Barbecue Accessories
The right accessories make every cook easier and the results better. A reliable meat thermometer takes the guesswork out of doneness. Good tongs and a solid spatula give you control over the grill without fighting your tools. A grill brush and proper cleaning kit keep your equipment performing and extend its life. A chimney starter means no lighter fluid and no chemical taste in your food. These are not optional extras – they are the difference between a frustrating cook and a good one.
The articles in this collection cover accessories for grills, smokers, and pizza ovens across every category – cooking tools, temperature monitoring, cleaning and maintenance, fire management, storage, and more. We cover options at different price points so you can build out your kit without overspending on things that do not matter and without skimping on the ones that do.
Frequently Asked Questions
What accessories do I need to get started grilling?
At minimum you need a reliable meat thermometer, long-handled tongs, a spatula, a grill brush, and heat-resistant gloves. A chimney starter is essential if you use charcoal. These six items cover the basics of cooking safely and cleaning up properly. Everything else is an upgrade that adds convenience or capability – but you can start strong with just these.
What is the best type of meat thermometer for grilling?
An instant-read thermometer is the most versatile option for everyday grilling. It gives you an accurate temperature reading in seconds and works for everything from steaks to chicken to pork. Leave-in probe thermometers are useful for long cooks like smoking brisket or pork shoulder where you want to monitor temperature continuously without lifting the lid. Wireless probe thermometers with app connectivity are a good upgrade for smokers and pellet grills where you want to monitor remotely.
Are grill brushes with metal bristles safe to use?
Traditional wire grill brushes can shed bristles onto the grates which creates a safety risk if they end up in food. Many grillers have switched to bristle-free alternatives – coil-style stainless steel brushes, wooden scrapers, or grill stones. If you use a traditional wire brush check the grates carefully after cleaning and replace the brush as soon as the bristles start to loosen. For ceramic or porcelain-coated grates avoid metal bristles entirely as they can scratch the surface.
Do I need a chimney starter if I use charcoal?
Yes – a chimney starter is one of the best investments you can make for charcoal grilling. It gets your coals fully lit and ashed over in about 15 to 20 minutes without lighter fluid, which can affect the flavor of your food and creates unnecessary chemical exposure. It is faster, cleaner, and more reliable than lighter fluid. Once you use a chimney starter you will not go back.
What accessories work across grills, smokers, and pizza ovens?
Meat thermometers, heat-resistant gloves, long-handled tongs, basting brushes, and cleaning tools all transfer across equipment types. A pizza peel is specific to pizza ovens but essential if you are cooking pizza regularly. Smoker-specific accessories like a water pan, diffuser plate, or pellet storage container are useful if you smoke regularly. Build your kit around what you cook most often and add specialty items as your cooking expands.