BBQ Cooking Tools for Grilling, Lighting, Cooking and Serving

BBQ Cooking Tools

Suitable BBQ cooking tools help you prepare, turn, move and serve food without placing your hands unnecessarily close to the fire. This category includes reusable barbecue utensils, disposable items, fuel-lighting products and tools for different cooking methods. At Discountershop, you can compare barbecue accessories by material, size, temperature resistance and intended use.

Which barbecue utensils do you need?

The right choice depends on what you are cooking and the type of barbecue you use. Long barbecue tongs keep your hands farther away from the cooking grate. A wide spatula supports burgers, fish and vegetables when turning them. Grill baskets and racks prevent smaller ingredients from falling between the grate bars.

Common BBQ cooking accessories include:

• barbecue and meat tongs;

• grill spatulas and burger turners;

• barbecue forks and meat hooks;

• grill baskets and fish racks;

• grill plates and additional cooking racks;

• barbecue skewers;

• aluminium trays and drip pans;

• barbecue foil and serving trays;

• heat-resistant gloves;

• manual BBQ air blowers;

• charcoal and briquette starters.

If you need several utensils at once, view Barbecue Tool Sets containing products such as tongs, a spatula and a fork. Check which pieces are included and whether their length and materials are suitable for your barbecue.

Reusable or disposable BBQ accessories?

Reusable barbecue utensils are designed to be cleaned and used again. Examples include metal tongs, spatulas, skewers, grill baskets and cooking racks. Check whether each product is dishwasher-safe or must be washed by hand.

Disposable barbecue products may be intended for one use or limited use, depending on the product information. Examples include:

• aluminium grill trays;

• disposable drip pans;

• aluminium foil;

• paper plates and napkins;

• wooden or bamboo skewers;

• disposable cutlery;

• food containers for preparation and serving.

Do not reuse an item when its manufacturer specifies single use. Thin aluminium trays may deform, become damaged or retain grease after heating. Only position a tray directly above a flame when the product specifications permit this.

Check whether aluminium foil and trays are suitable for the required temperature, food and cooking method. Acidic or highly salted foods may react with unprotected aluminium, so follow the instructions on the packaging.

Cooking tools for direct and indirect grilling

During direct grilling, the food sits above the heat source. Use tools with sufficient length and keep your hands away from coals, burners and sudden flames. Turn ingredients in a controlled manner. Avoid squeezing food unnecessarily with tongs because juices and fat may drip onto the heat source.

During indirect cooking, the food is positioned beside the direct heat. A drip tray can collect grease and cooking juices. Check it regularly to ensure it does not overflow. A full grease pan may spill and increase the risk of a grease fire.

Use separate tongs or spatulas for raw and cooked food. A utensil that has touched raw meat, poultry or seafood must not touch cooked food until it has been washed thoroughly. Never return cooked food to the plate that previously held it raw.

Lighting charcoal with the right tools

For a charcoal barbecue, choose suitable Charcoal based on the appliance and cooking method. Never use petrol, methylated spirits or another highly flammable liquid.

A Chimney Starter lets you light charcoal or briquettes together before distributing them across the charcoal grate. Wear heat-resistant barbecue gloves and pour the glowing fuel slowly. Only place a hot chimney starter in the safe location specified by its manufacturer.

This category may also contain a BBQ gun or manual charcoal air blower. This tool directs air towards smouldering charcoal to locally increase the oxygen supply. It is not a toy or a firearm.

Use a BBQ air blower as follows:

1. Confirm that the product is undamaged and assembled correctly.

2. Direct the nozzle only towards the charcoal.

3. Keep your face, hair and clothing out of the airflow.

4. Begin slowly and increase the airflow gradually.

5. Stop if sparks, ash or glowing fragments begin spreading.

6. Never point the blower at people, animals, gas lines or combustible objects.

7. Do not allow children to use it.

8. Do not place it against a hot grate or burning coals.

A strong airflow can blow ash and sparks out of the barbecue. Do not use the product in strong wind or when combustible objects cannot be cleared from the surrounding area.

