I Grill Every Week During the Summer, and I Use These 7 Tools Every Single Time

With summertime just around the corner, the time has come to uncover the grill from its winter hibernation, dust off the cobwebs, and make sure you have all the proper grilling tools. Whether you grill on charcoal, pellets, live fire, or propane, you need the right ingredients, and the right tools.

Take it from me: I’ve been a chef for over 15 years, and when it’s warm out, I’m grilling at least once a week. Keep reading to shop my seven favorite grill tools, from an instant read thermometer to a really excellent pepper grinder. Prices start at just $18. 

Chef-Approved Grilling Tools at Amazon

Javelin Thermometer  

This little hand-held thermometer is perfect for checking temps on the fly, offering ultra-fast and reliable readings across all cooking temperatures. It also folds up in a super compact shape, perfect for nestling in pockets. Personally, I love the magnetized backing, which means I can hang it on my fridge when I’m not using it. I’ve been cooking professionally for 15+ years and this little thermometer has been one of my most solid and reliable kitchen tools all along the way. 

BBQ-Aid Grill Brush

One of the most common issues with many grill brushes is lack of durability, lasting maybe a season before breaking or shedding its bristles. With this BBQ-aid tool, you can put those worries aside. This brush ranks among the most durable on the market, made with rust-proof, reinforced stainless steel, rot-resistant and ergonomic 16-inch Acacia wood handle, and replaceable brush heads. This tool has been a game changer for quick and efficient grill cleaning, cutting through grease and grime build-up in a matter of seconds. 

OXO Grill Tongs

These 16-inch tongs are perfect for outdoor grilling, keeping your hands and arm hair safe from the heat and flames, while still being dexterous and agile. The end of the tongs do a fantastic job of preventing food from slipping, maintaining a stable grip even when moving heavy steaks or more slippery oiled ingredients. The hinge is heavy duty – the ones I bought three years ago to this day show no signs of fatigue or wear. The tongs can also close and lock with a push-pull lever on the top for easy storage and cleaning.

Grillers Choice Grill Basket

This versatile grilling apparatus provides greater range in desired cooking. Here’s how: It allows you to cook smaller ingredients such as asparagus, green beans, and other foods that might fall through grill grates without losing even a single one. Plus, it helps you impart that delightful flavor of direct flame and smoke onto these ingredients. Easy to clean and store nestled away with other cooking pans, this grill basket should be a must-buy for the outdoor grilling enthusiast. 

Miu Large Fish Spatula

This large fish spatula is one of my most widely used tools due to its versatility and efficiency. While perfect for turning delicate pieces of fish on the grill, it’s also my go-to for burgers and bigger vegetables, like portobello mushrooms, zucchini, or eggplant. Its thin, slotted frame also allows more dexterity when handling the more fragile grill ingredients. It’s incredibly heavy duty, constructed from stainless steel with a riveted handle, while still being quite lightweight (it weighs just 4-ounces). 

Firsgrill Cast Iron Grill Press, Set of 2

These heavy-duty, cast-iron grill bricks have been a revelation for my outdoor cooking. They have equalized weight distribution for perfect grill marks and even cooking every time. I love the two different sizes of press: The smaller round one is perfect for burgers, while the larger rectangular one is great for larger proteins. Easy to clean and season, these grill presses should last you a lifetime.

Mannkitchen Pepper Cannon

You may ask, what on earth is a pepper cannon, and why would I possibly need that? Well, I’m here to tell you I was skeptical at first too, especially given the price tag($200). However, I quickly came around upon seeing firsthand how incredibly efficient it is. The pepper cannon is a more sophisticated older brother of the traditional pepper grinder. Bottom line, it can mill peppercorns up to 10 times faster than my old Peugeot. Plus, it provides a wide range of desired pepper texture, from coarse cracked to fine powder, while also saving time and your wrist.