How to Kit Out Your BBQ: The Tools Every Griller Needs
The first BBQ of the season is coming up, but the tongs have gone missing, and you're about to get stuck flipping burgers with a kitchen spatula. Before you fire up the grill, let's get your BBQ tools sorted.
We'll run through the five essentials worth buying first, what to look for to make your BBQ accessories last, and which extras can wait until you're ready to expand your grilling repertoire.
The five BBQ tools you need first
Tongs, a wide turner, a meat thermometer, a basting brush and a cleaning brush or scraper are the five BBQ tools every griller needs. Between them, you've got the essentials covered: grip, flip, check, flavour and clean.
Here's what each tool does and what to look for when buying:
- Tongs: Your go-to for turning sausages, steaks and vegetables on the grill. Look for long handles to keep your hands away from the heat, a locking mechanism for easy storage and scalloped tips for a secure grip.
- Turner (BBQ spatula): Essential for flipping burgers, fish and eggs on a flat hotplate. Choose a wide, thin, sturdy head that slides easily under food, ideally with slots to drain excess fat.
- Meat thermometer: Takes the guesswork out of cooking chicken, sausages and thick steaks. Look for a fast, easy-to-read display and a probe long enough to reach the centre of larger cuts.
- Basting brush: Makes it easy to apply marinades and glazes while cooking. Heat-resistant silicone bristles are a practical choice because they're easy to clean and won't shed like traditional bristles.
- Cleaning brush or scraper: Helps remove grease and cooked-on food after every BBQ. Choose one suited to your cooking surface, whether that's grill bars or a flat hotplate.
What separates a BBQ tool that lasts
Handle length, materials and sturdy construction all affect how well BBQ tools hold up over time. Here are six details worth checking before you buy:
- Handle length: Longer handles keep your hands further from the heat, especially when reaching across a hot grill. Check the listed dimensions and choose a length you can control comfortably.
- Stainless steel construction: A sturdy, rust-resistant choice for BBQ utensils, particularly if you cook outdoors regularly. Check that the head and handle are securely joined and have no loose or wobbly parts.
- Locking tongs: A simple locking mechanism keeps the arms closed, making tongs easier to store in a drawer or BBQ tool case.
- Heat-resistant silicone: Useful for basting brushes and tong tips, especially on non-stick surfaces. Check the manufacturer's stated temperature rating rather than assuming all silicone can handle the same heat.
- Hanging loops or hooks: Handy for keeping tools within reach while cooking and off the bench between uses.
- Dishwasher-safe materials: BBQ tools get greasy, so easy cleaning is a big plus. Check the care instructions, as not every utensil is dishwasher safe.
Are BBQ tool sets worth it?
A BBQ tool set makes sense if you're starting from scratch and it includes the essentials you'll actually use. If you're only replacing one or two tools, buying them separately may be better value.
Look for a set with tongs, a turner and a basting brush, ideally with sturdy stainless steel construction and practical storage. Check how many pieces you'll genuinely use before deciding.
Browse our Outdoor collection for more BBQ accessories.
Why a meat thermometer is the most useful BBQ tool you’re not using
A meat thermometer is the most reliable way to check whether chicken, sausages and burgers are safely cooked through. It's also handy for checking steak as it cooks, so you can get the centre just how you like it without cutting into the meat.
According to Food Standards Australia New Zealand, chicken, sausages and minced meat products such as burger patties should reach an internal temperature of at least 75°C. Whole cuts of beef and lamb, such as steaks, have different cooking guidelines and can be cooked to your preferred doneness.
Using a meat thermometer is simple:
- Check the thickest part: Insert the probe into the centre of the meat, where it takes the longest to cook.
- Avoid the bone: Keep the probe clear of bones, fat and gristle, which can affect the reading.
- Check more than one piece: When cooking for a crowd, test several sausages, burgers or chicken pieces rather than assuming they're all ready at the same time.
Remember to clean the probe between uses, especially when checking different meats. Browse our Thermometers & Timers collection.
Prep and serving: the half of the BBQ that happens off the grill
A few kitchen essentials make preparing and serving BBQ food easier and safer, especially when you're cooking for a crowd.
Here's what to add to your BBQ accessories checklist:
- Two chopping boards: Keep one for preparing raw meat and another for vegetables and ready-to-eat foods. Using separate boards helps prevent cross-contamination. Browse our Chopping Boards collection.
- Carving knife and fork: Ideal for slicing roasts, whole chickens and thick steaks after they've rested. A sharp carving knife gives you clean, even slices, while the fork holds the meat steady. See our Carving Knives & Forks collection.
- Two serving platters: Use one to carry raw meat out to the BBQ and a separate, clean platter for cooked food coming off the grill. Never put cooked meat back onto a platter that held raw meat unless it's been thoroughly washed.
- A bowl or container for marinades: Keep sauces and marinades handy for brushing onto food as it cooks. Set aside any marinade you'll use for basting or serving before it comes into contact with raw meat.
- Skewers: Perfect for threading chicken, prawns and vegetables into easy-to-turn portions. If you're using bamboo skewers, soak them in water for around 30 minutes before grilling to help reduce scorching.
Cooking beyond the grill plate
Once you've got the basic BBQ tools sorted, a cast iron grill pan or skillet opens up more cooking options. Both are handy for cooking vegetables, seafood and smaller ingredients without losing pieces through the grill bars.
- Grill pans and griddles: Ideal for searing vegetables, fish and other delicate foods. Browse our Grill Pans & Griddles.
- Cast iron skillets: Great for prawns, mushrooms, smaller cuts of meat and side dishes. Explore our Cast Iron Frypans & Skillets.
Always check that your cookware is suitable for your BBQ and heat source, and use heat-resistant mitts when handling hot cast iron.
Protect yourself and the BBQ
An apron, heat-resistant oven mitts and regular cleaning help protect you while keeping your BBQ in good condition.
- Apron: Protects your clothes from grease and marinades. Look for adjustable straps and a comfortable fit.
- Oven mitts: Choose heat-resistant mitts with a secure grip for handling hot cookware.
- Cleaning tools: When choosing a brush for cleaning your BBQ, match it to the cooking surface, whether that's grill bars or a flat hotplate. Clean while the surface is still warm, not scorching hot, and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Building your BBQ kit on a budget
Start with the five essential BBQ tools, add prep and serving pieces next, and save specialist extras until you know you'll use them.
- Start with: Tongs, turner, meat thermometer, basting brush and cleaning brush or scraper.
- Add next: Two chopping boards, carving knife and fork, separate platters for raw and cooked food, apron and heat-resistant mitts.
- Add later: BBQ-suitable grill pan or skillet, skewers and any specialist accessories you'll use regularly.
Check what you already own before buying. Your kitchen might have some of these essentials covered.
Cooking for a crowd? Read our Ultimate Guide to Hosting a BBQ for more tips.
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