Why I Ditched My Expensive Grill Tools for These 5 Basics

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Hey there Reader,

My grilling setup used to look like a hardware store exploded in my backyard....

I had gadgets for everything – specialty burger presses, fancy digital probe sets with Bluetooth connectivity, grill brushes with "patented bristle technology," and enough single-use tools to stock a Williams Sonoma. I just found a rogue bin of more unused grilling gadgets and was reminded that sometimes all you need is the basics....

1. Chimney Starter (Not Lighter Fluid)

What I ditched: Fancy electric starters - and no, lighter fluid - ever.

The chimney starter is the most underrated tool in grilling. While your buddies are dousing their charcoal in chemicals, you'll have perfectly lit coals in 15 minutes with nothing but newspaper and a match. No chemical taste, no flare-ups that run hot and burn your coals out too soon, just clean-burning charcoal ready to work.

Why it works: Chimney starters give you better-tasting, more evenly lit charcoal than lighter fluid. every. single. time.

Get the chimney starter we use →

2. Long Grilling Tongs (Your New Best Friend)

What I ditched: Short tongs, grill forks, and those ridiculous claw things

Good tongs aren't just for double-clicking, they're extensions of your hands. We pick long tongs, at least 16+ inches, so you can move food around without losing your eyebrows. No piercing meat like a fork does (goodbye, precious juices), no fumbling with short handles.

The test: How easy is it to open and close the tongs from their locked position when you're ready to go? It should be a natural movement, not a fight.

Shop our recommended long tongs →

3. One Great Grilling Spatula (Not Five Bad Ones)

What I ditched: Flimsy spatulas, burger presses, and "grill tool sets"

You need exactly one spatula – thin, wide, and sturdy with a long handle for safety. Those thick, clunky spatulas in gift sets? They're designed to look impressive in packaging, not to actually flip food without tearing it.

The secret: A thin edge slides under food without tearing, while the wide surface supports whatever you're flipping.

See our go-to grilling spatula →

4. Thermapen ONE (Stop Guessing)

What I ditched: Slow dial thermometers and "leave-in" probe sets that never worked.

After 15 years, I still use a thermometer on every single cook. The Thermapen gives you an accurate reading in under a second. No more cutting into steaks to check doneness, no more dry chicken, no more guesswork.

The Thermapen has become my ride or die of grilling. I can make almost any situation work without my other favorite tools, but this one? It's always in my pocket.

Real talk: This tool pays for itself the first time it saves a $40 ribeye from overcooking.

Get the Thermapen ONE →

5. Leather Grilling Gloves (Actual Protection)

What I ditched: Silicone oven mitts and those useless cloth "grill gloves"

When you're working with 500-degree grates and moving hot cast iron, you need real protection. Leather gloves let you handle everything directly – no more dancing around hot spots or dropping food because your grip slipped.

Tip: If you're working with cast iron, still use a thick cloth and leather gloves for double protection. That heat gets through anything.

Bonus: They make you look like you know what you're doing (which you will).

Shop leather grilling gloves →

These tools cost less than that fancy grill set collecting dust in your garage. More importantly, they'll make you a better griller.

We link to everything we recommend in our shop – the exact brands and models we use in our Meat Labs. No guesswork, no regrets.

Ready to simplify your setup? Browse all our essential grilling tools →

Cheers,

Kita GirlCarnivore.com
Head Meat Maven Since 2013

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