Summer means different things to different people. For some, it’s trips to the beach. Others can’t wait to get out in the garden. And for a select few, the onset of summer means only one thing: grilling.
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of standing in front of a blazing grill and serving up perfectly seared slabs of protein for friends and family. Throw in a few cold ones and a bowl of watermelon slices and you might catch a glimpse of heaven. But you can’t grill without the gear, so whether you’re dusting off your set up for a whole new season or starting out with a brand new hobby, this list of essentials has something for you.
Photo via Butcherbox
Butcherbox Meat Subscription
Every grill owner knows that consistency is key. Far too many would-be pitmasters get all geared up for a busy grilling season only to wind up reheating a few hot dogs on the holidays. One of the easiest ways to stay busy on your grill all season long is to stay stocked up on meat. Subscription delivery services like Butcherbox offer far greater quality and convenience than your local superstore. Prices range from $150-300 with around 75 options to pick from when building your custom box. Scheduling is flexible, too, so you can slow down if you’ve got too much or beef it up when it’s time to entertain. Flame on!
Photo via Traeger
Two Must-Have Grill Brushes
A sparkling clean grill is a thing of beauty. Whether you’re scouring and scrubbing the remnants of a backyard bbq or just tidying up a weeknight supper, you need a brush that can keep up. If you want a wire brush you can’t go wrong with GRILLART’s woven wire 3-in-1. Its braided bristle design reduces the risk of shedding dangerous wires into your food, and sturdy steel can handle the hottest surfaces.
If you prefer a non-wire option, Traeger’s nylon grill brush is built to last. That said, it will melt if you use it on a piping hot surface, so it’s better suited for the eat-then-clean crowd.
Photo via Napoleon
Napoleon Portable Grill
The biggest downside to a beautiful at-home grill set up is just that. It’s at home. Thankfully, Napoleon has you covered. The TravelQ Pro285X liquid propane grill gives you the power of a mid-summer cookout in the palm of your hand(s). Packaged with its own scissor cart that makes transport a breeze and doubles as a cooking stand, you’ll be able to grill anywhere you choose. It’s great for camping, beach trips, or any home or apartment with limited outdoor space. It might be the only grill you need.
Photo via Weber
Weber Gas Grill
There’s charcoal grillers and there’s gas grillers. No matter what side of the debate you’re on it’s hard to make an argument against the Spirit E-310 from Weber. Available in three- and four-burner models with either liquid propane or natural gas, Weber’s latest remains the gold standard. This is a no-frills grill. Known for durability, the snap-jet ignition system is fast and easy to use. Weber’s been making grills for almost 75 years, and the engineering experience shows. The Spirit E-310 is one of the most even cooking and heat efficient grills available, handling everything from delicate fish and fresh veggies to the mighty T-bone. For those wanting more bells and whistles, don’t fret. Weber sells a wide range of accessories that make for great additions to any future birthday or holiday wishlists.
Photo via Weber
Classic Weber Charcoal Grill
Odds are if you’re picturing a charcoal grill in your head, you’re picturing the classic Weber kettle. This 22-inch charcoal grill is an absolute workhorse that can last you years or even decades. Big enough to handle family-size portions of burgers, whole chickens, or slabs of ribs, it fits your needs for every occasion. There’s little question this is a top-tier charcoal grill for anyone in the market. The real question for charcoal grillers is lump or briquette (don’t worry, the Weber handles both).
Photo via OXO
OXO Tongs and Turner Set
The beauty of BBQ is its simplicity. You don’t need a lot of fancy gadgets or culinary training to serve up serious flavor. But you do need the basics. OXO’s tongs and turner set are truly all you need to handle (literally) anything on the grill. Stainless steel tongs with a scalloped edge make it easy to cook steaks, chops, and chicken. The 16-inch turner gives you plenty of reach even on the largest cook surfaces, and a double-bend design provides extra leverage for added lift. Bonus: the tongs have a built-in bottle opener so you can always keep a cold one within reach, too.
Photo via Grill Armor
Grill Armor Gloves
A good grill master has ambition. Sometimes you need to cook things on the grill that don’t fit the conventional utensils. Grill Armor Oven Gloves have you covered. Whether you’re working with cast iron pans, rotisserie set ups, or simply breaking down a piping hot grill for easy cleaning, these versatile gloves protect you up to 932°F. Tougher than leather, you can wear them for cut protection during prep, too.
Photo via Weber
Weber Charcoal Chimney Starter
Few things in life are better than a go-to gadget. And for charcoal grillers, there’s nothing you’ll use more than a sturdy charcoal chimney. It drastically reduces the time it takes to get the coals hot enough for cooking, so much so you’ll never go back to grilling without one. Weber’s Rapidfire Chimney Starter is as good as it gets. The durable steel construction keeps the coals hot, while the ergonomic handle stays cool enough to handle. The best part? You can finally ditch the lighter fluid for a cleaner, tastier charcoal flavor.
