Founded in Baton Rouge in 1998, BBQGuys is proud to call South Louisiana home (yes, the foods as good as they say it is). If you prefer a brush with a longer handle, we also recommend the Le Creuset Revolution Basting Brush. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions. With a price well below $10, the Winco tongs are an excellent value.
We think the best option for cooking diced vegetables on the grill is using the affordably priced Grillaholics Grill Basket. The thick-gauge steel of the Bayou Classic Grill Scraper was heavy and awkward for us to hold, and the hook wasnt as defined as the GrillFlosss, so it didnt clean our grates as well. At $100, the Slow N Sear Deluxe isnt a small-ticket item. Read on to see our top pick. We tested these tools while cooking more than100 burgers, 20chickens, and 10 pounds of vegetables on nine different grills. For charcoal purists, we recommend the Weber Jumbo Joe 18. 2022 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company. In our tests the scour pads unraveled quickly and loosened from the head when we tried scrubbing off stubborn messes. In our tests, the 18-gauge uncoated aluminum construction avoided warping at high temperatures, up to 500 F. 
Barbecue experts agree that the best way to protect hands from ambient heat while grilling is to use a set of suede or split-leather welding gloves. The silicone bristles on the OXO brush are heat resistant to 600 F, so they wont melt or leave stray bristles on your food (as most natural-fiber pastry brushes will). We used the Slow N Sear several different ways in our tests. Since bakers sheets offer so much versatility in the kitchen and by the grill, youll want to stock up. The Woody Shovel is good if you have only one grill, as the grooves form to a specific grate shape; multiple grills would require a dedicated Great Scrape tool for each, and that can get costly. Rates as low as 0% APR financing with Affirm. Our R&D department develops high-quality, fairly priced grilling equipment. *At the time of publishing, the price was $100. The ThermoPop also has a generous reading range (58 to 572F) and a splash-proof body. (The material on the OXO tongs is actually a thermoplastic elastomer, a mix of plastic and rubber, but point taken.). We filled the basket with hot coals from the chimney starter, topped with peach-wood chunks, and filled the reservoir with water. Owned and operated by ShoppersChoice.com, LLC d/b/a BBQGuys.comAll Rights Reserved. The hole in the handle on the Woody Shovel is an upgrade over the solid grip on The Great Scrape's Woody Paddle. Though the handle was shorter than those of some other brushes we tested, we found that it still provided enough distance from the grill to keep our hands safe. Its a perfectly acceptable pair [of tongs], but the rubber is going to fail first." You can find other, less expensive charcoal baskets, but none we researched offered the range of functionality of the Slow N Sear, which Craig Meathead Goldwynone of the leading voices in professional grillingcalls the single best accessory for the Weber kettle ever. The original version that we tested, the Slow N Sear Plus, has since been discontinued and replaced by the Slow N Sear Deluxe, which includes a removable water reservoir and differently shaped holes in the bottom grate that the company claims will make it more resistant to warping. Here are our top picks. If youre a regular griller/smoker or plan to be one, these qualities may justify the expense. But in our tests, we found that they blocked a lot of the heat source due to their mostly solid design. When hes not here, hes on his bike. Additionally, we liked the curved handles on the Grillaholics basket, which made it easier for us to move the pan around the grill using tongs. The probe has a temperature range of -58 to 572F and a cable thats heat resistant to 700F, considerably higher than the 400F resistance that other models offer. We independently review everything we recommend. The Thermapen, however, is unmatched due to its speed, unparalleled accuracy and waterproof casing. The Slow N Sear Deluxe turns any 22-inch kettle grill into a more capable and versatile smoker, and makes indirect cooking and high-heat searing simple. Its important to remember that these gloves are heat resistant, but not heatproof. I think silicone is guaranteed up to 500 or 550 degrees Fahrenheit, said Steven Raichlen, author and founder of Barbecue University. It also boasts a limited lifetime warranty. We wanted to see if we could get similar (or better) flavor and texture on the grill using the Slow N Sear. We havent seen any reviews of diminished scraping abilities with use, so well be long-term testing the Woody Shovel this summer to see how it holds up to frequent use. If our main pick isnt available, we also recommend the comparably priced Cave Tools Vegetable Grill Basket. But if you want a simple way to add brilliant smoking and searing ability to your kettle grill, its an investment worth considering. Theyre popular, but weve found that the tools in such sets are usually of substandard quality and poorly designed. This affordably priced instant-read thermometer impressed us with its speed and accuracy, generous temperature range, easy-to-read display, and splash-proof body. In our tests, the bristles of the Le Creuset brush held a good amount of barbecue sauce and created an even coating over the meat. In our tests, the Best BBQ Grill Brush removed stuck-on sauce and carbonized bits the quickest. The beveled edge of this wooden grill paddle takes on the pattern of your grill, becoming a custom scraper that hugs the grates. To learn how we use your information, see our privacy policy. We strive for the perfect balance of workplace and community to create a fun, enjoyable environment for all of our employees. The larger perforations on this basket offer better heat and air circulation