We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. What to Buy Grilling & BBQ The 4 Best Barbecue Tool Sets, According to Pros Get basically everything you need to grill in one set. By Greg Baker Greg Baker Greg Baker is a chef, restaurant consultant, and writer with almost 40 years of experience in the industry. As an expert in outdoor cooking, Greg has written more than 30 articles on grilling and barbecuing for Food & Wine across categories including kamado grills, pizza ovens, and meat thermometers. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Updated on November 22, 2024 In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Our Favorite Barbecue Tool Set Factors to Consider FAQ Our Expertise Photo: Williams Sonoma When was the last time you replaced your barbecue tool set? Good gear is as essential as the right charcoal when cooking with fire. When investing in essential grilling and barbecue tools, the question is whether to buy them individually or as a set. If you opt for a set, you'll want to be sure it includes tools you'll actually use. I've cooked over live fire for most of my life and in my career as a chef, but because preferences are personal, I talked to three other chefs to hone in on the best barbecue tool sets for success. Chefs Kenny Gilbert, Vishwesh Bhatt, and Rob McDaniel tell us what they like and dislike in their grilling tools, what they need when cooking, and what they would like to make grilling more enjoyable. Our Top Picks Best Overall: SALE Cuisinart Deluxe BBQ Grill Tool Set at Amazon $60 $40 Jump to Review Best Basic Set: SALE OXO Good Grips Grilling 3 Piece Set at Amazon $33 $24 Jump to Review Best Splurge: Laguiole Aubrac 4-Piece Grill Tool Set at Williams Sonoma $500 Jump to Review Best for Gifting: SALE Cuisinart Premium 10-Piece Grilling Set at Amazon $90 $59 Jump to Review Best Overall Cuisinart Deluxe BBQ Grill Tool Set PHOTO: Crate & Barrel $60 $40 at Amazon $40 at Target $80 at Williams Sonoma Pros The shape and taper of the tongs and spatula make these tools more graceful to use, and the temperature probe meat fork is an added bonus. Cons Sharper skewers, a better grill brush, and non-slip handles would make this set even better. We've tested a lot of Cuisinart tools, and this set meets almost all of the criteria for the best barbecue tool set, including a spatula with a tapered head, tongs with graduating ends, and a grilling fork with strong, narrow tines, which put small punctures into whatever you're jabbing. Thick tines on a fork make significantly larger holes that allow heat to enter the food as it cooks, which results in uneven cooking. This utensil also includes a built-in digital thermometer. We find the grill brush a little clumsy, and the grill skewers could be sharper. Getting the three necessary components in their best form, however, makes up for that. What's Included: Tongs, Spatula, Temperature Probe Meat Fork, Corn Holders, Skewers, Grill Brush, Basting Brush | Material: Stainless Steel, Silicone | Case: Yes Best Basic Set OXO Good Grips Grilling 3 Piece Set PHOTO: Amazon $33 $24 at Amazon $33 at Sur La Table $33 at Sur La Table Pros The turner and tongs allow delicate work while being easy on the hands. Cons You may want to supplement this set with other grilling tools, which may cost more than buying one of the other bundles on our list. There are many reasons a person might have difficulty gripping or grasping. OXO succeeds in its quest to make kitchen and grilling tools comfortable to hold: In multiple categories, it's one of the best brands we've tested. This basic set comes with extra-long tongs and a turner, which are the most essential tools, whether have a portable grill or a built-in. The tongs feature a tapered tip that makes grasping and moving small items easier, while still being capable of handling larger, heavier items. The turner's beveled head easily slides under food to lift it from the grill. Both tools have long handles and a non-slip grip to keep your hands from getting too hot. The final piece in the set is a silicone tool rest that won't melt when kept near the grill. What's Included: Tongs, Spatula, Tool Rest | Material: Stainless Steel, Silicone | Case: No Best Splurge Laguiole Aubrac 4-Piece Grill Tool Set Laguiole en Aubrac 4-Piece Grill Tool Set. PHOTO: Williams Sonoma $500 at Williams Sonoma Pros The meat fork is a classic French design, which is a big plus in our book, and the set is both stylish and practical. Cons The fork and knife are longer than we would like, and we prefer tongs with a tapered tip for easier grabbing. If money is no object, this is the best barbecue tool set for quality and artistry. Other sets include several more pieces, but this four-piece, hand-crafted set features high-carbon stainless steel and sustainably sourced wenge wood handles that are as beautiful as they are useful. Indeed, Laguiole en Aubrac has been producing kitchen tools for almost 200 years with both style and practicality in mind, including some of the best flatware. The pincer-like tongs have blunted ends that make them a little awkward but not enough to take points off. The fork is a sensible design with narrow tines in the French tradition, which won't tear at your meat. The spatula is reasonably wide with a beveled edge, making getting under the food easier, and forgoes the cutting edges seen on other spatulas. Finally, the knife is a nice inclusion for serving after the grilling. Handled at its full length, the knife would be unwieldy, but the riveted tang is comfortable on the hands should you want to slide closer to the blade for better precision. All of these come in a leather roll for storage and carrying to complete the look and feel of the set. What's Included: Spatula, Tongs, Knife, Fork | Material: Stainless Steel, Wood | Case: Yes Best for Gifting Cuisinart Premium 10-Piece Grilling Set $90 $59 at Amazon $100 at Williams Sonoma $59 at Wayfair Pros The spatula and tongs are easy to maneuver, and the wood handles are comfortable and attractive. Cons The wooden handles require handwashing and the fork shape is a little larger than we'd like. Some folks, like Gilbert, prefer grill tools with wood handles. If you're looking for the best barbecue tool set to gift, wood certainly stands out from plastic, and it doesn't melt. We're a far cry from the wood-handled tools of decades past: clunky, splintery, and obtusely long. For its larger pieces, the set contains a fork and tongs similar to our pick for the best barbecue tool set overall. The spatula is a more conservative design with a slightly tapered head. Also included are a grill brush and a set of metal skewers for use on the grill. The through-riveted handles are smooth, finished wood with rounded edges for an easy grip. All this comes packed in a leather case for easy storage and transportation. What's Included: Fork, Spatula, Tongs, Grill Brush, Skewers | Material: Stainless Steel, Wood | Case: Yes Our Favorite Barbecue Tool Set At the end of the day, you are the best judge of what works for you in a grill tool set. We recommend the Cuisinart Deluxe Grill Set, as it will equip you for essentially any grilling task. You're not going to go wrong with any of these sets; base your decision on how you grill and what degree of usefulness you'll find in each as it applies to your grilling style. Factors to Consider Material All of the tools reviewed here start with the same stainless steel construction. Our panel of experts agrees on that as a solid foundation. Stainless steel is a long-lasting, strong, rust-resistant material when kept clean, dry, and out of the elements. The variation from there comes in the handles. Some are plain steel, others have plastic or silicone, and others have wood. Even if it's just on the handle, we recommend avoiding black plastic utensils due to a link between flame retardants used in them and cancer. Plus, plastic can melt near heat, so it's never been our preference. Handle Length In the past, many handles were almost cartoonish in their length. A long handle will keep your hands away from the fire, but the trade-off comes at the price of dexterity. Move on if the handle is too long to easily use the tool. Our experts agree that anywhere between 12 to 16 inches is optimal for attaining both goals. Tools Included This is a personal choice. Do you need just the basics or want thermometers and steak knives as part of your arsenal? Buy the tools you need for the way you grill and upgrade from there if necessary. Frequently Asked Questions What are the best barbecue tools? Ask three chefs about their favorite barbecue tools, and you'll get three distinctly different answers. Bhatt and Gilbert find common ground in requiring tongs and a spatula. McDaniel also wants tongs but will forgo the spatula in favor of a meat fork and chef's knife. We tend to prefer the former combination. Gilbert also wants a basting brush or mop to apply mop sauces to his longer-cooking foods. How should you store barbecue tools? The opinions vary. McDaniel and Gilbert keep theirs in the kitchen while Bhatt stores his under the grill. In either case, ensuring that your tools are clean and dry before storing them and then again before cooking are keys to preventing the spread of food-borne illnesses. How do you clean barbecue tools? Some claim they like to build up a "seasoning" on their tools, which we do not recommend. Moreover, the tools reviewed here are all stainless steel and are not receptive to seasoning. Whatever builds up on stainless steel tools is not to be saved and savored.You'd take care of your grill by wiping it down and using a grill cleaner, and your tools require some maintainence, too. Across the board, our experts like to give tools a quick wash with gentle dish soap. The tools may need soaking to loosen some gunk and a gentle scrubbing to remove any last bits of residue. Many of the tools reviewed here are dishwasher-safe and may not require much effort to clean at all. Our Expertise Greg Baker is an award-winning chef, restaurateur, and food writer with decades of experience in the food industry. He has been grilling most of his life. In addition to writing over 30 articles on grilling and barbecuing, Greg has tested grills, wireless thermometers, cutting boards, wood-burning and gas pizza ovens, and more for Food & Wine. For this piece, he interviewed chefs Kenny Gilbert, Vishwesh Bhatt, and Rob McDaniel to find out what the pros look for when selecting sets of grill tools. Greg then used their insights and his own expertise to write this list. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit