What to Buy Grilling & BBQ The 6 Best Barbecue Tool Sets, According to Chefs Get basically everything you need to grill in one set. By Greg Baker Updated on August 31, 2023 In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Our Favorite Factors to Consider FAQ Our Expertise We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Courtesy of Amazon When investing in essential grilling and barbecue tools, the question of whether to buy them individually or as a set often comes up. If you opt for a set, you'll want to be sure you'll use all the tools it includes. We've done the research and talked to three chefs to help you find the best sets for grilling success. Chefs Kenny Gilbert, Vishwesh Bhatt, and Rob McDaniel tell us what they like and dislike in their grilling tools, what they need when cooking, and what they would like to make grilling more enjoyable. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Cuisinart Deluxe BBQ Grill Tool Set at Amazon Jump to Review Best Basic: OXO Good Grips Grilling 3 Piece Set at Amazon Jump to Review Best Value: Alpha Grillers Grill Accessories at Amazon Jump to Review Best Splurge: Laguiole Aubrac 4-Piece Grill Tool Set at Williams-Sonoma Jump to Review Best Variety: Taimasi Taimasi Grilling Tool Set at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Gifting: Cuisinart Premium 10-Piece Grilling Set at Amazon Jump to Review Best Overall Cuisinart 20-Piece Deluxe BBQ Grill Tool Set Amazon View On Amazon View On Target View On Williams-Sonoma Pros The shape and taper of the tongs and spatula make these tools more graceful to use, and the temperature probe meat fork is an added bonus. Cons Sharper skewers, a better grill brush, and non-slip handles would make this set even better. The Cuisinart set has most of the qualities we look for in grill tools. Think a spatula with a tapered head, tongs with graduating ends, and a grilling fork with strong, narrow tines, which put small punctures into whatever you're jabbing. Thick tines on a fork make significantly larger holes that allow heat to enter the food as it cooks, which results in uneven cooking. This utensil also includes a built-in digital thermometer. We find the grill brush a little clumsy, and the skewers could be sharper. Getting the three necessary components in their best form, however, makes up for that. Price at time of publish: $41 What's Included: Tongs, Spatula, Temperature Probe Meat Fork, Corn Holders, Skewers, Grill Brush, Basting BrushMaterial: Stainless Steel, SiliconeCase: Yes Best Basic OXO Good Grips Grilling 3 Piece Set Amazon View On Amazon View On Sur La Table View On Home Depot Pros The turner and tongs allow delicate work while being easy on the hands. Cons You may want to supplement this set with other grilling tools, which may cost more than buying one of the other bundles on our list. There are many reasons a person might have difficulty gripping or grasping, and OXO succeeds in its quest to make kitchen and grilling tools comfortable to hold. This basic set comes with tongs and a turner, which are the most essential tools, whether have a portable grill or a built-in. The tongs feature a tapered tip that makes grasping and moving small items easier, while still being capable of handling larger, heavier items. The turner's beveled head easily slides under food to lift it from the grill. Both tools have long handles and a non-slip grip to keep your hands from getting too hot. The final piece in the set is a silicone tool rest that won't melt when kept near the grill. Price at time of publish: $30 What's Included: Tongs, Spatula, Tool RestMaterial: Stainless Steel, SiliconeCase: No Best Value Alpha Grillers Grill Set Heavy Duty BBQ Accessories Alpha Grillers View On Amazon View On Walmart Pros Solid construction and sound design make this a good choice. Cons Slip-resistant handles on the spatula and fork and a case of some sort to keep this contained while packing would improve the set. There are many sets out there that offer the same tools, but the Alpha delivers the quality at an approachable price point. The spatula is a flat design, with the head a little longer than many. The locking tongs have a scalloped shape at the end and heat and slip-resistant grips on the handles. The fork's design is serviceable, and the tines are not too thick. Finally, the basting brush has silicone bristles that won't shed in your food. You can always build on the basic tools, adding meat thermometers, lights, brushes, and the like, but the solid foundation of these essentials goes a long way in setting you up for success. We would also pair this set with a camping grill because it's durable, easy to pack, and won't take up much space. Price at time of publish: $40 What's Included: Fork, Spatula, Tongs, Basting BrushMaterial: Stainless Steel, SiliconeCase: No Best Splurge Laguiole en Aubrac 4-Piece Grill Tool Set Laguiole en Aubrac 4-Piece Grill Tool Set. Williams Sonoma View On Williams-Sonoma Pros The meat fork is a classic French design, which is a big plus in our book, and the set is both stylish and practical. Cons The fork and knife are longer than we would like, and we prefer tongs with a tapered tip for easier grabbing. This set makes a functional statement. Other sets include several more pieces, but this four-piece, hand-crafted set features high-carbon stainless steel and sustainably sourced wenge wood handles that are as beautiful as they are useful. Indeed, Laguiole en Aubrac has been producing kitchen tools for almost 200 years with both style and practicality in mind. The pincer-like tongs have blunted ends that make them a little awkward, but not enough to take points off. The fork is a sensible design with narrow tines in the French tradition, which won't tear at your meat. The spatula is reasonably wide with a beveled edge that makes getting under the food easier and forgoes the cutting edges seen on other spatulas. Finally, the knife is a nice inclusion for serving after the grilling. Handled at its full length, the knife would be unwieldy, but the riveted tang is comfortable on the hands should you want to slide closer to the blade for better precision. All of these come in a leather roll for storage and carrying to complete the look and feel of the set. Price at time of publish: $500 