and allow the vegetables to have more contact with the grill grate. In our tests, the Hells Handle proved to be the one spatula that testers kept reaching for, prompting Sam Sifton to exclaim, "Holy cow, its a good tool.". Between them, they held enough sauce that we didnt have to continuously reapply. Since it can withstand higher temperatures, the Dot can also monitor the ambient temperature of grills and smokers (ThermoWorks sells affordably priced grate clips and air probes separately). Our former upgrade pick was discontinued. *At the time of publishing, the price was $7. Although they are hugely popular with professionals and grilling enthusiasts, we were less impressed. The Winco tongs have a comfortable spread when open, and the spring provides just enough resistance, so your hands dont get fatigued when grilling for a crowd; many other tongs are too stiff and quickly tire out your hands. She is perfectly happy to leave all that behind to be a full-time kitchen-gear nerd. If youre also shopping for the grill itself, check out our guides to the best charcoal, gas, and portable grills. Are you sure you want to remove the following product from the cart? Youll need extra protection if you want to grab and move scorching-hot metal grilling baskets and grates. We tested the Slow N Sear using fast and slow indirect-cooking and smoking methods, and we also blackened vegetables for salsa over direct heat (sear). For more recommendations, see our full guide to probe thermometers. If you want to save a few dollars and dont mind losing the enhanced handle, the Woody Paddle is a good option and offers the same cleaning functionality. Other gloves we tested included the Weber 6472 Barbecue Mitt, the San Jamar Kool-Tek Conventional Oven Mitt, and the Ove Glove Hot Surface Handler. Before you start grilling, always run a wet rag (an old cotton one can do the job) after scraping your preheated grill to clean any remaining debris, including possible errant wires, from the grates. In the latest round of testing, we gathered the following food and cooking experts from Wirecutter and The New York Times to combine forces at a backyard-grilling boot camp: Over the course of four days, we tested these tools while cooking more than 100 burgers, 20chickens, and 10 pounds of vegetables on nine different grills. Over time, we think the stainless steel Grillaholics basket will stand up to the rigors of high-heat grilling better than the nonstick Williams-Sonoma pan we tested. These gloves offer better heat protection than Nomex or silicone, and better dexterity than standard kitchen oven mitts. We think the smart money is on buying only what you need, choosing tools of top quality, instead of paying for low-quality extras that inevitably turn into clutter. If youre hellbent on "no wire brushes," The Great Scrape's Woody Shovel is our favorite wire-free grate-cleaning option. The Slow N Sear is also good for "reverse searing," or as Craig Meathead Goldwyn of AmazingRibs.com calls it, sear in the rear. Ideal for thick steaks, this method involves cooking the meat indirect until the internal temperature is 15 degrees below your target, and then searing directly over the hot coals to get a crisp crust. The brush is also dishwasher safe.
Also, we liked the strong magnet on the back of the unit that kept it securely attached to the side of a grill. We liked the wide handle on the Hells Handle spatula because it felt secure in the hand and provided more leverage than most of the competition. After flipping more than 100 burger patties with 10 different spatulas, we think the Mercer Hells Handle Large Fish Turner is the best spatula for the grill, offering flexibility and strength. Steaks we cooked on GrillGrates were seared only where the meat made contact with the grate, leaving the rest of the surface pale, and asparagus spears barely showed any grill marks at all. OXOs tongs also include the cushioned grips that have become synonymous with the Good Grips line. Learn More. Fire-roasted salsa usually involves blackening vegetables in a screaming-hot cast-iron skillet under your ovens broiler. Unlike the coiled metal pads on some other brushes, the Bests steel bristles stayed intact and upright with no signs of breakage or shedding. Dont think that you can plunge your hands into a glowing coal bed or hold scorching-hot metal without feeling heat. After smoking 100 pounds of meat on three pellet grills, we think the Traeger Pro 575 is worth the cost. The GrillFloss is also an ideal tool for kicking hot charcoal around the firebox, a job usually reserved for tongs that eventually touch the food. This half-moon charcoal basket, which has an integral reservoir that holds 1 quart of water, fits flush against the side of the grill, so its easily accessible from the hinged cooking grate. The scalloped heads arent as tightly angled as on our top pick, so small items arent as easy to grip; during testing with the OXO tongs, we had a few asparagus casualties. Sifton noted, The 16-inch is your standard summer go-to for summer grilling, and I use them interchangeably inside and outside. Wincos heavy-duty stainless steel tongs are sturdy enough to securely grip large cuts of meat and are dishwasher safe. This grill brush has three rows of thick wire bristles that let you quickly scrape burnt gunk from hot grill grates, which is good news for your hands. The locking mechanism doesnt slip, and the roomy hanging loop lets you easily hang the pair on a grill side table. We still think the split leather US Forge 400 Welding Gloves offer the best combination of heat resistance, dexterity, and price. Since the Grillaholics basket is dishwasher safe, its also easier to clean. For more recommendations, see our full guide to meat thermometers. Grilling is a lot more pleasantand your results will be more professionalif you have a set of grill tools that do their jobs well.
