Reviews You Can Rely On

The 4 Best Grill Tools

We tested grill tools from Alpha Grillers, Cuisinart, Weber, and others to discover which sets were best
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Best Grill Tools Review
Credit: Aaron Rice

Our Top Picks

By Aaron Rice ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Jun 27, 2023

The Best Grill Tools


Ready to up your game with some new grill tools? We researched more than 50 sets before selecting 8 of the best available on the market today. Our team of culinary experts compared these sets side-by-side to tease out the subtle differences between spatulas and tongs. We tested these tools by actually cooking with them, judging their performance, and backing that experience up with scrutiny of their quality and utility. After hours of objective research and hands-on testing, we offer an in-depth review to help simplify your selection process and get you the right tools for the job.

If you're planning to do some outdoor entertaining during the warm months, our yard and patio reviews can help. We've tested the best string lights and solar lights to provide luminance and ambiance for your space, as well as the top patio umbrellas to protect from the hot summer sun. From the best charcoal grills to the top-rated bird feeders, we've scoped out the best products for some R&R in your own backyard.


1

Best Essential Grill Tools Set


Alpha Grillers Heavy Duty 4-Piece Set


Materials: Stainless steel with rubber grips | Case Included: No
REASONS TO BUY
Genuinely heavy-duty stainless steel
Ergonomic grips
Long handles
REASONS TO AVOID
Tongs are much shorter than other tools
Expensive for a limited set

The Alpha Grillers Heavy Duty 4-Piece Set is a purposefully designed kit built to last. This no-frills set includes just the essentials, which are constructed from heavy-gauge stainless steel. Although many companies advertise “heavy-duty,” this is the only set we tested that is cast thick enough not to flex or bend. The handles are backed with ergonomic rubber grips that conform nicely to the natural contour of the fingers, and although they don't come with a case, there are large loops for hanging the tools.

We had no complaints with the well-refined design of the fork, spatula, and basting brush. However, we have a couple of criticisms of the tongs — unfortunate, considering tongs are heavily relied on when cooking over an open flame. While all of the other tools measure 18 inches, for some reason, the tongs are only 15 inches. The locking mechanism on the tongs in our set was a bit loose and actually snapped into action randomly while we were using them. We'd love to see these issues resolved, but even still, this is our go-to grill set.

Tools Included: Tongs (locking), spatula, fork, basting brush

grill tools - the ergonomic grips on the tools in the alpha grillers set makes...
The ergonomic grips on the tools in the Alpha Grillers set makes them both user-friendly and incredibly comfortable to use on a daily basis.
Credit: Aaron Rice

2

Best Complete Grill Tools Set


Home-Complete 16-Piece Stainless Steel Set


Materials: Full stainless steel | Case Included: Yes, hard-sided Aluminum
REASONS TO BUY
A complete kit that sticks to the essentials
Tongs have a unique, clamshell design
Utensil neck extends into the handles for increased durability
REASONS TO AVOID
Relatively short handles
Tongs do not lock

The Home-Complete 16-Piece Stainless Steel Set lives up to its name: it is a complete set of grill tools that includes everything you need to get grilling. The first notable difference is that this set excludes an oversized fork — which is, as far as we can tell, a useless tool that should never come into contact with your grilled meats. Secondly, the tongs have a unique “clamshell” shape, which gives you more surface area for easier gripping and flipping. Another important design point is that the stainless-steel neck of these utensils extends all the way back into their grip, improving both strength and durability — especially when compared to wood handle grips secured with rivets, which can come loose over time.

While the Home-Complete set may be more durable than others, these full stainless steel tools still aren't quite as heavy-duty as we would like. The grill brush would certainly benefit from some extra heft, as the flat stainless-steel neck flexes under the pressure necessary to scrub a grill clean. The tongs are well-suited to handle multiple kitchen duties, but since they don't include a locking mechanism, we'll be limiting them to outside use. Even though all of these tools are on the shorter side — they have an average length of only 14 inches — we still found ourselves reaching time and again for their aluminum case when it came time for grilling.