What's Included: Spatula, Tongs, Knife, ForkMaterial: Stainless Steel, WoodCase: Yes Best Variety Taimasi 34-Piece Grilling Tool Set Amazon View On Amazon Pros The set includes the essentials as well as some nice additions. Cons The stainless steel handles would benefit from a non-slip treatment, and the grill brush is a bit clunky compared to contemporary designs. If you're looking for a little bit of everything for yourself or as a gift, you're in good shape with this 34-piece set from Taimasi. Given the number of pieces for the price, they aren't top quality but are still quite serviceable. The tongs have a tapered tip and good springiness, and the 16-inch spatula is long enough to keep your hands out of the fire without being unwieldy. We would like to see less attention to adding cutting grooves in the side of the spatula and more to a tapered head design, but it still performs well. The add-ons of this kit are what set it apart, such as a digital probe thermometer for measuring the doneness of meats or hitting critical temperatures for vegetables. The injector can be useful for moistening and flavoring larger cuts of meat or poultry. The fork tines are a little wider than preferred but aren't out of line by any means. The heat-resistant grilling gloves are a nice inclusion for the set, allowing you to move large, hot pieces of food by hand without burning yourself. Price at time of publish: $40 What's Included: Tongs, Spatula, Fork, Skewers, Basting Brushes, Grill Cleaning Brushes, Thermometer, Grill Glove, Salt and Pepper Shakers, Knives, Meat Injector, Grill Mats, Kitchen Shears, Corn HoldersMaterial: Stainless Steel, SiliconeCase: Yes Best for Gifting Cuisinart Premium 10-Piece Grilling Set Amazon View On Amazon View On Wayfair View On Walmart Pros The spatula and tongs are easy to maneuver, and the wood handles are comfortable and attractive. Cons The wooden handles require handwashing and the fork shape is a little larger than we'd like. Some folks, like Gilbert, prefer their grill tools with wood handles. Wood provides a certain degree of heat resistance and doesn't melt like plastic. We're a far cry from the wood-handled tools of decades past – clunky, splintery, and obtusely long. For its larger pieces, the set contains a fork and tongs similar to the Cuisinart set that we named Best Overall. The spatula is a more conservative design with a slightly tapered head. Also included are a grill brush and a set of metal skewers for use on the grill. The through-riveted handles are smooth finished wood with rounded edges for an easy grip. All this comes packed in a leather case for easy storage and transportation. Price at time of publish: $63 What's Included: Fork, Spatula, Tongs, Grill Brush, SkewersMaterial: Stainless Steel, WoodCase: Yes Our Favorite At the end of the day, you are the best judge of what works for you in a grill tool set. We recommend the Cuisinart Deluxe Grill Set, as it will equip you for essentially any grilling task. You're not going to go wrong with any of these sets; base your decision on how you grill and what degree of usefulness you'll find in each as it applies to your grilling style. Factors to Consider Material All of the tools reviewed here start with the same stainless steel construction. Our panel of experts agrees on that as a solid foundation. Stainless steel is a long-lasting, strong, rust-resistant material when kept clean, dry, and out of the elements. The variation from there comes in the handles. Some are plain steel, others have plastic or silicone, and others have wood. Basting brushes are equally subjective, with some preferring a stiff brush over silicone or vice versa. Narrow down what type of material you want – plain, slip-resistant, heat-resistant, or wood, to offer a few suggestions. After that, assess how the tools feel in your hand. There is little point in getting something that doesn't have the handle you want or isn't comfortable holding. Handle Length In the past, many handles were almost cartoonish in their length. A long handle will keep your hands away from the fire, but the trade-off comes at the price of dexterity. Move on if the handle is too long to easily use the tool. Our experts agree that anywhere between 12 to 16 inches is optimal for attaining both goals. Tools Included This is a personal choice. Do you need just the basics or want thermometers and steak knives as part of your arsenal? Buy the tools you need for the way you grill and upgrade from there if necessary. Frequently Asked Questions What are the "must-have" grilling tools? Ask three chefs what they have to have on hand when grilling, and you'll get three distinctly different answers. Bhatt and Gilbert find common ground in requiring tongs and a spatula. McDaniel also wants tongs but will forgo the spatula in favor of a meat fork and chef's knife. We tend to prefer the former combination. Gilbert also wants a basting brush or mop to apply mop sauces to his longer-cooking foods. Where should you store grilling tools? The opinions vary. McDaniel and Gilbert keep theirs in the kitchen while Bhatt stores his under the grill. In either case, ensuring that your tools are clean and dry before storing them and then again before cooking are keys to preventing the spread of food-borne illnesses. How do you clean barbecue tools? Some claim they like to build up a "seasoning" on their tools, which we do not recommend. Moreover, the tools reviewed here are all stainless steel and are not receptive to seasoning. Whatever builds up on stainless steel tools is not to be saved and savored.Across the board, our experts like to give tools a quick wash with gentle dish soap. The tools may need soaking to loosen some gunk and a gentle scrubbing to remove any last bits of residue. Many of the tools reviewed here are dishwasher-safe and may not require much effort to clean at all. Our Expertise Greg Baker is an award-winning chef, restaurateur, and food writer with decades of experience in the food industry. For this piece, he interviewed chefs Kenny Gilbert, Vishwesh Bhatt, and Rob McDaniel to find out what the pros look for when selecting sets of grill tools. He then used their insights, his own expertise, and market research to curate this list. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit