9 Grilling Tools My Dad Swears By

It’s finally grilling season, and my dad has wasted no time at all firing up his grill. My parents live in a seaside town outside Boston, where weekends are filled with barbecues and cedar-plank salmon dinners, which is a stark contrast to my life in New York City. That’s why I love hopping on the train on a Friday for a quick trip to catch whatever grilling masterpiece my dad has planned for that weekend. 

Despite my minimal grill knowledge, I’m nothing if not inquisitive, so I tapped my dad to find out which grilling essentials he always has on hand during the summer. He shared with me the grill mats he has dubbed “a game-changer” and the bristle-free grill brush he swears by for sparkling clean grates. Here are some more of his favorite grilling tools, all of which can be found at Amazon, starting at just $6.

Best Dad-Approved Grilling Tools at Amazon

• Blazin' Grill Prep and Serve Trays, $36
• Meater Plus: Smart Bluetooth Wireless Meat Thermometer, $69, originally $100
• Wuweot Grill Basket, $22
• UBeesize Copper Grill Mats, $10, originally $13
• Jomverl Flat Metal Kabob Skewers, $6, originally $13
• Kitchen Mama Stainless Steel Meat Claws, $30, originally $32
• Wildwood Grilling 12-Pack Cedar Planks, $18, originally $18 
• OXO Good Grips Basting Brush, $15
• Grillart Wire & Helix Grill Brush, $17

Blazin' Grill Prep and Serve Trays

My dad says these handy grilling trays are “the perfect accessory” for an organized and streamlined grill space. The red tray is labeled “prep,” reserved for transporting raw fish, meat, or veggies from the kitchen, while the black tray is labeled “serve” for, yes, you guessed it, serving the food. Made with food-safe material that’s dishwasher safe, the trays are incredibly durable and can withstand high heat. Plus, the lightweight, stackable design makes them easy to store.  

Meater Plus Smart Bluetooth Wireless Meat Thermometer

The only way to truly ensure your meat is cooked to the correct temperature is with a reliable meat thermometer — or at least, that’s what my dad tells me. While any standard meat thermometer will suffice, he swears by this high-tech option that sends the meat temperature directly to his phone. He says his favorite feature is getting alert notifications, so he doesn’t have to stand over the grill the whole time while hosting. Right now, you can snag the Meater for 31% off, bringing the price down to $69.

Wuweot Grill Basket

While I’m not the biggest fan of meat, I love veggies straight from the grill. When my dad isn’t cooking them on a kabob skewer, he uses a grill basket for vegetables that keeps them secure. It’s particularly convenient for more delicate foods, such as asparagus, cherry tomatoes, or even some fish and meat, to avoid them slipping through the cracks.

Ubeesize Copper Grill Mats

These copper grill mats are a “game-changer,” according to my dad. Not only do they keep the food from sticking to the grill, but they also help distribute heat evenly and prevent potentially hazardous grill flare-ups. The grill mats are reusable, easy to clean, and dishwasher safe. Although this pack comes with six, my dad says he gets plenty of use out of just one mat, so you won’t have to repurchase them constantly. 

Jomverl Flat Metal Kabob Skewers

In keeping with the theme of reusing, my dad also loves these metal skewers for kabobs. Made from stainless steel, these long-lasting skewers are resistant to corrosion and heat. This set comes with 12 skewers featuring extra-long handles that stay clear of the heat source, ensuring you won’t get burned. 

Kitchen Mama Stainless Steel Meat Claws

These multipurpose meat claws are among the most versatile of my dad's grilling tools. He says they are great for lifting heavier meat off the grill and provide a steady handle for carving, which helps to prevent injury. The clever claw design can also be used to shred chicken or pulled pork, and it comes with a safe pouch for storing.

Wildwood Grilling 12-Pack Cedar Planks

Another one of my dad's favorite foods to grill is salmon. He relies on these best-selling cedar planks, which add a subtle smoky flavor for restaurant-quality results. To use, just place the cedar plank directly on top of the grill grates and then cook the salmon on top of the planks.

OXO Good Grips Basting Brush

My dad uses this OXO basting brush to coat the exterior of anything he's cooking evenly. The silicone bristles are heat-resistant and easy to clean, while the long handle keeps hands away from the hot grilling surface.

Grillart Wire & Helix Grill Brush

When it comes to cleaning his grill, my dad opts for this efficient wire and helix grill brush from Grillart. He says bristle grill brushes can leave stray bristles that can fall through the grill surface, but this two-in-one option is a safer alternative. Additionally, the compact brush's sides can clean hard-to-reach areas.