drawing closer, there’s no doubt we’re all itching to break out the grill for everyone’s favourite pastime – summer BBQs! But, no matter how great your grill is, the right BBQ gadgets, tools and accessories can make or break a meal. The best BBQ accessories will help you cook meat and veggies to absolute perfection. 

Are you looking to upgrade your entire BBQ setup? If so, you’ve come to the right place. As big BBQ fans, we have picked out our must-have BBQ tools and gadgets, from barbecue tongs, grill cleaners, heat-resistant gloves, meat thermometers and more. We have looked at the efficacy, ease of use and durability of each of these BBQ gadgets to see which ones are actually worth your hard earned cash. 

Here are the best BBQ tools, gadgets and accessories to help you host the ultimate high-tech barbecue this summer. 

The Best BBQ Gadgets & Accessories in 2022

Best BBQ Brush: Kona 360 Clean Grill Brush 

Every grillmaster – or aspiring grillmaster – knows that the worst part of any barbecue is cleaning it. But, while it might be the part you look forward to least, it’s made much easier and quicker with the Kona 360 Clean Grill Brush. 

The unique design of this must-have BBQ tool combines three stainless steel hard-wired brushes in one so that every scrub of the grill is equivalent to three of a normal brush. And, unlike other standard grill brushes, this BBQ gadget also enables you to easily reach the side of the grill grates to ensure you clean every inch. Use this BBQ brush on any grill, with bristles that work on porcelain, ceramic and infrared grill types. 

This essential BBQ tool for cleaning has an 18-inch patent-pending handle, designed to keep your hands safely at a distance from the burning hot grill grates. But, it still allows you to reach all areas of the grill while you clean. Also, the handle of this BBQ gadget is made from plastic to be totally weather-resistant – unlike some of its wooden counterparts which degrade with exposure to water over time. This means you can dip the brush in hot water as you clean without worrying about the quality of your BBQ accessory. 

Don’t end up with a dirty grill – go get yourself this indispensable BBQ tool and save plenty of cleaning time at the end of your summer get-together.

The Best BBQ Thermometer: MEATER Plus 

Wireless grill thermometers are incredibly handy BBQ tools that help ensure your meat is grilled or cooked to absolute perfection. However, while most wireless thermometers aren’t entirely wireless, MEATER Plus really is. There’s no wire from the thermometer itself to a base unit – in fact, there’s no base unit at all – just the probe and a wooden handle holder. There are obvious benefits to having a truly wireless design – mainly that you don’t have to juggle your food along with a base unit tethered by wires. 

MEATER Plus actually comprises two thermometers in one. One thermometer measures the food’s internal temperature, while the other handles ambient temperatures up to 527 degrees. That means it is safe with normal oven temperatures as well as most grill temperatures too. But this BBQ gadget is super smart, so if the temperature gets close to its maximum, it will send you an alert through the app. 

Talking of the app. Since MEATER Plus doesn’t have a base unit that shows the temperature, it’s all done through the accompanying app. The app has suggested temperatures for a whole range of foods and is intuitive to use. Simply choose a category: beef, pork, poultry, lamb, fish, or other. When cooking starts, this BBQ gadget will display the current food temperature and the ambient temperature. 

If you want to avoid the common barbecue faux pas of burning your meat to a crisp, it might be worth investing in this incredibly smart BBQ tool.

The Best BBQ Tongs: GRILLHOGS Luxury 16-Inch Barbecue Grill Tongs 

A sturdy pair of tongs is an absolute must-have BBQ tool to take your grilling game to the next level. The GRILLHOGS Luxury Barbecue Grill Tongs feature a 16-inch handle that opens up into a scalloped edge clamp, making it easy to flip burgers, while providing superior grip for heavier items like a T-bone steak. If you’ve had tongs that bend in the past, replace them with this heavier-duty pair. 

This BBQ accessory’s stainless steel handle is finished off with hardwood oak that not only  creates a luxurious design, but also protects your hands as things start to get hotter. The extra grip on the handles also makes your Barbecuing experience a bit more comfortable. The top of the handle features a “lock and hook” – simply pull on the hook to lock the clamp shut and then use the same hook to hang the tongs on the grill until you need them again. 

If you’re looking for something a bit more than your bog-standard BBQ tongs, don’t hesitate in purchasing a pair of these GRILLHOGS. A good pair of grilling tongs is a basic necessity when it comes to your BBQ accessory arsenal.

