Nothing beats a delicious barbecue, a cold beverage, and great weather. And grilling is excellent all the time, so if you’re doing it alone or in good company it’s still relaxing. But as enjoyable as it is, it’s still easy to overcook your meat or vegetables — especially when someone is stealing your focus. If you take your eyes off the food for a few minutes to tend to children or your family, or to answer some questions, just about anything can happen. When armed with one of the best grilling gadgets, however, all of that can change. Some measure the cooking temperatures of your meat, others, help you light the grill faster, and yet there are even some that will help clean the grates when you’re all done.
Because there are so many to choose from, and they all have different purposes, we put together an easy-to-follow guide on some of the best grilling gadgets and BBQ devices. You can check them out, and read all about them, below!
What are grilling gadgets?
The best grilling gadgets come from a bevy of device and tool categories, so no definition covers everything. That said, grilling gadgets are either helpful tools, utensils, or various devices that make the act of grilling food much easier. They can be electronic, or manually driven, it doesn’t matter. What matters more is how useful they are, and how much convenience they provide.
A Looftlighter, to provide a great example, is a portable and handheld wand that helps you light your grill — it works amazingly well for charcoal, wood, and briquette-type grills. Lighting a grill with matches can be tough and dangerous at times, and the Looftlighter eliminates a lot of those concerns. It’s all-electric, easy to use, and because it’s an elongated wand you’re not shoving your hand — or skin — right up against the burner to ignite the grill.
Of course, the Looftlighter is just one grilling gadget of many on the market.
Why would I need one of the best grilling gadgets?
Honestly, you don’t need them, per se. It’s more about convenience and usability. If one of the best grilling gadgets on our list can make your life easier, and make your grill-outs more pleasant, why not give them a try?
The Best Grilling Gadgets for Barbecue Lovers 2023
1. Best Grill Kit with Gadgets – Cuisinart Deluxe 20-Piece Grill Set with Aluminum Carrying Case
Get It Now
The Cuisinart CGS-5020 BBQ Tool Aluminum Carrying Case, Deluxe Grill Set is a 20-piece set of grilling tools that includes a chef’s spatula, grill tongs, digital temperature fork, silicone basting brush, four pairs of corn holders, five skewers, a cleaning brush with extra brush head and a durable aluminum carrying case. It is made of stainless steel and silicone and is dishwasher safe. It has a 4.7 out of 5 stars rating on Amazon.com based on 5,548 reviews (as of 5/31/2023).
Why You Might Want to Buy It
One of the best reasons to buy the Cuisinart CGS-5020 BBQ Tool Aluminum Carrying Case over other sets is that it has a high rating from customers and experts. According to Food & Wine, this set is the best overall BBQ tool set of 2023. It has also received 4.7 out of 5 stars from over 5,548 ratings on Amazon1.
Another reason to buy this set is that it has a digital temperature fork that is very useful for grilling meat. This fork displays the actual and desired temperatures of your food, alerts you when your food is done, and has an integrated LED light for night grilling. This feature can help you avoid overcooking or undercooking your meat, and ensure food safety.
A third reason to buy this set is that it comes with a stylish and durable aluminum carrying case that makes it easy to store and transport your tools. The case has velcro straps to secure the tools in place, and a handle for convenience. The case also protects your tools from dust, moisture, and damage.
Pros:
- Spatula: Perforated design, serrated edge for cutting, built-in bottle opener.
- Tongs: Designed to easily grab, flip and serve foods.
- Digital temperature fork: Built-in alarm, backlight display, timer function, integrated LED light.
- Silicone basting brush: Designed to lather meat in thick and even coats of marinade.
- Corn holders and skewers: Made of stainless steel, easy-grip handles.
- Cleaning brush: Stainless steel bristles, extra brush head for easy replacement.
- Aluminum carrying case: Stylish and durable, handle, latch for easy transport and storage.
Cons:
- The grill brush is a bit clumsy and may not clean the grill effectively.
- Dull skewers may require more force to pierce through meat or vegetables.
- The handles of the tools are not slip-resistant and may get hot if left on the grill .
2. Best Lighter Gadget – Looftlighter
Get It Now
While it’s not as important with gas grills, charcoal, wood, and manual grill types require you to ignite the flame. It can be a real pain when you have small matches, and might even cause you to singe the hair on your arms or your skin. Looftlighter makes the entire process easier, as it’s an extended wand that ignites well, pretty much whatever you need to light, via super-heated air.
It’s electric and requires a nearby outlet, but the nine-foot cord stretches far enough that you can reach your grill. Just inch it close to the source, press the switch, and watch it all go up in flames! It also includes a built-in bottle opener as a huge bonus!
Why You Might Want to Buy It
Hands down, one of the best grilling gadgets to keep your arm hair intact, the Looftlighter makes it easier to light most conventional fuel-based grills, using wood, briquettes, charcoal, and more.
Pros
- Light any fuel with ease
- Reaches up to 1,200-degrees Fahrenheit in 60-seconds
- Long 9.8-foot power cord
- Built-in bottle opener
Cons
- Must be plugged-in
3. Best Thermostat Gadget – Meater+
Get It Now
Aptly named Meater, this wireless thermometer tells you the temperature of your meat while it’s cooking, all via the Meater app on your phone. You can see all kinds of information, and configure a variety of alerts, like for remaining cook times, temperature limits, and more. If you have the optional Meater Link, You can even sync it with other devices via WiFi, like Alexa, which, in turn, allows you to issue voice commands. Out of the box, it offers up to 165-feet of wireless coverage via Bluetooth, so if you don’t want any of the accessories you’ll be just fine.
It’s not just for outdoor cooking or grilling, either. You can use it indoors to check the temperature of your roasts or bakes, so it’s extra useful in the kitchen. If you want some support, you can tap into a guided cooking system that will walk you through “every step of the cooking process.”
Why You Might Want to Buy It
This wireless thermometer will tell you the current cooking temperatures of your meats, and reports all the information to your phone, via Bluetooth.
Pros
- Smart and wireless food-grade thermometer
- Bluetooth connectivity with wireless coverage up to 165-feet
- Mobile app with guided cooking support
- Works with iOS and Android
Cons
- Not water-resistant (don’t submerge)
4. Best for Camping Gadget – BioLite FirePit+
Buy It Now
If you’re on the road, camping, or just find yourself somewhere remote, the BioLite FirePit+ will be invaluable. It’s an ultra-compact fire pit that runs on either charcoal or wood. It comes with a grill grate, that you can set on top, to cook meats, vegetables, and other food items. It runs, and sustains the fire, thanks to 50 electric-based air jets which provide oxygen to the flames. The built-in 12,800mAh rechargeable battery powers the fans, and can be run for up to 30 hours on a single charge.
Even better, you can sync to the device via Bluetooth with your phone to control the heat and flame intensity, adjust fan speeds, and more. There are many optional accessories for the unit too, such as a cast iron griddle.
Why You Might Want to Buy It
If you want one of the absolute best grilling gadgets for cooking on the road, while camping, or out in the wilderness, this is it!
Pros
- Small, ultra-efficient fire pit for travel and camping
- Runs on wood or charcoal
- 12,800mAh rechargeable battery powers the fans
- Includes grill grate for cooking
Cons
- You do need to charge the battery
5. Best for Cleaning Gadget – Grillbot
Get It Now
Even if you do a thorough clean of your grill after every cook, it never gets easier, and it’s never fun. But what if we told you that there’s a robot that will do it all for you? Yes, a robot, called Grillbot. It’s like a smart robotic vacuum, only for your grill. Inside are three electric motors that allow it to move around your grill, all the while wire brushes scrub the grates clean. You don’t have to control it or watch it, just sit it on your grill, and the automated system handles the movement, speed, and scrubbing.
While it cleans, you can tend to your guests, or spend time with your family. A rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery keeps it powered up, while the LCD and timer keep track of cleaning times for you. It also comes with a carrying case, so you can stow the little bot inside when you’re not using it.
Why You Might Want to Buy It
One of the best grilling gadgets to save you time, and frustration, this little Grillbot will automatically scrub and clean your grill, so you can go do your thing.