Tools Included: Tongs (non-locking), spatula, grill brush (with 1 replacement head), basting brush, 2 oversized skewers, 8 corn cob holders

grill tools - the home-complete set has everything you need and nothing more...
The Home-Complete set has everything you need and nothing more (though some additional skewers might be a nice addition.)
Credit: Aaron Rice

3

Best Bang for Your Buck


Anpro 21-Piece Grilling Accessories Set


Materials: Full stainless steel | Case Included: Yes, soft-sided
REASONS TO BUY
Excellent price point
Unique tong design
Versatile for the grill and in the kitchen
REASONS TO AVOID
Short handles
Flimsy stainless steel

As an everything kit that comfortably transitions between the grill and kitchen, the Anpro 21-Piece Grilling Accessories Set is easily the most valuable kit in this review. The average size of a spatula head in this review is 19 sq. inches — the Anpro spatula only measures 11.25 sq. inches. Although this might seem counterproductive for grilling tools, hear us out. Slightly smaller utensils are actually much more versatile since you can bring them into the kitchen and have a spatula that is actually small enough to also use in a sautée pan. Similarly, tools like the basting brush can easily transition to other uses, like baking. Unlike other sets in this review, we appreciate that this Anpro kit includes eight skewers instead of only two, plenty to realistically make a meal of grilled kabobs.

As with many inexpensive products, some quality is sacrificed to keep the price down. The Anpro tools have the shortest handles, at just under 14 inches. Despite advertising claims of exceptional durability, testing revealed their construction to be surprisingly flimsy. This is particularly an issue for tools like the grill brush — the neck is thin enough that we could imagine it snapping if you accidentally applied too much pressure while cleaning your grill grates. But if you remain aware of their lightweight design and treat them with care, this fully stainless steel set should enjoy a long life of culinary creation.

Tools Included: Tongs (non-locking), spatula, grill brush, basting brush, knife, fork, 8 skewers, 6 corn cob holders

grill tools - although the anpro spatula (and most other tools) are a fraction of...
Although the Anpro spatula (and most other tools) are a fraction of the size of many other sets, it makes them more nimble and more versatile for use on the grill and in the kitchen.
Credit: Aaron Rice

4

Stellar Value for an Essential Set


Cuisinart 3-Piece Grill Tool Set


Materials: Stainless steel with rubber grips | Case Included: No
REASONS TO BUY
Comfortable handles
Available in fun colors
REASONS TO AVOID
Chrome brand stamp on handles gets very hot in the sun
Awkward hanging design

If you like a bit of flair with your utensils, the multiple color options of the Cuisinart 3-Piece Grill Tool Set will likely appeal to your fun-loving nature. This set includes just the basics: spatula, tongs, and fork. Their 16-inch length offers ample reach for cooking over an open flame. The stainless steel construction is by no means flimsy, but it is not remarkably thick and may be prone to bending under enough force. We were most impressed with the tacky and ergonomic rubber grips with thumb grooves, which are remarkably comfortable to handle.

Despite their size and construction, these tools are noticeably heavier than others we tested. Instead of loops, there are merely holes at the end of the handles, which are awkward to try to hang on the free-swinging S-hooks popular on so many grills. A major design oversight is the chrome “Cuisinart” stamp on the top of the grips — when left out in the sun, this spot gets incredibly hot and can actually burn your palm when you go to pick up the spatula or fork. Caveats aside, as long as you don't expect much beyond the basics, this is a well-built set of tools presented at an affordable price.

Tools Included: Tongs (non-locking), spatula, knife

grill tools - the brightly colored tools of the cuisinart 3-piece set will likely...
The brightly colored tools of the Cuisinart 3-Piece set will likely add some flair to any grill station. Just be careful not to leave them out in the sun!
Credit: Aaron Rice

5

Tools with the Longest Handles


Weber 3-Piece Stainless Steel Premium Set


Materials: Stainless steel with rubber grips | Case Included: No
REASONS TO BUY
Extra-long handles
Tong design provides extra grip
REASONS TO AVOID
Pricey for only three tools
Thin stainless steel

The Weber 3-Piece Stainless Steel Premium Set presents functionality particularly suited to grilling. All of these tools have handles that measure just under 18 inches, nearly an inch longer than their closest competitor. The oversized handles are wrapped in a rubberized grip that incorporates finger grooves, making them very comfortable handling. The tongs have a classic scallop design, but uniquely, the teeth are turned inward, providing a superior grip on food when compared directly to almost every other pair we tested. This design, combined with their length, makes them apt for moving around coals to adjust heat zones.

The Weber Premium tools are well designed for the grill, but too oversized to be versatile in any other capacity. Despite their bulk, they are surprisingly lightweight — but that may come at the expense of durability. They look thick, but their box-frame design means that the stainless steel is much thinner than the comparable Alpha Grillers set. Nonetheless, Weber is known for its quality manufacturing, and we didn't run into any issues during our test period.

