10 Grilling Tools Every Outdoor Cook Needs Slideshow

The coals are becoming ashy, the marinades are marinating and the barbecue sauce is perfect. You have made plenty of ice, the cooler is full of cold drinks, and guests have started to arrive — the time to grill is near. Everything is in its place and the only things you need to make this backyard barbecue flawless are the correct tools. We have rounded up a few essential tools that will help you become master of the grill.

After safety is taken care of, it's time to grill. To get the char just right, include some of these tools in your barbecue toolkit and you will be set to go

A marinade brush is a must for your barbecue toolkit. With this tool, you can easily brush on barbecue sauce or a spicy marinade evenly to meats and vegetables. When brushing on raw meat, make sure to clean it thoroughly afterwards before touching ready-to-eat food.
 

For 25 Meat and Vegetable Marinade Ideas to Spice Up Summer, click here.

Large spatulas are best for flipping meat. Make sure you have a heat-proof version so that plastic doesn't melt over the hot grill as you flip and turn.
 

For 10 Ways You've Been Cooking Backyard Burgers All Wrong, click here.

Long tongs allow you to reach safely over the hot grill to grab corn or hot dogs without burning your arms. Keep some long barbecue tongs handy by the grill — and you can always wear an oven mitt just in case to keep your hands extra safe.

For The Rib Bible: Everything You Need to Know to Make the Perfect Ribs, click here.

A grill brush is essential for keeping the grill grate clean and free from food particles or residue from raw meat. Before you get grilling, brush the grill grate clean and oil it to make sure the food doesn't stick.

For the 6 Ways You've Been Grilling Your Chicken All Wrong, click here.

If you're cooking meat, you need to make sure that it is cooked to the proper internal temperature. A meat thermometer can help you safely do this every time. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat and make sure it reaches the desired temperature.

For 19 Rookie Grilling Mistakes and How to Avoid Them, click here.

A big tri-tip or brisket can sometimes be hard to move on or off the grill. Using a grilling fork, you can easily transport the meat from grill to plate without the risk of it falling. You can also flip chops easily and quickly using a fork.
 

To read You've Been Grilling Steak All Wrong: Here's the Right Way, click here.

Sharp knives are essential in your toolkit. Keep these handy to slice meat, making sure to cut against the grain, for the best texture. Let meat rest for 15 minutes before slicing to let the juices settle.
 

For the 9 Things You Should Never Do When Grilling, click here.

Kebabs are a great summer barbecue item. They are quick to prepare and are easy to grill. For best results, invest in stainless-steel skewers instead of using wooden skewers. The stainless-steel skewers are much sturdier and won't burn. They do get hot, so just make sure to pick them up with some tongs or an oven mitt.
 

For 21 Essential Backyard Barbecue Classics, click here.

Whether you are cooking with wine or simply drinking it while you are barbecuing, a sleek and functional wine/bottle opener is essential.

For 15 Essential Barbecue Ingredients, click here.

A grilling mat is a cool tool to help keep food from sticking to the grill grate. This works best for delicate items like fish or thin vegetables. It still allows for the smoky flavor and grill taste without the messy cleanup or risk of foods falling apart. This one from Cookina is great!
 

For The Complete Guide to Grilling Your Favorite Kinds of Fish and Shellfish, click here.