Best BBQ Stove: Solo Stove Fire Pit 

Toasted marshmallows, anyone? The Solo Stove is one of the best BBQ accessories for after-BBQ campfires. Designed to promote airflow, this BBQ gadget produces a more efficient burn and creates less smoke. The lack of oxygen and the rising hot air created by the fire pulls air through the vents at the bottom, bringing more oxygen into the pit. So, not only will your marshmallows be toasted to perfection, you can enjoy them without the associated coughing and eye-watering that comes with smokey fires. 

Made from 304 stainless steel, this BBQ tool is built to last. Its cool, striking design offers a distinct contrast to the flames it produces. To get the most out of your Solo Stove Fire Pit, you should consider purchasing two extra accessories. The first is a rain cover to protect your flames in less-than-ideal weather conditions. The second accessory is the Solo Stove Stand, which elevates the fire pit so you can use it on a wider range of surfaces, including those that are heat sensitive, such as decks. 

Are you one for chilling by the campfire after a BBQ in the sun? If the answer is yes, go get one of these warming BBQ gadgets to give your family get-together a boost.

The Best Grill Press: Cuisinart Cast Iron Grill Press 

This cast iron grill press from Cuisinart is made from cast iron in black, with a wooden handle. Weighing just short of three pounds, this BBQ accessory is a must-have for pressing your meat. This is one of the best BBQ tools to hold food flat to the grill surface when cooking foods that might curl or are irregular. The press increases the heat and keeps the food in contact with the grill surface. 

The bottom of the plate features diagonal ridges for adding sear marks to your food – if you need to make it look any more appetising. This BBQ tool can be used on almost any grill, or even in a pan in the kitchen. Just remember that it needs to be piping hot to work properly. Thankfully, the wooden handle ensures your hands are kept safe from the heat. 

Do you struggle to keep your meat flat on the grill? If so, this is one of the best BBQ accessories for making your grilled food look as good as it tastes.

Best BBQ Spice Set: Modern Gourmet Foods Grilling Spice Set

No barbecue is complete without a spice set to add some extra flavour. This Modern Gourmet Grilling Spice Set is here to spice up your life. Each box includes 20 unique BBQ rubs and spices to expertly season your food. Try the Lime Chipotle, Chilli Rosemary, Jalapeno, Black Cajun or the Chilli Parsley seasoning. Whatever your taste, you’re sure to find a spice that suits you.

Best BBQ Gloves: Grill Heat Aid BBQ Gloves

A good pair of gloves is an essential component of any grillmaster’s BBQ toolbox. From arranging coals to moving food around a hot grill, these BBQ gloves will keep you protected from the heat. Not all grill gloves are created equally, though. With many lengths and materials to choose from, it can be hard to know which pair is best. Let us help you out – the Grill Heat Aid gloves are best. 

These gloves are one of the best BBQ accessories you can have. With a heat resistance of 1,472 degrees fahrenheit, you will feel invincible as BBQ master. The Grill Heat Aid BBQ gloves are lightweight and flexible, making them great for dexterity when it comes to moving items around the grill. Made of protective Aramid fibre that has been coated with silicone strips, this BBQ tool gives you the best of both worlds. 

At the same time, you get an unbeatable grip from the rubber-like silicone. This means you can handle burning logs, pick up charcoal or move hot items without having to worry about blistering your hands. 

If you feel like you need some added protection when grilling, make sure you check out this must-have BBQ accessory.

What to Look for in BBQ Tools

Material

Whatever kind of BBQ tools or gadgets you’re shopping for, it’s important that you bear in mind what the product is made from. Stainless steel and cast iron are great materials for BBQ tools and accessories are they will last for ages if cared for properly. However, materials like plastic will simply melt if exposed to a hot grill. You’ll also want to think about how easy the material is to clean and care for – certain BBQ gadgets and tools might require more effort to keep in decent shape.

Safety

Safety isn’t something that should be taken lightly when cooking on the grill, so it’s essential that you check your BBQ accessories are up to the job. As well as looking at the quality of the materials, make sure any BBQ tools that you purchase are appropriate for what you’re using them for.

Compatibility

Similarly, depending on the type of BBQ tool you’re buying, you might want to check that it is compatible with your grill. That isn’t a concern for many BBQ accessories, such as tongs and spatulas, but if you’re buying something more specialised like a grill brush or a grill basket, it’s important that the tool can be used safely and effectively on your grill.

Check out our guide to the best portable BBQs, too.