Tools Included: Tongs (locking), spatula, fork

grill tools - the extra-long tongs of the weber 3-piece set are ideal for reaching...
The extra-long tongs of the Weber 3-Piece set are ideal for reaching into a hot fire box without singeing any hair.
Credit: Aaron Rice

6

A Great Value for Tools with Wood Handles


BBQ-Aid 3-Piece Grill Set


Materials: Stainless steel with wood handles | Case Included: No
REASONS TO BUY
Solid wood handles
Long handles
REASONS TO AVOID
Bulky spatula
Potential durability issues

If you are searching for tools with full wooden handles, you will be hard-pressed to find a set at a better price point than the BBQ-Aid 3-Piece Grill Set. Despite their relative position in our review, we loved using these tools. At 24 sq. inches, the spatula head is huge, which makes it more useful for larger grills with more open cook surfaces. The handles are proportionally sized, measuring just under 17 inches. The “premium wood” handles are comfortable, don't splinter, and are even claimed to be dishwasher safe — though we generally advise against putting wooden items in the dishwasher.

Unfortunately, there are pitfalls to the positive qualities of the BBQ-Aid set. The oversized spatula is anything but nimble and is actually too wide to flip individual items close together on a full grill. Despite their appearance and feel, we worry a bit about the wood on the handles separating over time — particularly on the tongs, which are not reinforced. And while the wooden handles are comfortable enough to hold, they aren't especially ergonomic. We also wish this set had a case to help protect the wood over its lifetime. However, criticisms and wishes aside, this is an attractive and well-functioning set at a fair price.

Tools Included: Tongs (locking), spatula, fork

grill tools - stylish and affordable, the bbq-aid set is a great option for those...
Stylish and affordable, the BBQ-Aid set is a great option for those whose preference for cooking with wood extends to the handles of their tools.
Credit: Aaron Rice

7

For Those Who Love Bamboo


Cuisinart 13-Piece Bamboo Set


Materials: Stainless steel with bamboo handles | Case Included: Yes, Aluminum w/ Faux Bamboo Facing
REASONS TO BUY
Affordable
Includes hard-sided case
REASONS TO AVOID
Loose handles after minimal use
Grill brush is ineffective

The Cuisinart 13-Piece Bamboo Set will perfectly fit the aesthetic of the modern kitchen. Stainless steel tools are capped with bamboo handles, giving these otherwise basic implements a very clean appearance. This is a surprisingly affordable set, considering the number of pieces included and the fact that it all comes in a hard-sided aluminum case.

But the tools themselves are not high-quality and have notably short handles, measuring just under 15 inches. The stainless steel is lightweight and flimsy, and the flat neck of the utensils bends out of place, rather than flexing and snapping back to its proper position. Though it fits with the theme of this set, the grill scrubber is designed with bamboo tines that are completely ineffective. We were dismayed that after only two uses, the head of our spatula was so loose in its handle that it actually wobbled back and forth. These tools are highlighted in appearance rather than quality construction.

Tools Included: Tongs (locking), spatula, grill brush (bamboo scrubber), basting brush, 4 skewers, 4 bamboo corn cob holders

grill tools - the scalloped head of the cuisinart bamboo tongs are agile enough to...
The scalloped head of the Cuisinart Bamboo tongs are agile enough to individually turn even delicate foods like shrimp.
Credit: Aaron Rice

8

The Superfan Set


YouTheFan NFL 3-Piece Spirit Series Set


Materials: Stainless steel with composite handles | Case Included No
REASONS TO BUY
Custom design featuring your favorite NFL team
Dual bottle openers
REASONS TO AVOID
Durability issues with the composite handles
Weak stainless steel construction

Show off your team spirit at your next tailgate or Sunday BBQ with the YouTheFan NFL 3-Piece Spirit Series Set. This otherwise basic set of essential tools features the branding of your favorite NFL team, complete with a laser-cut spatula head. The spatula and fork both feature bottle openers, which means you can provide both food and drink for the whole crew when it's game time.

Despite their oversized design, the 15-inch handles on this set are not particularly long — with the exception of the spatula, which oddly measures 16.5 inches. We worry most about the durability of the composite handles, which are likely to discolor — or worse, crack and break — especially if they are exposed to sun and rain while hanging on the grill. But if your team comes first, then there is no better way to show off your pride while grilling.

Tools Included: Tongs (non-locking), spatula, fork

grill tools - what better way to showcase your commitment to your favorite team...
What better way to showcase your commitment to your favorite team than with a custom laser-engraved set of tools?
Credit: Aaron Rice

Why Trust GearLab


Just as we do with all of our in-depth reviews, the process first begins with our due diligence of online research. Our team spent hours comparing and contrasting some of the most popular grill tool sets on the market today. After settling on 8 of the best, we purchased all of these sets at retail cost to compare them side-by-side. In conjunction with our charcoal grill testing, we spent a week putting these tools through real-life cooking scenarios. We spent days poring over every detail, analyzing quality and durability, measuring handle length and spatula size, and considering ergonomics. Whether you are looking for the perfect gift for the griller in your life or looking to improve your own kitchen, our comprehensive analysis provides objectively honest comparisons to help cut down on buying time and get you cooking outside.

