23 Cool Tools to Make Grilling a Cinch

There's nothing more delicious than food cooked on the grill, so when barbecue season hits, you want to be ready. But the details matter. While you need to start with great food and the right grill, the accessories can take the taste to the next level, or at least make the process of cooking it more fun, safe, or innovative. (Hadn't thought about grilling quesadillas? Think again.)

Here are 23 of the best grilling gadgets that not only make cooking easier, but also delicious. From an oyster pan to a meatball basket, we’ve got the accessories that will take you to Top Chef status in no time. 

To buy: $30; target.com

Grilling 101 requires that you flip your food at some point during the process to make sure it's cooked thoroughly. But it can be tricky to turn over odd-sized items like kebobs or slippery veggies, and it can also lead to scorched fingers. With these gloves you can skip the tongs and just use your hands to flip or remove your food from the grill without the risk of burning your fingers. Like to grill in the cold weather? These will also keep your fingers toasty on frosty nights.

To buy: $50; crateandbarrel.com

Also known as a salt plate, these blocks can be used to chill or grill, and they impart a subtle flavor to all kinds of food. The block comes with a porcelain holder to make it easier to transport food, and that helps extend the life of the salt block (which eventually dissolves over time.) Great for cooking and presenting foods like seafood, veggies and more, this block can be used to cook directly on the grill to sear scallops, shrimp and more.

To buy: $15; worldmarket.com

When it's time to cook a whole bird, you'll need this ceramic chicken roaster. With the high-heat conduction of cast iron (but not its heavy weight), you can fill this roaster with beer, water, or the marinade of your choice. You then place the whole chicken on top and grill it. As it cooks, the liquid will steam into the bird leaving you with a finger-licking good meal.

To buy: $8; amazon.com

These skewers are a game changer. They hold double the amount of food as traditional wooden skewers, and are flexible enough to curl up into a bowl or bag of marinade. From there they can move seamlessly onto your grill, where they can fit in tight spaces and turned over with ease. Genius!

To buy: $40; surlatable.com

Pizza on the grill? Yes please. With a cast iron pizza stone you’ll get a super crispy crust. Just add the summer’s bounty of tomatoes and basil and you’ll be making the freshest pie in town.

To buy: $100; amazon.com

Grilling moves into the future with this Bluetooth-enabled thermometer that alerts your phone when your meat is cooked to your desired temperature. Compatible with both iOS and Android devices, this thermometer can track more than one temperature at once with its four-probe capability.

To buy: $40; surlatable.com

Recreate the amazing flavor of New Orleans in your own backyard by indulging in chargrilled oysters. This nifty pan has 12-oyster–shaped depressions that make it simple to turn your favorite aphrodisiac into a delicious summertime treat.

To buy: $14; amazon.com

For perfect pulled pork, use these claws to take your meat off the grill and shred it to the right consistency. If you're not grilling, you can also use the claws as a handy salad-tossing tool. And if black is too run-of-the-mill, they come in pink, red, and gray.

To buy: $50; target.com

Sun going down? No problem. Whether you're in your backyard or camping out under the stars, you can keep an eye on your food with this flexible, portable LED light that clips onto your grill.

To buy: $19; amazon.com

If you haven’t tried grilled corn you’re missing out. With this basket you can cook the ears evenly and without them rolling around. Once they’re finished, just give them a slather of butter, a squirt of lime, and some salt, and you have your new favorite summertime snack.

To buy: $11; target.com

Now you might not need this basket, but why not give your cheese- and veggie-stuffed quesadillas that smoky flavor you can only get from the grill? Try it with our sweet potato and spinach quesadilla recipe for a satisfying and healthy dinner.

To buy: $80; ahalife.com

Keep the party going at all hours and in all weather with a grill set that has a built-in waterproof LED light in each tool. The tools stay neatly organized and contained in a clever apron, which uses magnets to keep the utensils from sliding around while you’re manning the barbecue.

To buy: $20; bedbathandbeyond.com

Nothing tastes better than grilled veggies, but who hasn't had thin or slippery foods fall down in between  the grates? Get your grill game under control by using this wok basket to keep everything together. Did we mention it's non-stick, so cleanup is a breeze?

To buy: $29; amazon.com

Support your football team and protect your grill with a cover that features your favorite NFL team. By keeping the grill covered, you protect against rust and grime as well as runoff that can ruin your patio. Not a Packers fan? No problem, there are other team options available.

To buy: $20; homedepot.com

Up your marinating game by using this stainless steel syringe to inject fluid into your meat before grilling. The multi-hole needle tip allows you to more evenly disperse the flavor enhancer in your chicken, beef, or pork. You can use traditional marinades or experiment with what you have on hand like wine, beer, or salad dressing--it all works to keep meat juicy and tender.

To buy: $17; amazon.com

Serve up restaurant-quality burgers with this press, which makes sure your patties are the perfect size. If you’re having a meatless Monday, it can still come in handy. The press can be used directly on the grill to roast veggies. It's a no-brainer to add this multi-purpose grill tool to your cooking arsenal.

To buy: $11; homedepot.com

Fish is super-healthy fare, but unfortunately, cooking it on the grill can result in a sticky, caked-on mess. And although it cooks quickly, the result can be uneven if you're not careful. With this basket you can simply place your seasoned fish in the non-stick container, place on the grill, and flip to get even cooking. You'll have a healthy meal in minutes.

To buy: $100; amazon.com

Everyone loves grilled food, but no one is crazy about the cleanup. No need to worry about grill cleaning with this automatic gadget. Just hit the button for a 10, 20, or 30 minute cleaning cycle (once the grill has cooled down a bit) and you’ll be left with a cooking surface ready for your next barbecue.

To buy: $14; amazon.com

Give your dishes a smoky flavor using this cast-iron box. Place your wood chips (hickory, applewood, or whatever you prefer) inside, and use it while you grill. The wood chips will smolder, but not burn, giving your eats that super smoky flavor. The box works with charcoal, gas, and even electric grills, giving a deep, rich flavor in minutes instead of the typical hours.

To buy: $20; surlatable.com

Roasted garlic can add a big dose of flavor with minimal calories. With this cast-iron product you can roast a whole head of garlic while you cook dinner, then use the cloves throughout the week to add flavor to hummus roasted, veggies, and more.

To buy: $20; amazon.com

Guess what? Mama’s meatball recipe can also be made on the grill. This basket has 12 meatball-shaped depressions, which makes it a super simple way to make your family favorite. Cleanup will be easy since the tool also has a non-stick coating.

To buy: $60; amazon.com

Take the guesswork out of cooking your steaks. This thermometer flashes green for medium rare, yellow for medium, and red for medium, so there's no chance of under- or over-cooking your meat. The thermometer will also let you know when the meat has fully rested. When the flashing light stops, it’s suppertime!

To buy: $20; amazon.com

Cedar planks add a hint of smokiness and flavor to food, especially fish, and are easy to use. Just soak the planks in water for 3-4 hours then place the food on the wood over indirect heat until done. These planks are for single use only so you'll use a new one each time you grill, but at less than $2 a plank, it's a relatively inexpensive way to get a world-class flavor.