Best barbecue tools and accessories
The sizzle, the smoky aromas and the unmistakeable taste of flame-kissed foods; few things scream summer like a great British garden barbecue. Beyond clear blue skies, and an excellent potato salad recipe, what more could a boss of the barbecue want besides first-rate tool sets and essential accessories - a protective glove, or a heavy duty chef's apron, perhaps?
Once you've chosen the barbecue itself - no mean feat with so many lovely charcoal, gas and briquette BBQs to choose from – thoughts inevitably turn to other useful bits like knives, skewers and basting brushes. In the right hands, even the humble wire brush becomes an unsung hero of good al fresco living. From an artisanal, heirloom-worthy collection, to an affordable five-piece set, there’s a perfect pick for everyone in our edit. Whether you're seeking a gift for the grill master in your life, or just wanting to upgrade your own outdoor cooking kit this summer, our list is bound to include something that suits.
Best barbecue tools and accessories
While best known for their cast iron casserole pots, Le Creuset also make a very handsome line of stainless steel utensils for use on a barbecue. We're especially fans of the burger press, engraved with Le Creuset branding around the top.
For something at the very top of the range, look to Abask and this outrageously luxurious Lorenzi Milano set. It's an heirloom in waiting. A meat thermometer, on the other hand, may not be the most glamorous thing in the world, but this sleek Meater Pro one is top of the range, ensuring that everything being served from the barbecue is cooked through to perfection.
If you’re looking for a handmade barbecue set that doubles as tabletop bling, Laguiole en Aubrac is another lovely option. This brand has been making intricate knives since 1829–and it shows. Expect artisan quality razor-sharp Sandvik steel and a soft-as-butter leather storage roll.
Open flames can make barbecuing risky business if you're not properly tooled up. While long enough utensils are one way to stay safe while sizzling, heavy duty gloves are another way of avoiding burns from the fire or hot splashes of oil.
A smart chef's apron does a similar job - protecting clothes from the oft-messy job of food prep, while simultaneously signalling exactly who is in charge of the barbecue. We love the bold red of Borough Kitchen's apron, while for seriously heavy duty barbecue work, a leather apron could be the way to go.
This barbecue set looks the part and is good value for money. With handy details like a double-bending turner for getting a firm handle on larger cuts of meat, the OXO Good Grips range is ergonomically optimised, making them incredibly practical bits of kit.
This set from Katto is made and finished by hand in the Sheffield, the UK home of steel. It’s exactly the kind of attention to detail you would expect from a brand that only creates what it knows will last a lifetime. Choose this trio for the slow living feel you only get when something is made with care by artisans.
A new collection this year from Jasper Morrison for Danish brand HAY, the Outdoor Market utensils and accessories celebrate a simple but stylish utilitarian aesthetic.
Garden Trading makes a nice looking barbecue set. Made from acacia wood and stainless steel, this is an elegant and durable choice for cooking up a stylish outdoor feast.
Weber is one of the best known names in barbecues, so it's no surprise that their range of cooking accessories is incredibly extensive and just as high quality as their gas, charcoal and electric barbecues.
BBQ Experts make stylish and hard-wearing grilling tools that will last for years. This heavy-duty carbon steel BBQ Grill Tool Set comes with a stylish leather case that makes taking your barbecuing adventures on the road easy.
Big Green Egg make brilliant kamado-style ceramic barbecues. This stainless steel barbecue set adds a welcome pop of deep green to your grilling set-up so you’re not limited to brown wooden handles.
An attractive design from Tramontina, this seven piece barbecue set has all the essentials you need to create your perfect grill-side display. With its Brazilian Muiracatiara wood chopping board and neat zipped-up case, it looks more high end than its price suggests.
The five tools that make up this great value Vonhaus set are the absolute essentials for cooking up a cracking barbecue. We like that a handy wire brush is included to make light work out of grill maintenance. This is a perfect gift for beginners at the start of their outdoor cookery journey.
How to choose the best barbecue set for you
When you want to purchase some new grilling tools, taking stock of your favourite al fresco recipes is a good place to start. Whether you're likely to smoke a whole chicken, lightly char peach slices to serve in a salad, or griddle an iceberg lettuce, make sure the set you purchase gives you the tools to match your outdoor cooking. The amount of people you're catering for is also a big factor - will you be slinging out endless burgers to the masses, or crafting a curated BBQ menu for two?
Barbecue knives and forks with wooden handles are an attractive choice, but bear in mind that you will need to step up the care to keep the handles in tip top shape. Be sure the tools are long enough to keep your fingers at a distance from the open flames; long-handled tongs with heat-resistant handles come in handy when you are flipping food.
