We consider comfort an important metric because if these tools are not comfortable to use, you are much less likely to use them. The tongs have a classic scallop design, but uniquely, the teeth are turned inward, providing a superior grip on food when compared directly to almost every other pair we tested. This heavy-duty turner excels at smashing burgers Shake Shackstyle on a griddle with minimal effort. Since it can withstand higher temperatures, the Dot can also monitor the ambient temperature of grills and smokers (ThermoWorks sells affordably priced grate clips and air probes separately). The design sports a tightly rolled lip and a generous 1-inch rim thats comfortable and easy to hold with one hand, important when youre working fast over the grill. Our team spent hours comparing and contrasting some of the most popular grill tool sets on the market today. Whether you spend every night braving the weather to cook over an open flame or simply love the occasional kabob on a beautiful summer evening, grill tools are a practical solution to keep you cooking and your hands out of the fire. Nobody used any other kind of thermometers.. The GrillFloss is simply a metal pole with a small, rounded hook jutting out the end. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. For our testers, this feature prompted longevity concerns, leading Sam Sifton to point out, "Rubber and high heat have no place in the same sentence. In the latest round of testing, we gathered the following food and cooking experts from Wirecutter and The New York Times to combine forces at a backyard-grilling boot camp: Over the course of four days, we tested these tools while cooking more than 100 burgers, 20chickens, and 10 pounds of vegetables on nine different grills. We spent days poring over every detail, analyzing quality and durability, measuring handle length and spatula size, and considering ergonomics. Her expertise builds on a lifelong career in the culinary worldfrom a restaurant cook and caterer to a food editor at Martha Stewart. Despite their appearance and feel, we worry a bit about the wood on the handles separating over time particularly on the tongs, which are not reinforced. We think the best option for cooking diced vegetables on the grill is using the affordably priced Grillaholics Grill Basket. At 24 sq. 
While the GrillGrates did manage to eliminate any chance of a flare-up, wed rather have more contact with the high ambient heat from the firebox to get the browned crust and crispy, rendered fat cap we look for in a grilled steak, or the nicely charred surface that makes for great grilled veggies. But criticism aside, this set represents an incomparable value, particularly when you consider all of the extra tools included with your purchase. Whether youre shopping at Home Depot, Lowes, or your local hardware store, we're updating Cyber Monday deals on tools, gear, and more. We filled the basket with hot coals from the chimney starter, topped with peach-wood chunks, and filled the reservoir with water. OXOs tongs also include the cushioned grips that have become synonymous with the Good Grips line. They claim to deliver a better sear and higher heat than the grill manufacturers grates, while also eliminating flare-ups. That means less hand fatiguea real issue when youre cooking a grills worth of food. Despite their bulk, they are surprisingly lightweight but that comes at the expense of durability. GearLab is reader-supported. The full bristle set on the OXO brush was neither too stiff nor too wobbly, with just the right amount of flexibility to create a smooth, even layer of barbecue sauce over the surface of the meat. If you need locking tongs with a hanging loop, theOXO Good Grips 16 Grilling Tongs are a good alternative to our top pick. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. The majority of the utensils are so similar to the award-winning Home-Complete set that you can rest assured that you are buying a kit filled with quality grilling tools. These gloves offer better heat protection than Nomex or silicone, and better dexterity than standard kitchen oven mitts. The Winco tongs have a comfortable spread when open, and the spring provides just enough resistance, so your hands dont get fatigued when grilling for a crowd; many other tongs are too stiff and quickly tire out your hands. He has anchored our unequaled coverage of air purifiers and water filters since 2015. The Cuisinart 13-Piece Bamboo Set will perfectly fit the aesthetic of the modern kitchen. The Weber Rapidfire has two handles, so you can securely dump hot coals into your grill. The brush is also dishwasher safe. With teeth on the end of the head, the tongs of the Anpro set are particularly suited for small-scale tasks that require accuracy, like adjusting shrimp on a skewer. If you can't find what you are looking for in the OlarHike 