Theyre also fire resistant and comfortable. With its three rows of thick-gauge wire bristles, the Best Grill Brush covers a lot of surface area with each stroke, and its sturdy construction refused to bend during tough scraping tasks. Sign up to receive new product news, exclusive offers, grilling tips & recipes, and more from Weber and its affiliates / subsidiaries! BBQGuys does more than test and sell grills we show you how to use them, too.
The brush has two types of bristles: silicone outer bristles, and a set of flat perforated bristles in the core of the brush. The narrow angle of the Wincos scalloped heads provided the most control when grabbing skinny asparagus spears or slippery sauce-laden chicken. And the hook is replaceableif it ever wears out, a new one costs just a few bucks. Barbecue and grilling expert Rick Browne, creator, host, and executive producer of PBSs Barbecue America television series, told us that 50 teams were present at the last barbecue competition he attended, and "48 of them used a Thermapen, or another device just like a Thermapen." Read on to learn more. After spending weeks researching propane gas grills and days testing Weber, Spirit, and Napoleon models, we found the best gas grills for most BBQ lovers. (Also, who wants to cook on a dirty grill?) In contrast, the wide-angled heads on many competitors dont let you pick up small stuff. You might notice the absence of grilling sets in this guide. But if you prefer a probe thermometer, which can remain in the meat so you can monitor the temperature while it cooks without having to open the grill lid, we recommend the ThermoWorks Dot. Its simple design and straightforward controls made it easier to use than the competition. If you have two, you need a third." Wirecutter staff writer Lesley Stocktonhas six in various sizes athome and always needs more during big cookouts and dinner parties. Although the number of cases is relatively low, the risk is worth noting. According to a representative of the manufacturer, the polypropylene handle can withstand temperatures of up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. The Nordic Ware sheet is an excellent value for the quality, performing as well as pans twice the price. Buy now, pay later. The design sports a tightly rolled lip and a generous 1-inch rim thats comfortable and easy to hold with one hand, important when youre working fast over the grill. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. We also like the Winco TN719 Blade Hamburger Turner for lifting hefty burgers off the grill. We charred tomatoes and onions directly over freshly lit, red-hot coals, and put a foil pack of garlic and oil off to the side in the indirect zone. Whether youre grilling chicken pieces or multiple racks of ribs, a basting brush that can generously apply barbecue sauce without deteriorating over high heat is a necessary tool for the job. Sheet pans dont necessarily come to mind when people talk about cooking outdoors, but you do need a platform for transferring food to and from the grill. After years of using the US Forge gloves with high heat and sooty grill parts, we feel comfortable in saying that if you use them within their capacity, they will keep you safe.
The Slow N Sear Deluxe charcoal basket lets you easily smoke large cuts and sear steaks and veggies on a kettle grill. The Perfect Gift for Every Type of Griller. We haven't had the chance to test the new version yet, but it's similar enough to the Plus that we think it should perform just as well. We also tested GrillGrates, which consist of anodized aluminum plates that link together in sections and rest on the existing grates or grate holders. We have 42 picks made by housewares company OXO across more than 30 of our guides. They're available to fit most common grill brands, and we tried them out on both charcoal and gas grills.
For me, I like welders gloves or suede gloves.. The cotton liner provides some additional heat protection, guards your hands against the gloves stitching, and helps to wick away sweat. The tapered shape of the spatula allowed us to work successfully on a full grill, easily slipping in between burgers to get a clean flip. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Shop Weber Grill Accessories That Ship Out in 3 Days or Less! Whether it's finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we'll help you get it right (the first time). The GrillFloss isnt just a scraperits also an all-around grill-grate grabbing and rotating tool that Sam Sifton calls his "secret weapon for summer grilling." But typically when youre direct grilling, or if youre heating something on the grill, youre going to be up above 600 to 700 degrees. Other grill brushes we tested but dismissed include the Tool Wizard Barbecue Brush, which uses replaceable woven wire pads to clean grates. If you want the fastest instant-read thermometer, one beloved by the pros, we recommend getting the Thermapen One. Michael Sullivan has been a staff writer on the kitchen team at Wirecutter since 2016. Over the years, weve found fish turners to be the most versatile spatulas in general, and this large version is no different. We tested more than 36 instant-read meat thermometers and probe thermometers for speed, accuracy, and price. An upside to using the Woody Shovel instead of a wire brush is the pleasant smell of burnt hardwood every time you use it.