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Grilling season is the light at the end of the tunnel after a long hard winter, of months and months of rain, and seemingly endless dark and dingy evenings. Nothing feels better than the first warm spring afternoon spent preparing ribs for your family and friends.
Table of Contents
What you probably don’t miss about grill season is the constant discussion about which grill brand is superior. Your best mate has an opinion. Your father-in-law has an opinion. Your cashier has an opinion. It’s hard to avoid people’s fervent beliefs about grills, especially in a barbecue loving town.
It would be easier to give in to the first person who tells you what you should buy, but don’t do it! When it comes to picking a grill, if you don’t pick something that works for you then you’re wasting your time.
We’ve put together this article to show you what the 5 best Grill brands out there have to offer.
We will talk to you through all the important points like the length of the warranty, grilling space, and what they burn.
We have also put together a comprehensive buyers’ guide and have answered some grilling FAQs; so that once you finish reading this article you’ll be fully prepared to buy the perfect grill for you.
In a hurry? This is our winner!
Runner Up
Best Grill Brands – Comparison Table
Best Grill Brands – Reviews
For instant, accurate temperature-taking right out of the box, look no further than this digital thermometer from Alpha Grillers, a key part of any good grillmaster’s (or mistress, women grill too!) arsenal for getting perfectly cooked meat every time.
Simply insert the tip of the flip-out, space-saving probe into your food and receive an accurate, clear measurement in just a couple of seconds – when you’re done, flip it down again, and it will auto power down to save battery. Amazing!
Accurate to +/- one degree, with an incredibly wide measurement range from -58 to up to 572 degrees Fahrenheit, as well as being pre-calibrated for your convenience, it’s ready to rock and roll as soon as it hits your doorstep, battery included.
Large, easy-to-read font and a bright blue neon backlight mean you’ll be able to read your temperatures quickly, no matter what time of day, without squinting over your hot grill, even if your eyes aren’t what they used to be.
Furthermore, the Alpha Thermometer is IP67 rated waterproof, so don’t worry about washing it after, as you’ll be able to scrub it clean beneath running water without worrying about damage.
It’s even magnetic, so you can stick it to the side of your grill for handy storage within easy reach, or hang it up neatly on a rack thanks to the built-in keyring hole. It won’t take up much room in your drawer, either!
- Instant Read Food Thermometer | Our instant read thermometer features a temperature probe and advanced, highly accurate technology with 2-3 seconds response time; Instructions, 2 CR2 button battery, meat temperature chart, 4 hook and loop dots for storage, comes pre-calibrated for your convenience, and recalibrating feature if needed.
- Multi-Use | From bbq thermometer to baking thermometer, our digital food thermometer for cooking is perfect for meats, liquids, deep frying and candy making.
- Easy-Read Digital Thermometer For Cooking | Large instant thermometer dial with bright blue backlight means you can always read the temperature, whether you are grilling in the dark or baking in your kitchen.
- Water-Resistant | Perfect digital cooking thermometer for meat, our digital meat thermometer for food of any kind is water-resistant IP66 rated and can be washed and cleaned under running water.
- Wedding Registry Search Digital Food Thermometer | Our meat thermometers for cooking and grilling are delivered in an elegant, foam lined box, making it the ideal gift for any barbecue or cooking enthusiast or professional. Makes for the perfect food thermometer for cooking.
- Fast, accurate readings in an instant with 2-4 second reaction time
- Accurate within one degree
- Backlit, bright, easy-read display
- Waterproof for stress-free cleaning
- Not for use with induction stoves
Tired of slaving away with a scraper after every single time you cook? Brush through burnt grease in seconds with this bristle-free, 150% more flexible grill brush from GRILLART, and it won’t shed onto your grill!
With this wider, hollowed-out scraping tool, you’ll effortlessly scrub larger stubborn stains, and thanks to it shorter sides, cleaning in between each grate is a breeze, and you don’t have to dismantle everything!
Use of a double helix design not only makes this brush bendier for easy cleaning, but it’s not going to scratch up your grill, even if it’s coated with porcelain or ceramic, though it cannot be used with mesh grates.
Composed of superior stainless steel, you’ll find this brush lasts five times longer than competitors, as it is corrosion and rustproof, with a no-bristle design to prevent dangerous shedding into your food.
Seventeen inches of reinforced handle is sturdier than ever, keeping your hands free of burns but also guaranteeing your brush isn’t going to snap any time soon, even after the most vigorous cleaning techniques.
- 【The Safest Grill Brush You Can Ever Find】: Once terrified by the horror news someone swallowed falling bristles? Or even the people around you have had such a terrible experience? Well, it's time for you to get rid of this fear completely. With our bristle free grill brush, there is no sharp, stiff and easy to fall short wire at all. Your food will always remain 100% bristle free, allowing you to go back to the happy time of free swallowing delicious barbecue! No more dread ever again!
