BBQ Accessories Buying Guide | How to Buy Grilling Accessories
What are Barbecue Accessories?
Even the best Grill Masters are nothing without the right tools to get the job done. That’s why you should invest in a variety of useful accessories. Multi-use tools like spatulas and barbecue thermometers are necessary for daily cooking. Attachments like rotisseries and smoker boxes greatly expand cooking versatility. There are also many other tools that will make up your toolbox of well-rounded grilling gear. Let’s take a closer look at these accessories.
Barbecue Accessories by Grill Type
If you’re just starting out, you’ll want to begin with the essentials. Barbecue tool kits keep the fundamentals organized and in reach including spatulas, tongs, barbecue forks, grill brushes, and other useful tools, depending on the set. Other than that, the most useful grilling tools include a barbecue thermometer, which should be a part of every cookout. There are many other great accessories that each serve specific functions based on the grill you’ll be cooking on.
Gas Grill Accessories
- Rotisseries let you roast large cuts of meat.
- Infrared burners provide extra high heat.
- Get extra functionality with smoker boxes, pizza stones, and charcoal trays.
There will always be great accessories available to help you get the most out of your gas grill. Rotisseries steadily spin food, so it bastes in its own juices for incredibly tender results. Smoker boxes let you use your gas grill as a smoker—fill it with wood chips or juices for incredible tastes and flavor profiles! Want homemade pizza for dinner? With a pizza stone on the grill, you’ll never make your pies any other way. And for those who love a good steak, an infrared burner will reach searing hot temperatures in no time.
Charcoal Grill Accessories
- Charcoal chimneys and electric starters make lighting coal easy.
- Ash tools help you safely and reliably keep the fire hot.
- Ash vacuums make cleaning your grill’s interior a breeze.
Most charcoal accessories manipulate the fuel. Charcoal chimneys and electric charcoal starters are the quickest and easiest ways to light charcoal and once the coals are lit and glowing, the occasional stir will keep that fire burning steady. Ash tools help you safely and easily work those burning coals during and after the cook, and speaking of cleanup, an ash vacuum makes short work of cleaning the inside of your grill.
Pellet Grill Accessories
- Hardwood pellets are a food-safe, chemical-free fuel.
- Probe thermometers help you keep an eye on your temps.
- Different brands offer specific accessories to expand the functionality of your grill.
Pellet grills run on hardwood pellets as their fuel, which are made of compressed hardwood sawdust without binding agents for maximum food safety. This is the most important accessory for your grill. The next thing you’ll need is a set of probe thermometers to keep watch over your food’s temperature as it cooks. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth thermometers will upgrade your experience from standard probes so you can monitor your temps from anywhere in your house. Some grills come complete with their own smartphone app for easy monitoring. Different brands carry their own specific accessories to work with their grills, like covers, clip-on shelves, and storage racks.
Kamado Grill Accessories
- Heat deflectors offer low-and-slow cooking.
- Extended cooking racks give you more grilling area.
- Split-tier racks let you cook with high and low heat simultaneously.
Kamados are amazing machines on their own, but cooking on one with just a single grill rack barely touches what these smokers can do. The best experience here is with the accessories. Invest in the ecosystem, and you’ll find that you can tackle nearly any cooking style under the sun. A good heat deflector for example lets you enjoy low-and-slow cooking, which is made even better with the kamado’s thick and insulative walls. Expand your kamado with a variety of grill grates. With split racks, not only do you get the best of both worlds with high heat and low heat at the same time, but as your food cooks, all those delicious drippings fall onto the rack below, basting your other foods in their smoky juices. For more cooking space, an extended cooking rack can give you room to cook for the whole family.
BBQ Smoker Accessories
- Injectors and spices give you the foundation for flavor.
- Drip pans, basting brushes, and spray bottles can help prevent food from drying out.
- Barbecue thermometers watch your temperature zones for you.
Barbecue smoking is an art practiced by grillers of all skill levels. While this cooking relies heavily on the smoker itself, some accessories make the process easier, and others are absolutely necessary. For instance, injectors and spices lay the groundwork for your culinary artistry. Drip pans, basting brushes, and spray bottles keep your meat moist and juicy while it cooks. Wood chips and chunks, meanwhile, impart flavor into the overall taste of your creation. Most essential of all is a good wireless barbecue thermometer. They immediately notify you if your smoker strays from the appropriate temperature range, which can make all the difference in the world to a sunrise-to-sundown smoking session.
Pizza Oven Accessories
- Pizza peels give you a place to build amazing pies and slide them onto your grill or pizza oven.
- Pizza stones toast the crusts and let you bake on your grill.
- Some brands offer accessory bundles with just the essentials.
Every great pizza is made by its toppings. If you want to start slinging pies in your backyard, you may find you want the supreme experience; that comes with a handful of key pizza accessories you won’t be able to live without. First up? The pizza peel. These provide the sturdy foundation for building those crispy creations that can be easily maneuvered into and out of your grill or pizza oven. Possibly just as important is the pizza stone, which provides excellent bottom crusts while opening up the possibility of baking on your grill. Most brands supply accessory bundles packed with all the essentials to help you start slinging restaurant-quality pies.
BBQ Accessories by Category
BBQ Cleaning & Maintenance Accessories
There are some other accessories that you’ll want on hand to keep your grill good as new. After all, a good grill can last a lifetime with some thoughtfulness and a little TLC. That’s why you should properly clean your grill at regular intervals and cleaning tools do just that. Also, it’s important to invest in a grill cover to prevent weathering and discoloration. Covers are specific to your model for a perfect fit. Over time your grill will eventually experience wear and tear, even with the best care. That’s where our selection of replacement parts come in to keep your barbecue churning out delicious meals for years to come.
If you have any questions about our selection of accessories, give our experts a call at (877) 743-2269. Still planning your dream outdoor space? You can also look at our Outdoor Kitchen 3D Design Service to get help planning your zones, choosing your layout, and picking your appliances.