Pros
- Compact, lightweight, and automated
- Easy to use
- LCD and timer keep track of cleaning times
- Includes a carrying case
Cons
- Compatible only with grills that have lids
6. Best Tool – Flame King Smart Wireless Propane Tank Scale
Get It Now
If you’re using a gas grill, one of the most frustrating problems you can run into when you’re ready to cook, is an empty tank. The Flame King Smart Wireless Propane Tank Scale tells you exactly how much propane you have available in the tank. The scale is powered by two AA batteries, which last for up to three months.
The tank sits atop a digital scale, which feeds the information to your mobile device via Bluetooth. You can also wirelessly track propane levels to keep an eye on gas levels while you cook.
Why You Might Want to Buy It
This easy-to-install, digital tank scale will tell you how much propane you have left for cooking! No more guessing!
Pros
- Easy to install
- Tells you exactly how much propane is available
- Syncs with your phone via Bluetooth
- Bottom-mounted scale
Cons
- Not meant to be stored outside for long periods
~Conculsion~
With these grilling gadgets, you can be sure that your next barbecue will be a success. Whether you’re looking for a way to cook your food more evenly, keep track of the temperature, or make cleanup a breeze, there’s a gadget out there for you. So fire up the grill and get cooking!
— Best Grilling Gadgets Buyers Guide & FAQ —
What to Look for When Buying Grilling Gadgets for Your Next Big Barbecue?
Because there are so many types of grilling gadgets, it can be difficult to pin down specific features to watch out for when choosing a device(s). Here are some of the most important considerations:
Price – How expensive is the item you’re looking at, and how much time will it save you? If the item is pricey, but it’s going to save you a lot of time, that’s still worth it in a lot of cases.
Temperature Resistance – Not all grilling gadgets will be coming into contact with the hot grill. For example, a cleaning bot will be used after the grill has cooled down. For everything else, you’ll want to consider the heat resistance and whether or not it can withstand being around the extremely high operating temperatures of a grill.
Usage – Are you using the items on a standard grill that’s positioned on your patio or in your backyard? Or, are you using the item out in the wilderness while you’re camping?
Add-ons – Lighters need fuel. Grills need charcoal or propane. Digital devices need electricity. Consider what’s necessary to run the grilling gadgets, and make sure you have some handy, or that you have easy access to resupply.
Grilling Gadgets FAQ
Q. Are all grilling gadgets smart?
A. Depending on the gadget, yes, many grilling gadgets are often considered “smart” or smart home products. If they connect or sync to a smartphone, leverage an active internet connection, or have advanced digital features, they’re probably considered “smart” or similar. But not all grilling gadgets are smart, and that’s important to point out.
Q. Do I need any of these gadgets to grill out?
A. As stated above, no, you don’t need any of these gadgets to grill food, or even to produce delicious and well-cooked meals. They sure make the process a whole lot easier though.
Q. What’s the difference between a manual food thermostat and a “smart” one like Meater+?
Both types of thermostats complete the same function(s) telling you what the current temperature of your food or meat is. That allows you to determine how well-cooked an item of food is, and whether you need to leave it on the grill longer or not.
A “smart” thermostat usually syncs with your phone, allowing you to check temperatures remotely. That might not seem like much, but it’s super convenient when you’re having a get-together and you’re constantly being pulled away from the grill. Even if you’re in another area of your yard, or somewhere nearby in the neighborhood, you can still check the temperature of your food, from your phone, as long as there’s a signal available. It’s one of those things that seems superfluous until you get the chance to use it.
Why should you trust Ideaing?
Since 2013, the members of the Ideaing team have had extensive experience in many technology-related fields, from electrical engineering to working as product managers at Fortune 500 companies. We pride ourselves on providing truly objective insight into our reviews and recommendations. We want to provide you with information on some of the best options on the market today and let you make your own educated decision. After many hours of research, these are, what we believe to be, the best grilling gadgets. Each device on the list will make your cooking and barbecue endeavors a whole lot easier.
Other “Best Of” articles you might like:
{{ commentsCountView }}
Drop a Comment