- 【More Accurate & Faster Cleaning - Wide Scraper with the Latest Hollowed-out Design】: A wide scraper is not special but can remove stubborn residue faster & more easily. However, ours‘ is still outstanding, because its unique hollowed-out design will never block your view at work, so you can always clearly target the dirty parts needed to be cleaned again, and make each stroke accurately fall where you need it, save you tons of time and energy;
- 【Handy to Use - Double helix, Not Three】: Compared with the common 3-layer helix design, our 2-layer maybe better for you. 2-layer means lighter weight and smarter size, you can clean both large & small grill more easily as there’s no extra weight or bulky size to hinder your cleaning progress, and ultimately make your cleaning more laborious. A good BBQ brush should exist for your ease of use, rather than sacrificing its due convenience in pursuit of the so-called larger cleaning area;
- 【Comfortable to Hold - Ideal Long Handle】: In order to improve your grip comfort and make it easier for you to grip even for a long time, this grill cleaner brush specially does not use a thicker handle. Thicker doesn't necessarily mean stronger, because the right thickness is enough to withstand the cleaning force that most of us are used to. Strong enough and comfortable long handle can not only keep your hands away from heat, but also provide you with maximum comfort. Who wouldn't love it?
- 【Built to Last & Suitable for All Grates】: The whole cleaning brush is made of superior materials, it’s strong, portable, durable and won’t rust, suitable for all types of grills and will not cause scratches, you can rest assured to use, it will last. Consider getting Two - one for you and one for your very best friend.(Surely, your satisfaction is always our greatest pursuit, feel free to message us at any time if ever needed.)
- Hollowed out, wide design for shorter cleaning time
- Bristle free and family-safe
- Sturdy, built from stainless steel
- Double helix for scrubbing hart to reach spots
- Unsuitable for mesh grated grills
Wide, flat, reusable skewers from Norpro will not only improve your cooking techniques but save the planet as well, so you’ll never again have to buy a pack of single-use plastic or wood to just throw away after use.
Made from Italy, where cooks are king, the stainless steel construction provides a smooth metal surface, easily sliding your food on and off in seconds without a struggle or the chance of slicing your fingers!
Its flat surface prevents rotation during cooking, to ensure that when you turn your skewers, everything will move together, for an even and thorough cooking process whether you’re grilling meat, veggies or both.
Gripping the rounded handle mid-cooking is easy and safe, with no messing around or the opportunity for burning yourself, and because it’s a hooped-design, you can hang your skewers up to display anywhere or tuck them away neatly in a drawer.
Each set comes with six 12 inch skewers, which is great for the price, so we’d recommend picking up two packs, that way you’ll have plenty of skewers to serve your whole family, without keeping anyone waiting.
- Measures: 12" x .25" / 30.5cm x .6cm / Set of 6
- These flat, wide skewers look, cook and work better than the rest. Smooth metal surface makes it easy to slide food on and off. Flat surface helps the food not rotate on the skewer and turn all together for even thorough cooking on all sides.
- Rounded top is easy to grip and great for hanging skewers up to store.
- Chunks of beef or pork, fish, even vegetables, like tomatoes and mushrooms won't slip or spin.
- Stainless steel construction.
- Long enough to pack on the meat and veg, even halloumi!
- Sturdy, wipe-clean, heat resistant stainless steel
- No slipping or spinning mid-cook
- A very environmentally friendly purchase
- Only six per set, so get two for big families and barbecues
Whether you opt for the 9 and 12 inch variety or the slightly longer pair at 14 and 16 inches, these tongs from Allwin-Houseware are non-stick, corrosion-resistant and odor free, making a great addition to your grilling accessories.
Premium, 304 stainless steel construction with a brushed steel finish ensures a long life for these tongs, which are extra thick to easily hold on to even the largest hunks of meat you’ll want to grill.
They’re heat resistant up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, though the ergonomically designed silicone grips ensure you’re never going to burn your hands anyway, whilst a one-piece non-detachable head keeps bacteria at bay.
Dishwasher safe, 100% BPA free and FDA approved, they’re kitchen-friendly, good for use by adults and kids alike, and never going to impact on the taste or quality of the food, unless it’s improving your cooking skills!
An innovative ring pull locking system with a durable spring mechanism allows you to store your tongs neatly and easily, as does the large hanging loop, and also means you won’t find them slipping open or snapping closed when you don’t want them to.