25-Piece set, it's not very likely you need it. Tools Included: Tongs (non-locking), spatula, fork. Need some shade for your patio? What better way to showcase your commitment to your favorite team than with a custom laser-engraved set of tools? And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. Barbecue experts agree that the best way to protect hands from ambient heat while grilling is to use a set of suede or split-leather welding gloves. However, if it's too big, it becomes difficult to flip individual items on a full grill. The first notable difference is that this set excludes an oversized fork which is, as far as we can tell, a useless tool that should never come into contact with your grilled meats. In addition to gloves, we suggest using tongs or cheap terry bar mops for a secure grip and better heat barrier. Our team of culinary experts compared these sets side-by-side to tease out the subtle differences between spatulas and tongs. We think the smart money is on buying only what you need, choosing tools of top quality, instead of paying for low-quality extras that inevitably turn into clutter. Sheet pans are just as useful by the grill as they are in the kitchen, and our durable pick is an excellent value. In a world of sterile stainless steel tools, the Cuisinart set presents a colorful alternative. Since bakers sheets offer so much versatility in the kitchen and by the grill, youll want to stock up. Learn more. If comfort is a top priority, the Weber 3-Piece set also includes sticky, rubber grips that are incredibly comfortable to hold. We also tested GrillGrates, which consist of anodized aluminum plates that link together in sections and rest on the existing grates or grate holders. Its a virtual twin (aside from having a different-colored handle) to our former pick, the discontinued Qually United grill brush. Read on to learn more. A quality instant-read thermometer is maybe one of the most valuable tools in a kitchen. We liked the wide handle on the Hells Handle spatula because it felt secure in the hand and provided more leverage than most of the competition. 
We discussed the usability, quality, durability, and price of every tool, and we are confident that our picks will be top performers throughout grilling season. The Slow N Sear Deluxe offers deft heat control from the lowest to the highest temperatures, the utility of a water reservoir, lengthy set-it-and-forget-it cook times on a single load of coal, and dead-simple setup and cleanup. Bright colors aside, this is overall an average set that includes just the basics: spatula, tongs, and fork. Keep in mind that grill brushes only loosen carbonized food and sootthey dont clean the grate. Although they are hugely popular with professionals and grilling enthusiasts, we were less impressed. So for me, I never trust the silicone. Between them, they held enough sauce that we didnt have to continuously reapply. As for cleaning suede or leather grilling gloves, Craig Meathead Goldwyn of AmazingRibs.com offered us some tips: Wash them with soap and water, or simply wait for them to dry and then brush off dried grease and sauces. Whether youre grilling chicken pieces or multiple racks of ribs, a basting brush that can generously apply barbecue sauce without deteriorating over high heat is a necessary tool for the job. The Weber chimney starter has a spacious main chamber that measures 9 by 7 inches and has a 6-quart capacity, or about 90 briquets. Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. The locking mechanism on the tongs in our set was a bit loose and actually snapped into action randomly while we were using them. If grilling is an art and the barbeque is the canvas, then a set of grill tools are your brushes. Just be careful not to leave them out in the sun! Although the Anpro spatula (and most other tools) are a fraction of the size of many other sets, it makes them more nimble and more versatile for use on the grill and in the kitchen. Less-expensive, less-controllable, and less-versatile options, such as Webers plain grill baskets, existheck, as Sam Sifton of The New York Times quipped, you can just "use three bricks" to corral the coals if youre doing only indirect cooking (they cost about 60 apiece). The oversized spatula is anything but nimble and is actually too wide to flip individual items close together on a full grill. Sifton noted, The 16-inch is your standard summer go-to for summer grilling, and I use them interchangeably inside and outside. Wincos heavy-duty stainless steel tongs are sturdy enough to securely grip large cuts of meat and are dishwasher safe. More affordable and precise than competitors, these 16-inch stainless steel tongs offer the best balance of comfort and dexterity for cooking over open flames. In conjunction with our charcoal grill testing, we spent a week putting these tools through