The best BBQ tools and accessories

The best BBQ tools will take your grilling skills to the next level. Throwing the perfect barbecue involves more than just rolling out the barbie onto your patio. For starters, you need some form of heat protection; after that, depending on what you're cooking, there are all kinds of tools and accessories that will make grilling different types of food that much easier.

Our pick of the best BBQ tools gather the coolest grilling accessories into one place to ensure no burnt fingers, sticking fillets or – perish the thought – undercooked sausages. From oyster cookers to meat thermometers, pork pulling claws or just your run-of-the-mill spatula and tongs, we've got the tools and accessories you need to turn up the heat this summer.

If you've not yet found the best barbecue, check out our guide. Otherwise, learn how to barbecue right with help from us.

WHAT IS THE BEST BBQ TOOL?

We all love BBQs for their laid-back vibe, but it’s important to think about safety first. 

Our top pick for the perfect cookout this summer is the Etekcity Lasergrip Infrared Thermometer, which measures the temperature of meat without so much as touching it thanks to clever IR technology, meaning less risk of food poisoning and cross-contamination. In that same spirit, we’ve also included Weber Premium BBQ Gloves, which keep burns at bay without hampering your movement. 

Our pick of the best BBQ toolset is the John Lewis & Partners Bamboo BBQ Tool Set. It features 16 tools inside a carry case, all of which are made from bamboo and steel.

HOW TO BUY THE BEST BBQ TOOLS AND ACCESSORIES

The first three barbecue tools and accessories in the list below are the basics that you'll need for barbecuing; the rest are helpful extras. We've also included a few BBQ accessories for cooking things like fish, chicken and pork, just for a helping hand.

• Long handled tongs – this is your main BBQ tool; 
• A fork – use this sparingly (and don't pierce meat with it or you'll lose the juices;
• A spatula; 
• A long handled basting brush
• A temperature gauge/thermometer;
• BBQ gloves;
• A stiff wire grill brush;
• A fire extinguisher (never hurts); 
• A flashlight or head torch for night BBQing.

THE BEST BBQ TOOLS AND ACCESSORIES

While the slightly more intuitive method of cooking is what attracts many to the art of barbecuing, it can sometimes feel a little like playing with fire. For extra peace of mind, especially when cooking for those with low immunity or pregnant women, it makes sense to grab yourself a grill thermometer to test the interior temperature of the meat, and this one from Etekcity is considered the best by reviewers. Users loved the accuracy and value, and the fact that it doesn’t need to come in direct contact with the meat, unlike many other models, means no risk of cross-contamination. If you're only looking to invest in one BBQ accessory this summer, this is the best BBQ tool you can buy, bar none.

Shop more Etekcity products at Amazon

Featuring 24 different tools from a spatula to basting brush, tongs, a cleaning brush and even skewers for meat or vegetables, this luxury BBQ tool set from John Lewis is a must-have when it comes to grilling. Not only does it feature all you need to barbecue the day away, but it all fits in a handy carry case for easy storing come winter. All handles are made from stainless steel, which makes them a breeze to clean. The best BBQ toolset you can buy, for looks and practicality, we think.

Shop more BBQ accessories at John Lewis & Partners

If you haven’t tried the beer can chicken method for yourself, chances are you’ve at least heard about it. But if you don’t fancy the indignity of grabbing a can of Stella and putting it somewhere unmentionable, this Landmann version offers a slightly more distinguished take on the barbecue classic. The stainless steel ‘beer can’ has a wider base for added stability, keeping your chook upright, and its reusable nature means you can choose your own marinade, whether that be wine, stock, or any manner of inventive concoctions, resulting in a juicy, tasty bird. The best BBQ accessory for cooking chicken, we think!

Find more Landmann products at Amazon

Anyone who’s ever tried to shred meat with a couple of forks and a shedload of patience knows that it’s probably not the most efficient method, and the makers of the Kodiak Klaws clearly agree. These shredder claws ensure you won’t burn your hands or bend your tableware out of shape in the pursuit of perfectly pulled pork, brisket, or poultry – they even come recommended for tossing salads, serving spaghetti and holding fruits firm while cutting, giving these claws more mileage than you might think. And with a BPA-free and heat-resistant plastic construction, it’s perfectly safe for you to get stuck in. A must-have BBQ accessory for cooking pulled pork this summer.

Find more pulled pork claws at Amazon

Get the pescatarians in on the fun, or simply expand your grill skills, thanks to this BBQ fish basket by Weber. It solves the age-old problem of fish sticking to, and inevitably falling apart on, the grill, meaning you lose half of your delicious catch to the coals. This basket simply holds fish of all sizes firmly and allows for easy turning to ensure an even cook. The expandable design means it can stretch to fit everything from sardine fillets to a whole fish, and it’s even dishwasher safe for simpler cleanup, although reviewers do recommend giving it a soak first. The best BBQ accessory for cooking fish.

Find other BBQ accessories from Weber at Amazon

For those who have already mastered langoustine and sea bass as part of their BBQ repertoire, this oyster pan represents the next step in gourmet grilling. You can use it to serve chilled oysters without the risk of spilling any of that amazing liquor thanks to the perfectly-sized inlets, or grill shucked oysters to perfection. The heavy duty cast iron offers even heating, a must when cooking over open flames, and the seasoned non-stick coating means no struggles when it’s time to serve up. For those looking for the best BBQ tool that's also unusual, you can't go wrong with this oyster cooker.

See more Outset products at Amazon

You want to feel the heat at your next barbecue of course, but not literally. That’s where these best BBQ gloves, also by Weber, come in. They protect your hands from the heat of the grill and any conductive metal implements, and are engineered to withstand temperatures up to 260 celsius without reducing dexterity. The slim-cut knitted design means you can still feel what you’re working with, so no clumsiness for the sake of safety, and the silicone grip cleverly woven into the palm ensures that even oil-slippery handles are no match. 

Shop more Weber products at Amazon

MORE ON COOKING OUTSIDE:

• More of a traditionalist? Take a look at our best charcoal barbecues
• Want to cook indoors and out? Don't miss our best electric grills
• Want to fire up quickly? Find the best gas barbecue for you
• Take your barbecue with you? We've found the best portable BBQs