For such a budget-friendly price, the fact that you’re getting two sets of tongs is an excellent deal, and will also increase the versatility of cooking, meaning you have the right tool to use whether you’re cooking for yourself or the whole family.
- With locking clip in closed position.
- Non-stick, Corrosion resistant and Odor resistant.
- Premium 304 stainless steel construction and brushed steel finished.
- Non-slip Surface design offer you the best control on food.
- Dishwasher safe and Large hanging loop for easy storage.
- Strong, lockable grip
- Protective silicone on handles to prevent burns
- Heat resistant, premium stainless steel
- Dishwasher safe and FDA approved
- All metal – some prefer silicone heads for better grip
The carefully built, stainless steel scraper two-pack we’ve selected from overstockedkitchen are deftly crafted with heavy-duty bevel blades for long-lasting, quality service every time you use them.
An angled, offset scraper allows you to slide and pick up even the thickest slabs with meat, whilst a perforated second scraper, also offset, is great for getting rid of excess grease when you’re grilling, to drain off without paper towel wastage.
Both riveted and smooth, the wooden handle is firm and won’t slip out of your grasp, as well as being far away enough from the head that you aren’t in danger of any flames from your grill catching it and causing warpage.
You’ll find them great for coating-free grills, but those with porcelain or ceramic coated set-up might notice chipping – not for use with your classic non-stick cookware, you have been warned!
Being both affordable and offering you the chance to flip and turn like a pro are characteristics that are hard to find together in spatulas, but not these ones, which will have you working at the speed of a Japanese sushi chef in no time.
- Commercial grade quality
- One perforated face spatula
- One solid face spatula
- Sturdy stainless steel
- Riveted smooth wood handle
- Two spatulas for the price of one, perforated and solid
- Commercial grade sharp stainless steel
- Bevel blades for superior scraping
- Offset angle for swift, simple grilling
- Great for grilling, but not in your kitchen
Best Grilling Accessories – Buyers Guide
Okay, you’ve had a look at what we’ve got to offer, but you’d like some justifications and explanations.
No problem!
In no particular order, here’s each tool we identified, what you should get them for, and how to spot and secure the best quality products.
Digital Meat Thermometer
Why Do I Need It?
When you like your pork juicy, your steaks perfectly pink, and your chicken moist, a digital thermometer is your best friend, as it guarantees your food is at the appropriate temperatures for consumption as well as being perfectly succulent.
Features To Look Out For:
Display Size
You’ll want a screen that’s easy to read, but not so large that your thermometer is cumbersome and difficult to fit into your kitchen drawers, so you can assess temperature at a glance.
Ease of Use
Is this a thermometer with a simple probe that is popped into your meat for temperature in seconds, or do you need to mess around with an app and connectivity issues before you get your reading?
Accuracy
In-oven thermometers are ideal here, as they can provide a constant update without the need to open the oven door! Probed models stay outside, connected by heat-resistant wires, which can be a little bit more hassle.
Measurements
Usually, thermometers will offer a Centigrade and a Fahrenheit option that you can switch between, but make sure when you buy that you’ll be able to utilize the scale you prefer – most American cookbooks will go by Fahrenheit, typically.
Grill Brush
Why Do I Need It?
Cleaning your grates after every single grill session is imperative for maintaining your setup, extending its lifespan, and preventing any change to the taste of future cooking as a result of burnt-on remnants you’ve failed to remove. Don’t skip it!
Features To Look Out For:
Is It Bad For Your Grill?
A golden rule for grill brushes is to get a stainless steel brush for a stainless steel grill and brushes with softer bristles for all other varieties, especially those coated with porcelain – though some newer models have been made to be universal
Comfortable Hold
A brush that’s easy to use will feel nice in your hand and won’t lead to blistering after a good scrub, allowing you to get into those nooks and crannies with a long enough handle to reach all of the dirty bits.
Durability
Will it withstand the heavy-duty task of scraping at your grill on a regular basis, or fall apart after one use? Are the bristles secure, or going to shed and fall into your grate, causing a potential health hazard by contaminating your food?
Tongs
Why Do I Need It?
Unless you’ve got superhuman skin, grabbing, moving and flipping your piping hot food is going to hurt an awful lot if you try and do it with your fingers, not to mention kinda gross. Save yourself time and pain by investing in a quality pair of tongs.
Features To Look Out For:
Heat-Resistant Handle
You’re going to want a pair of tongs that are made from stainless steel for the most durable set, but these can prove too hot to… handle. Padding made from silicone or another heat-proof material protects your fingers and retains a good grip.
Size
The set of tongs we picked comes with two products: a mini 9-inch and a bigger 12-inch set, which means you’ll have the perfect pair no matter what you’re cooking, be it a huge steak or a small link of sausages.