Our testing of grill tools is divided across four rating metrics:
  • Ease of Use
  • Utility
  • Quality
  • Comfort

No detail goes unnoticed in our reviews, like the difference in...
No detail goes unnoticed in our reviews, like the difference in hanging loops on the tongs of the Weber Premium Set (right) and the Cuisinart Bamboo Set (left.)
The ultimate goal is a delicious grilled meal, isn't it? Here we...
The ultimate goal is a delicious grilled meal, isn't it? Here we show off the basting brush of the award-winning Alpha Grillers Heavy Duty set.
The size of the tools and length of the handles makes a difference...
The size of the tools and length of the handles makes a difference when deciding between sets. The oversized 3-Piece Weber set is well-suited for tending both the fire and food.

One of our culinary experts, Aaron Rice, brings his savvy for open-flame grilling to this review. Aaron is our go-to guy for pit cooking, also heading up our charcoal grills review, review of our favorite meat thermometers, and portable grills. He has worked in and around kitchens for the better portion of a decade — currently, alongside his wife, he grows and co-manages an on-site culinary garden for a fine dining restaurant in Santa Fe, NM. Aaron is the type of person who appreciates having the right tool for the job, and outside of cooking and growing food, you can find him working in the mountains as a ski patroller, avalanche educator, and wilderness instructor.

grill tools - the best way to test is to get your hands a little dirty. in a world...
The best way to test is to get your hands a little dirty. In a world of sterile stainless steel tools, the Cuisinart set presents a colorful alternative. They do get dirty easily, especially around charcoal, but fortunately they also clean up nicely.
Credit: Aaron Rice

Analysis and Test Results


If grilling is an art and the barbeque is the canvas, then a set of grill tools are your brushes. We cover a range of sets, from ones that just focus on the essentials to others that will provide you with every tool imaginable (and sometimes more.) To best assess how these tool sets stack up relative to one another, we take into account four key factors: ease of use, utility, quality, and comfort. By evaluating performance and function based on these fundamental metrics, we were better poised to examine various tool sets side-by-side. This real-world, comparative testing allows us to bring you an honest, in-depth assessment to help you pick out the best set for your own outdoor kitchen.

grill tools - the unique clamshell design of the tongs included in the...
The unique clamshell design of the tongs included in the Home-Complete set makes lifting jobs easier than normal.
Credit: Aaron Rice

Ease of Use


As humans, we developed tools to make our lives easier. Therefore it is easy to conclude: what good is a set of tools if they are not easy to use? This existential question was largely assessed through evidence gathered while actually cooking with these tools. But we also take into heavy consideration the size of the tools. For grilling specifically, having a long handle keeps your hands up and away from the heat of the coal bed. But tools that are too oversized can also be cumbersome to use. Similarly, a large spatula head makes it easy to lift a large cut of meat or a stuffed portobello mushroom. However, if it's too big, it becomes difficult to flip individual items on a full grill.

grill tools - we wanted to believe that the bamboo bristles of the cleaning brush...
We wanted to believe that the bamboo bristles of the cleaning brush included in the Cuisinart Bamboo set would offer an all-natural alternative to the standard. Realistically, you need metal bristles to successfully clean a grill surface.
Credit: Aaron Rice

The Weber 3-Piece Premium, Alpha Grillers 4-Piece, and BBQ-Aid 3-Piece sets all have tools with average handle lengths in the range of 17 inches — the longest in our review — but the spatula heads are also some of the largest. Although they have some of the shortest handles of any tools we tested, we actually found the utensils of the Anpro 21-Piece kit to be some of the most nimble, and therefore the most useful in a variety of situations.

grill tools - a bottle-opener incorporated into the spatula is almost ubiquitous...
A bottle-opener incorporated into the spatula is almost ubiquitous amongst all tool kits we tested, including the Anpro 21-Piece set.
Credit: Aaron Rice

Utility


Similar to our examination of ease of use, it is also essential that these kits are utilitarian. It is important to consider how many pieces these sets include — but remember, it is not always necessary to have every tool in the toolbox. Functionality is also a key factor, and whether or not these tools are multi-purpose or specifically designed for a particular task. We also take into account versatility, and whether or not some of these utensils are useful for other duties in the kitchen.

