15 BBQ Accessories That Make Grilling Easier

The best BBQ accessories solve a real problem: safer handling, cleaner cooking, better temperature control or less mess. Skip novelty gadgets and focus on equipment that earns its space beside the grill.

Here are 15 accessories that can make outdoor cooking noticeably easier.

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1. Grill cover. Protects the cooker from weather, dust and debris between uses.

2. Cast-iron griddle. Adds a flat cooking surface for breakfast, smash burgers, onions and foods that would fall through the grate.

3. Grill basket. Excellent for vegetables, seafood and smaller pieces.

4. Rib rack. Helps increase capacity when cooking several racks at once.

5. Wireless meat thermometer. Lets you follow long cooks without repeatedly opening the lid.

6. Heat-resistant gloves. Useful for hot grates, pans and smoker parts.

7. Butcher paper. Popular for wrapping brisket and other low-and-slow cooks while allowing more surface breathing than foil.

8. Heavy-duty aluminum foil. Useful for wrapping, drip pans, resting meat and protecting delicate foods.

9. Drip pans. Reduce cleanup and can help manage indirect cooking zones.

10. Smoke tube. Can add extra pellet smoke in compatible grills and smokers.

11. Grill light. A simple upgrade for evening cooks.

12. Cutting board with juice groove. Gives large cuts a stable resting and carving surface.

13. Meat claws or shredding forks. Helpful for pulled pork and handling large cooked cuts.

14. Sauce bottles and prep containers. Keep rubs, sauces and finishing liquids organized near the grill.

15. Charcoal baskets or dividers. Make two-zone charcoal setups faster and more repeatable.

A charcoal griller may get more value from a chimney starter, charcoal baskets and heat gloves. A smoker owner may prioritize wireless probes, butcher paper and drip pans. A gas-grill owner might get more use from a griddle, grill basket and quality cover.

Start with accessories that solve a problem you already have instead of buying everything at once. For the basic toolkit, see our Essential Grilling Tools. For temperature equipment, See OurBest Meat Thermometers for 2026 →.