Locking Mechanism
Whether you want to store them more easily or keep a good grip on something slippery, a set of tongs capably of locking at a certain distance is especially useful and allows for more versatile use.
- Spatula
Why Do I Need It?
Come on, you know this one. It’s obvious! A good spatula (sometimes called a turner) is the grill cook’s best friend: look at Spongebob Squarepants, he’s never without his. Your number one, go-to cooking tool.
Features To Look Out For:
Material
Stainless steel of the highest possible quality is the material you want in a spatula, as it won’t succumb to rust or corrosion – a plastic spatula for in-house cutting isn’t going to cut it, and will definitely melt if it comes into contact with your grill
Slots
A long, thin head is great, but what’s better is two or three drainage slots, which will reduce the amount of hot grease being pushed around whilst you cook and prevent any buildup in your food, too.
Handle
The right handle length is important: though its head might seem like the most important factor, one between sixteen and nineteen inches is sufficient and will keep your sensitive skin away from the hot grill!
- Reusable Skewers
Why Do I Need It?
If you’re only having kebabs and other such foods occasionally, then you’ll be fine with the disposable kind: more regular skewer users should save the planet and invest in a set of reusable skewers, which are sharper and wipe-clean.
Features To Look Out For:
Handle
You want a thin metal handle, which sounds counterproductive as it’s a heat conductor, but plastic and wood are going to burn or melt at high heat, and a thick handle will retain too much heat and burn your fingers! A small hoop is best.
Sharpness
Avoid curved or flexible blades, which are never going to properly penetrate your meat: a flat, super-sharp blate skewers with ease and saves time struggling to prepare your cooking that is best spent firing up the grill!
Durability
A sturdy, non-flexible skewer is going to serve you the best, so opt for a stainless steel design that’s not going to bend during cooking and allows you the maximum security when working at a hot grill.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to start grilling?
Besides picking up a quality grill that’s dependable, well-constructed, offers plenty of room, and packs enough heat to sear the thickest steak, there are some other things you need to begin your grilling journey.
As we’ve said above, a stainless steel spatula, a good pair of tongs, a meat thermometer, a set of skewers and a decent grill brush are the five pieces we recommend you don’t miss from your starter kit.
Gloves are an important consideration: whether you opt for a pair or a singular, make sure they’re sufficiently heat-resistant and built to withstand the open flames of your grill in order to protect you properly.
Likewise, a solid apron to catch all of your spills, protecting your clothes and the fragile skin beneath them from the splashes of hot grease, is a worthy investment, and you can find a huge variety of designs to suit your taste.
Some good quality cooking spray is another excellent addition to your arsenal, with the non-stick, fine mist variety that will not only protect your grates but make cleaning up afterward much simpler and less strenuous.
Absolute beginners (and their friends and family) may well feel much safer with a fire extinguisher on hand, which is an excellent addition to any household for peace of mind, but especially when brandishing the open flame of a grill!
If you want to recreate the delicious flavor of smoking your food, without investing in a backyard smoker, you could also pick up some woodchip packets and aluminum foil, to serve as a DIY, makeshift smoker.
This is only likely to work well if you have a lid for your grill, to retain the smokiness around the food and give it an opportunity to absorb before escaping, and isn’t exactly a key necessity for beginners, either, but we wanted to be thorough!
Should I clean my grill after every use?
Post-use, you don’t have to perform a thorough, deep-cleaning, and inspection every single time: that’s more of an every six months job, where you disassemble every piece and scrub each individual part.
After any cooking session, though, you should scrub down your grill with a brush to prevent the build-up of grease, or worse, carbon, which is a carcinogenic deposit found in cigarettes. Not delicious whatsoever!
You’ll find this improves the taste of your food overall, but will also give your grill a better shot of a longer life – they aren’t a cheap investment, so preserving them for as long as possible is in your best interest.
Any tips for grilling amateurs?
One major tip professionals would suggest is seasoning your grill every time before cooking, and no, we’re not talking about salt and pepper here, this has nothing to do with flavoring your food, but rather keeping rust at bay.
It actually refers to the process of readying your grill’s grates for a cooking session: first, you’ll want to pre-heat and then give them a good scrub with your grill brush to remove any debris… unless you’re lucky enough to have a brand new one.
Before using your grill for the very first time, we’d recommend giving the grates a nice, even coating of high-heat, non-stick cooking spray whilst they’re still cold, then leaving on medium heat for 15 minutes or so, or until you notice the oil has burnt off.
However, if you’ve got one of those fancier grills that incorporate a porcelain coating, it’s unlikely to benefit whatsoever from a pre-cook seasoning, which would just be an unnecessary effort. Don’t waste your time!