grill tools - a quality instant-read thermometer is maybe one of the most valuable...
A quality instant-read thermometer is maybe one of the most valuable tools in a kitchen. We were impressed that the one included in the OlarHike 25-Piece Kit rivaled the award-winning Kizen thermometer from our Meat Thermometer Review. And it has a longer temperature probe.
Credit: Aaron Rice

We love the Home-Complete 16-Piece kit for drawing an important line between essential and accessory — and for confidently toeing both sides of that line. Instead of including (useless) items like oversized forks and knives, this set only provides the tools you need to run a professional grill station. To continue to heap on praise, the tongs are designed with a unique “clamshell” shape that provides much more of a gripping surface than almost any other pair of tongs we tested.

grill tools - with teeth on the end of the head, the tongs of the anpro set are...
With teeth on the end of the head, the tongs of the Anpro set are particularly suited for small-scale tasks that require accuracy, like adjusting shrimp on a skewer.
Credit: Aaron Rice

Through our own culinary experience, we firmly believe that a quality pair of tongs can make or break your time behind a grill. In that vein, the tongs included in the Anpro set are especially adept for accuracy, thanks to a design that puts the tongs' teeth on the very end. The Anpro tools are also significantly smaller than every other set we tested, making them remarkably versatile in transitioning from the grill to the stove. One last point related to tongs: the ones included in the Weber set are the only ones we tested where the teeth of the classic “scallop” shape are turned in — this, combined with their oversized head that creates a scoop, makes them particularly useful for moving coals.

grill tools - comparing the scooped scallop-design of the weber tongs (right) with...
Comparing the scooped scallop-design of the Weber tongs (right) with the classic design used on many other tongs, including the BBQ-Aid set (left.)
Credit: Aaron Rice

Quality


This is a metric that we believe is most closely tied to the overall value of any product — if something is built to last, it is not only a better product in the short term, but ultimately saves you money in the long run. We thumb our noses at planned obsolescence, so we carefully examine each and every tool in these sets for quality of construction and to reveal any potential design flaws. Although limited by the length of our test period, our combined experience with product testing gives us a keen eye for spotting issues that may indicate a lack of durability.

grill tools - the sturdy, aluminum case of the home-complete set was a precursor...
The sturdy, aluminum case of the Home-Complete set was a precursor to the overall quality and durability that this set presents.
Credit: Aaron Rice

Practically every grill set we researched advertised a “heavy-duty stainless steel” construction. After flexing, bending, and applying scrubbing pressure, we can confidently say that out of the 8 sets we tested, only the Alpha Grillers Heavy Duty set actually lives up to that claim. This is the only set we tested that isn't designed with a flat neck inserted into the handle — instead, they are all solid pieces of heavy-gauge stainless steel (with the exception of the tongs.)

grill tools - there is nothing wrong with a full stainless steel tool, it is just...
There is nothing wrong with a full stainless steel tool, it is just not quite as comfortable as ones that incorporate grips into their design. The exception may be the tools in the OlarHike set, whose handles are more oblong than round, making them more comfortable to hold than others.
Credit: Aaron Rice

Comfort


We consider comfort an important metric because if these tools are not comfortable to use, you are much less likely to use them. While even professional chefs will only use these tools for a matter of hours each day, it is valuable to acknowledge any ergonomics present in the design of these tools.

The tools in the Alpha Grillers Heavy Duty set are not only...
The tools in the Alpha Grillers Heavy Duty set are not only incredibly rugged, but thoughtfully designed with ergonomics in-mind, as evidenced by the thumb dimple included in the grip on their tongs.
If comfort is a top priority, the Weber 3-Piece set also includes...
If comfort is a top priority, the Weber 3-Piece set also includes sticky, rubber grips that are incredibly comfortable to hold.

A surprising few of these grill sets incorporate ergonomic grips into their design, but at this point, it may not be surprising at all which ones those are. The award-winning Alpha Grillers tools have a rubber grip on the backside of the handles that conforms perfectly to the contour of a grip. The Weber set is nearly as comfortable and incorporates thoughtful design points, like thumbprints on the tongs.

grill tools - once you have chosen your next set of grill tools, make sure you get...
Once you have chosen your next set of grill tools, make sure you get out and get cooking!
Credit: Aaron Rice

Conclusion


Whether you spend every night braving the weather to cook over an open flame or simply love the occasional kabob on a beautiful summer evening, grill tools are a practical solution to keep you cooking and your hands out of the fire. At the very least, we hope our comprehensive review helps narrow your selection — mostly, we want to help you pick the perfect tool set to get outside and get grilling something delicious.

Aaron Rice