The Ultimate Must-Have BBQ Accessories
A great barbecue grill is the heart of your outdoor kitchen, but the accessories are what bring the magic to life. The right gear can elevate your cooking from a simple cookout to a true pitmaster performance. It’s what separates the amateurs from the pros, making the entire process easier, safer, and infinitely more delicious.
We’ve scoured Amazon to find the absolute must-have BBQ accessories that every griller needs, from essential safety gear to high-tech gadgets that guarantee perfect results. Whether you’re looking for BBQ gifts for dad or upgrading your own arsenal, this is the definitive list. These are the best barbecue tools to transform your grilling experience.
Our Top 3 Must-Have Accessories
Instant-Read Thermometer
Stop guessing. An instant-read thermometer is the key to perfectly cooked, safe meat.
Check PriceBristle-Free Grill Brush
The safest and most effective way to clean your grill without risking dangerous wire bristles.
Check PriceHeat-Resistant Gloves
Handle hot grates, chimney starters, and large cuts of meat with confidence.
Check PriceCategory 1: Precision & Tech (No More Guesswork)
If you’re still “cutting and peeking” to check if your chicken is done, this section is for you. These gadgets are the single biggest upgrade you can make to your grilling, ensuring perfect, repeatable results every single time.
1. MEATER Plus 165ft Long-Range Smart Wireless Meat Thermometer
This is the accessory that gets all the hype, and it’s worth every penny. The MEATER Plus is a 100% wire-free probe you insert into your meat. It connects to your phone via Bluetooth and monitors both the internal meat temperature and the ambient temperature of your grill.
The app is brilliant: it guides you through the cook, estimates remaining cook time, and alerts you when it’s time to pull the meat for resting. This is a game-changer for long smokes on the best barbecue smoker, and it’s one of the all-time best BBQ gifts for Father’s Day. It completely eliminates guesswork.
Pros
- Completely wireless design
- Dual sensors for internal and ambient temps
- Smart app with guided cooks and time estimates
- Essential for smoking and thick cuts
Cons
- Premium price point
- Probe can be too thick for very thin items
2. ThermoPro TP19 Waterproof Digital Meat Thermometer
If the MEATER is a “set it and forget it” tool, this is your “quick check” essential. Every single griller needs an instant-read thermometer. This ThermoPro model is a top-seller on Amazon for its speed, accuracy, and price. In 2-3 seconds, it gives you a precise temperature reading.
Is that chicken breast done? Are those burgers medium or well-done? This tool tells you instantly. It’s waterproof for easy cleaning, has a bright backlight, and a magnetic back so you can stick it right on your grill’s hopper or side table. This is non-negotiable for food safety and quality.
Pros
- Ultra-fast (2-3 second) readings
- Waterproof and easy to clean
- Backlit display and magnetic backing
- Excellent value for the price
Cons
- Not for leaving in the meat during cooking
Category 2: Essential Safety & Cleaning
A great barbecue experience is a safe one. These accessories protect you from the heat and your food from dangerous contaminants. Proper maintenance is key to a long-lasting grill, and that starts with the right tools.
3. GRILLART Bristle-Free Grill Brush and Scraper
If you own a wire-bristle brush, please throw it away. Those wire bristles can break off, stick to your grill grates, and end up in your food, causing severe medical emergencies. This GRILLART brush is the solution. It’s the best barbecue grill cleaner because it’s 100% bristle-free, using a triple-helix coil design to scrape off gunk without any risk.
It’s safe for all grate types (porcelain, cast iron, stainless) and is built to last. This is one of the most important key maintenance requirements for barbecues, and this tool lets you do it safely. It’s a non-negotiable accessory.
Pros
- 100% bristle-free for total food safety
- Heavy-duty build quality
- Safe for all grate types
- Wide scraper for tough, caked-on spots
Cons
- May require more pressure than a wire brush
4. RAPICCA 932°F Heat-Resistant BBQ Gloves
Stop trying to move a hot grill grate with a flimsy pair of tongs. A good pair of heat-resistant gloves gives you control and one of the best safety features to look for in a barbecue. These RAPICCA gloves are famous for their neoprene coating, which makes them heat-resistant, fire-resistant, and *waterproof*.
This means you can easily handle a 15-pound brisket, grab a hot cast-iron pan, or even adjust logs in a fire pit. The waterproof coating makes them easy to clean, and the long cuffs protect your forearms. They give you a level of confidence and control that tongs just can’t match.
Pros
- Extremely high heat resistance (932°F)
- Waterproof neoprene is easy to clean
- Long cuffs protect forearms
- Excellent grip for handling large meats
Cons
- Can feel bulky for delicate tasks
- One-size-fits-most may be large for some
Category 3: Specialty Tools & Flavor Enhancers
Once you have the basics, these tools unlock new possibilities. They help you grill delicate foods without losing them to the fire and add that authentic smoke flavor to any grill.
5. Set of 3 Heavy Duty Grill Baskets
Ever watched in horror as your perfectly seasoned asparagus spears or shrimp fall through the grates? A grill basket is the simple, brilliant solution. This set gives you three different styles: a large basket for stir-fry, a perforated pan for delicate fish, and a basket for veggies.
They’re made of stainless steel, so they’re durable and dishwasher-safe. You get all the smoky flavor of the grill without any of the loss. This is a must-have for anyone who likes to grill more than just big slabs of meat.
Check Price on Amazon
6. Smoker Box for Gas Grill
Do you love your gas grill’s convenience but miss that deep, smoky flavor? A smoker box is the answer. This simple steel box turns any gas grill into a part-time smoker. You just fill it with your favorite wood chips (like hickory, apple, or mesquite), place it on your grill grates, and as it heats up, it will smolder and release flavorful smoke.
It’s the perfect, inexpensive accessory to add incredible flavor to your chicken, fish, and pork. It’s a great entry point if you’re curious about smoking but not ready to buy a dedicated electric barbecue smoker.
Check Price on Amazon
7. The Flavor Arsenal: Craft Rubs & Sauces
An accessory doesn’t have to be permanent. A collection of high-quality rubs and sauces is one of the most-used items in any pitmaster’s toolkit. Instead of the generic grocery store stuff, Amazon has an incredible selection of craft brands.
We recommend building a “flavor kit”:
- A great all-purpose barbecue rub (like Meat Church ‘Holy Cow’ for beef or ‘Holy Gospel’ for all-purpose).
- A classic sweet barbecue sauce (like a Kansas City style).
- Something different (like a tangy Carolina vinegar sauce or an Alabama white sauce).
Final Thoughts: Gear Up for Better BBQ
You don’t need every accessory on this list, but starting with the “essentials” — a good thermometer, safe cleaning brush, and heat-resistant gloves — will fundamentally change your grilling experience. They’ll make your cooks safer, more precise, and far more enjoyable.
For more tips, reviews, and grilling techniques, be sure to explore the rest of our content right here at BBQGrillAndSmoker.com.