Cooking tools for gas barbecues

Check which Gas Bottles and connections the barbecue manufacturer permits. Keep the gas cylinder upright and follow the instructions for positioning, connecting and disconnecting it. Do not use tools to force a connection tighter unless the manual specifically requires them.

Gas Accessories may include approved hoses, pressure regulators and connecting parts. Every component must match the gas type, cylinder and barbecue. Inspect hoses for cracks, drying and damage. Never test a gas connection with an open flame.

Keep tongs, spatulas and aluminium trays away from control knobs and gas hoses. A utensil resting against a hot side panel may conduct heat towards its handle.

View all BBQ cooking tools

Checking materials and temperature resistance

Stainless-steel BBQ tools are often suitable for high temperatures, but handles made from plastic, wood or silicone have their own temperature limits. “Heat resistant” does not mean a product can remain indefinitely in flames or on a hot grate.

Before use, check:

• maximum operating temperature;

• suitability for direct food contact;

• length and grip of the handle;

• loose screws or connections;

• deformation, corrosion or sharp edges;

• damage to coatings or silicone components;

• cleaning and storage instructions.

Do not use damaged cooking utensils when components could detach or enter the food.

Cleaning and storing BBQ tools

Remove food residue using a tool suited to the cooking-grate material. View Barbecue Brushes for models intended for different grill surfaces. Inspect a brush before and after use for loose components or bristles, and check the grate before placing food on it again.

For grease, soot and burnt-on deposits, compare suitable Barbecue Cleaners. Only use a product intended for stainless steel, enamel, cast iron or the relevant coating. Do not leave cleaning-product residue on food-contact surfaces.

Allow utensils to dry completely before storage. The Household category contains additional products for cleaning and organizing your equipment. For products used to arrange your kitchen, garden or outdoor dining space, you can also visit Home & Living.

Compare BBQ cooking tools at Discountershop and choose products suited to your barbecue, recipes and preferred way of preparing, cooking and serving food.

Choose your barbecue accessories

Watch our BBQ cooking tools on YouTube

Visit our YouTube channel for product videos showing barbecue tongs, grill baskets, aluminium trays, chimney starters and BBQ air blowers. See the dimensions, controls and components of each product. Use the videos alongside the manual and always review the safety and product information before use.

Frequently asked questions about BBQ cooking tools

1. How long should barbecue tongs be?

The tongs should create sufficient distance between your hand and the heat source without reducing your control of the food. Choose the length according to the depth and layout of your barbecue.

2. Can you place an aluminium tray directly on charcoal?

Only when the manufacturer permits it. Thin aluminium may deform or burn through. Do not place a tray directly on glowing coals without explicit product instructions.

3. Why is it useful to have two pairs of barbecue tongs?

Use one pair for raw food and the other for cooked food. This helps prevent cross-contamination. Keep the two pairs clearly separated during cooking.

4. When should you use a grill basket?

A grill basket is useful for smaller pieces of vegetables, fish or other foods that could fall between the grate bars. Confirm that its dimensions and material suit the barbecue.

5. Can silicone BBQ utensils be used on every cooking grate?

Not automatically. Check the maximum temperature of the silicone components. Never leave silicone tools on a hot grate or against an open flame.

6. Can disposable barbecue utensils be reused?

Only when the manufacturer permits reuse. Discard disposable trays and utensils that are deformed, burned or heavily contaminated according to the applicable waste instructions.

7. How do you prevent wooden barbecue skewers from burning?

Follow the product instructions. Some wooden skewers must be soaked in water before use. Keep exposed ends away from direct flames.

8. What is a BBQ air gun used for?

A manual air gun directs additional air towards smouldering charcoal, helping the fire develop. Use a gentle airflow to limit airborne ash and sparks.

9. Can all metal BBQ tools go in the dishwasher?

No. The material, coating, handle and connections determine the cleaning method. Check the product specifications before placing utensils in a dishwasher.

10. Why are barbecue forks not always recommended for meat?

A fork pierces the surface, allowing juices to escape and fat to drip onto the heat source. Tongs support and move the food without puncturing it.

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