real-life cooking scenarios. Secondly, the tongs have a unique "clamshell" shape, which gives you more surface area for easier gripping and flipping. The beveled edge of this wooden grill paddle takes on the pattern of your grill, becoming a custom scraper that hugs the grates. Whether it's finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we'll help you get it right (the first time). For more recommendations, see our full guide to probe thermometers. For me, I like welders gloves or suede gloves.. The experts we spoke with recommended an instant-read thermometer over a probe thermometer: Instant-read models are faster, and they generally last longer since they have no exposed cables that could deteriorate in the heat. We dont think these are dealbreakers, though, because, as Wirecutter senior staff writer Tim Heffernan put it, you can "just sling them over the nearest handle on your grill." No ads. The result was some of the best salsa weve ever made, without turning the kitchen into a sweatbox with a hot oven. Its a perfectly acceptable pair [of tongs], but the rubber is going to fail first." If you want the fastest instant-read thermometer, one beloved by the pros, we recommend getting the Thermapen One. In our tests, the ThermoPop was quick at reading temperatures, and very accurate. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions. These full stainless steel tools also lack grips or ergonomics of any sort. The Weber 3-Piece Premium, Alpha Grillers 4-Piece, and BBQ-Aid 3-Piece sets all have tools with average handle lengths in the range of 17 inches the longest in our review but the spatula heads are also some of the largest. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. But if your team comes first, then there is no better way to show off your pride while grilling. How can we improve GearLab? A thick top-grain leather exterior, a soft cotton interior, and durable lock-stitching on the US Forge gloves will help them stand up to years of abuse. Tools Included: Tongs (locking), spatula, grill brush (bamboo scrubber), basting brush, 4 skewers, 4 bamboo corn cob holders. One such item is hardly a necessity, but we can see why its a favorite among charcoal enthusiasts. This is a surprisingly affordable set, considering the number of pieces included and the fact that it all comes in a hard-sided aluminum case. In our tests, the bristles of the Le Creuset brush held a good amount of barbecue sauce and created an even coating over the meat. Subscribe now for unlimited access. According to a representative of the manufacturer, the polypropylene handle can withstand temperatures of up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Other gloves we tested included the Weber 6472 Barbecue Mitt, the San Jamar Kool-Tek Conventional Oven Mitt, and the Ove Glove Hot Surface Handler. Despite their size and construction, these tools are noticeably heavier than others we tested. And while the Mercer Hells Handle Square Edge Turner has a sharp edge and a sturdy blade that performed admirably in our tests, its bulky size hindered agility on a crowded grill. Unlike other sets in this review, we appreciate that this Anpro kit includes eight skewers instead of only two, plenty to realistically make a meal of grilled kabobs. Tired of trying to guess steak temperatures? If you are searching for tools with full wooden handles, you will be hard-pressed to find a set at a better price point than the BBQ-Aid 3-Piece Grill Set. Privacy | Cookies | Terms, We tested grill tools from Alpha Grillers, Cuisinart, Weber, and others to discover which sets were best.
While the GrillGrates did manage to eliminate any chance of a flare-up, wed rather have more contact with the high ambient heat from the firebox to get the browned crust and crispy, rendered fat cap we look for in a grilled steak, or the nicely charred surface that makes for great grilled veggies. But criticism aside, this set represents an incomparable value, particularly when you consider all of the extra tools included with your purchase. Whether youre shopping at Home Depot, Lowes, or your local hardware store, we're updating Cyber Monday deals on tools, gear, and more. We filled the basket with hot coals from the chimney starter, topped with peach-wood chunks, and filled the reservoir with water. OXOs tongs also include the cushioned grips that have become synonymous with the Good Grips line. They claim to deliver a better sear and higher heat than the grill manufacturers grates, while also eliminating flare-ups. That means less hand fatiguea real issue when youre cooking a grills worth of food. Despite their bulk, they are surprisingly lightweight but that comes at the expense of durability. GearLab is reader-supported. The full bristle set on the OXO brush was neither too stiff nor too wobbly, with just the right amount of flexibility to create a smooth, even layer of barbecue sauce over the surface of the meat. If you need locking tongs with a hanging loop, theOXO Good Grips 16 Grilling Tongs are a good alternative to our top pick. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. The majority of the utensils are so similar to the award-winning Home-Complete set that you can rest assured that you are buying a kit filled with quality grilling tools. These gloves offer better heat protection than Nomex or silicone, and better dexterity than standard kitchen oven mitts. The Winco tongs have a comfortable spread when open, and the spring provides just enough resistance, so your hands dont get fatigued when grilling for a crowd; many other tongs are too stiff and quickly tire out your hands. He has anchored our unequaled coverage of air purifiers and water filters since 2015. The Cuisinart 13-Piece Bamboo Set will perfectly fit the aesthetic of the modern kitchen. The Weber Rapidfire has two handles, so you can securely dump hot coals into your grill. The brush is also dishwasher safe. With teeth on the end of the head, the tongs of the Anpro set are particularly suited for small-scale tasks that require accuracy, like adjusting shrimp on a skewer. If you can't find what you are looking for in the OlarHike 25-Piece set, it's not very likely you need it. Tools Included: Tongs (non-locking), spatula, fork. Need some shade for your patio? What better way to showcase your commitment to your favorite team than with a custom laser-engraved set of tools? And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. Barbecue experts agree that the best way to protect hands from ambient heat while grilling is to use a set of suede or split-leather welding gloves. However, if it's too big, it becomes difficult to flip individual items on a full grill. The first notable difference is that this set excludes an oversized fork which is, as far as we can tell, a useless tool that should never come into contact with your grilled meats. In addition to gloves, we suggest using tongs or cheap terry bar mops for a secure grip and better heat barrier. Our team of culinary experts compared these sets side-by-side to tease out the subtle differences between spatulas and tongs. We think the smart money is on buying only what you need, choosing tools of top quality, instead of paying for low-quality extras that inevitably turn into clutter. Sheet pans are just as useful by the grill as they are in the kitchen, and our durable pick is an excellent value. In a world of sterile stainless steel tools, the Cuisinart set presents a colorful alternative. Since bakers sheets offer so much versatility in the kitchen and by the grill, youll want to stock up. Learn more. If comfort is a top priority, the Weber 3-Piece set also includes sticky, rubber grips that are incredibly comfortable to hold. We also tested GrillGrates, which consist of anodized aluminum plates that link together in sections and rest on the existing grates or grate holders. Its a virtual twin (aside from having a different-colored handle) to our former pick, the discontinued Qually United grill brush. Read on to learn more. A quality instant-read thermometer is maybe one of the most valuable tools in a kitchen. We liked the wide handle on the Hells Handle spatula because it felt secure in the hand and provided more leverage than most of the competition. We discussed the usability, quality, durability, and price of every tool, and we are confident that our picks will be top performers throughout grilling season. The Slow N Sear Deluxe offers deft heat control from the lowest to the highest temperatures, the utility of a water reservoir, lengthy set-it-and-forget-it cook times on a single load of coal, and dead-simple setup and cleanup. Bright colors aside, this is overall an average set that includes just the basics: spatula, tongs, and fork. Keep in mind that grill brushes only loosen carbonized food and sootthey dont clean the grate. Although they are hugely popular with professionals and grilling enthusiasts, we were less impressed. So for me, I never trust the silicone. Between them, they held enough sauce that we didnt have to continuously reapply. As for cleaning suede or leather grilling gloves, Craig Meathead Goldwyn of AmazingRibs.com offered us some tips: Wash them with soap and water, or simply wait for them to dry and then brush off dried grease and sauces. Whether youre grilling chicken pieces or multiple racks of ribs, a basting brush that can generously apply barbecue sauce without deteriorating over high heat is a necessary tool for the job. The Weber chimney starter has a spacious main chamber that measures 9 by 7 inches and has a 6-quart capacity, or about 90 briquets. Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. The locking mechanism on the tongs in our set was a bit loose and actually snapped into action randomly while we were using them. If grilling is an art and the barbeque is the canvas, then a set of grill tools are your brushes. Just be careful not to leave them out in the sun! Although the Anpro spatula (and most other tools) are a fraction of the size of many other sets, it makes them more nimble and more versatile for use on the grill and in the kitchen. Less-expensive, less-controllable, and less-versatile options, such as Webers plain grill baskets, existheck, as Sam Sifton of The New York Times quipped, you can just "use three bricks" to corral the coals if youre doing only indirect cooking (they cost about 60 apiece). The oversized spatula is anything but nimble and is actually too wide to flip individual items close together on a full grill. Sifton noted, The 16-inch is your standard summer go-to for summer grilling, and I use them interchangeably inside and outside. Wincos heavy-duty stainless steel tongs are sturdy enough to securely grip large cuts of meat and are dishwasher safe. More affordable and precise than competitors, these 16-inch stainless steel tongs offer the best balance of comfort and dexterity for cooking over open flames. In conjunction with our charcoal grill testing, we spent a week putting these tools through real-life cooking scenarios. Secondly, the tongs have a unique "clamshell" shape, which gives you more surface area for easier gripping and flipping. The beveled edge of this wooden grill paddle takes on the pattern of your grill, becoming a custom scraper that hugs the grates. Whether it's finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we'll help you get it right (the first time). For more recommendations, see our full guide to probe thermometers. For me, I like welders gloves or suede gloves.. The experts we spoke with recommended an instant-read thermometer over a probe thermometer: Instant-read models are faster, and they generally last longer since they have no exposed cables that could deteriorate in the heat. We dont think these are dealbreakers, though, because, as Wirecutter senior staff writer Tim Heffernan put it, you can "just sling them over the nearest handle on your grill." No ads. The result was some of the best salsa weve ever made, without turning the kitchen into a sweatbox with a hot oven. Its a perfectly acceptable pair [of tongs], but the rubber is going to fail first." If you want the fastest instant-read thermometer, one beloved by the pros, we recommend getting the Thermapen One. In our tests, the ThermoPop was quick at reading temperatures, and very accurate. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions. These full stainless steel tools also lack grips or ergonomics of any sort. The Weber 3-Piece Premium, Alpha Grillers 4-Piece, and BBQ-Aid 3-Piece sets all have tools with average handle lengths in the range of 17 inches the longest in our review but the spatula heads are also some of the largest. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. But if your team comes first, then there is no better way to show off your pride while grilling. How can we improve GearLab? A thick top-grain leather exterior, a soft cotton interior, and durable lock-stitching on the US Forge gloves will help them stand up to years of abuse. Tools Included: Tongs (locking), spatula, grill brush (bamboo scrubber), basting brush, 4 skewers, 4 bamboo corn cob holders. One such item is hardly a necessity, but we can see why its a favorite among charcoal enthusiasts. This is a surprisingly affordable set, considering the number of pieces included and the fact that it all comes in a hard-sided aluminum case. In our tests, the bristles of the Le Creuset brush held a good amount of barbecue sauce and created an even coating over the meat. Subscribe now for unlimited access. According to a representative of the manufacturer, the polypropylene handle can withstand temperatures of up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Other gloves we tested included the Weber 6472 Barbecue Mitt, the San Jamar Kool-Tek Conventional Oven Mitt, and the Ove Glove Hot Surface Handler. Despite their size and construction, these tools are noticeably heavier than others we tested. And while the Mercer Hells Handle Square Edge Turner has a sharp edge and a sturdy blade that performed admirably in our tests, its bulky size hindered agility on a crowded grill. Unlike other sets in this review, we appreciate that this Anpro kit includes eight skewers instead of only two, plenty to realistically make a meal of grilled kabobs. Tired of trying to guess steak temperatures? If you are searching for tools with full wooden handles, you will be hard-pressed to find a set at a better price point than the BBQ-Aid 3-Piece Grill Set. Privacy | Cookies | Terms, We tested grill tools from Alpha Grillers, Cuisinart, Weber, and others to discover which sets were best.