Grilling & Outdoor Cooking

Tongs, Spatula, Brush: A Buyer’s Guide to the Best Grill Tools

Nine grill tool sets and single tools from OXO, Weber, Cuisinart, Le Creuset and Kingsford, compared on pieces, materials, care and warranty.

Stainless steel tongs lifting a piece of grilled meat from a grate covered with seared cuts over glowing coals
Tongs lifting a seared piece of meat off the grill.

Watch a restaurant grill cook through a dinner service and you will see the same three tools in their hands all night: long tongs for turning steak, chicken and peppers, a wide spatula for anything that needs a flat lift, and a brush for oil or a glaze. Everything else on the line is extra. At home the rule is the same. A good set of grill tools is a short list of things that grip, lift and baste well, keep your hands away from the heat, and survive the dishwasher.

This guide compares nine grill tool sets and single tools: three-piece sets from OXO, Weber, Cuisinart and Kingsford, a large set with a storage case, a premium five-piece set with a carry case, a pair of long locking tongs and a silicone basting brush. For each we list the model, the pieces, material, handle length, case, dishwasher safety, hanging loops and warranty, from the maker or the Amazon listing, and write “Not stated” where neither gives the figure.

Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for, product specifications and verified buyer reports.

Quick verdict: which grill tools to buy

For most cooks, the OXO Outdoor 3-Piece Grilling Tool Set covers the best grill tools in one box: a stainless turner, scalloped tongs and a silicone tool rest that keeps them off the side table, with OXO’s repair-or-replace guarantee. If you baste, the Weber Precision Grilling Tool Set adds a silicone brush to locking tongs and a beveled spatula, all dishwasher safe with a two-year warranty.

The table compares the five picks that suit the most cooks. All nine are reviewed in full after it.

Five grill tool sets at a glance

What is in each set, what it is made of and how it cleans up, as each maker or Amazon listing states it.

Grill tools What’s included Material & storage Care & warranty Buy on Amazon
Turner, scalloped tongs, tool rest Stainless steel; silicone rest OXO Better Guarantee View on Amazon
Locking tongs, spatula, basting brush Stainless steel; hanging loops Dishwasher safe; 2-year View on Amazon
Spatula, fork, tongs, brushes, skewers and more Stainless tools; storage case Care and warranty not stated View on Amazon
Slotted turner, tongs, fork, brush, case Stainless steel; carry case Dishwasher safe View on Amazon
One pair of 16-inch tongs Brushed stainless; hanging loop Dishwasher safe View on Amazon

Product images from Amazon. Specifications as stated by each maker or Amazon listing; check the listing before you buy.

How this guide differs from our charcoal accessories guide

Our charcoal grill accessories guide covers the whole charcoal kit: chimney starter, thermometers, leather gloves, charcoal baskets, a sear grate and ash tools, plus one pair of tools for food, Weber’s two-piece Precision tongs and spatula. This page is only about the hand tools that touch the food, on any grill, gas, charcoal or pellet. So we do not repeat that two-piece set here. Its three-piece sibling, which adds a basting brush, is pick 2, and the rest of this list adds other makers, a fork, a case and single tools.

Our picks for the best grill tools

The nine picks below run from complete sets to single tools you can add to what you own. Each one says who it suits and one honest reason to skip it.

1. OXO Outdoor 3-Piece Grilling Tool Set – Turner, Tongs and a Place to Rest Them

Best overallOXO Outdoor 3 Piece Grilling Tool Set

OXO’s set is built around the two tools a grill cook actually uses, plus the one thing most sets forget: somewhere to put them down. You get a stainless steel turner, a pair of scalloped tongs and a silicone tool rest. OXO says the rest protects surfaces and has a tong holder for one-handed use, so the tongs you just used on raw chicken do not go straight onto the side table.

The turner has what OXO calls a double-bend design for leverage when lifting, which helps under a burger or a piece of fish that has settled into the grate. The tongs have scalloped heads, a non-slip grip and a built-in bottle opener. OXO describes the set as durable enough for every grill session, whatever you are cooking.

Retailer Scheels and OXO’s product page list the set as dishwasher safe. OXO does not publish the tool lengths. The set is covered by the OXO Better Guarantee: if you have a problem, OXO offers a repair or replacement.

Why we like it

  • Silicone rest with a tong holder
  • Double-bend turner for leverage
  • Scalloped, non-slip tongs
  • Repair-or-replace guarantee

Key specifications

Model 9110100
Pieces 3: turner, tongs, tool rest
Material Stainless steel; silicone rest
Handle length Not stated
Case None
Dishwasher safe Yes (OXO, Scheels)
Hanging loops Not stated
Warranty OXO Better Guarantee (repair or replacement)

Why we recommend it

It suits most home grillers. Tongs and a turner handle steak, chicken, burgers, vegetables and fish, and the tool rest solves a real kitchen problem: keeping used tools clean and off surfaces between turns.

Skip it if you want a basting brush or a fork in the box. You would need to add them separately.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • The two tools you use most
  • Tool rest included
  • Strong guarantee

Cons

  • Lengths not stated
  • No basting brush

Check price on Amazon

2. Weber Precision Grilling Tool Set, 3-Piece – Tongs, Spatula and Silicone Brush

Best with a basting brushWeber® Precision Grilling Tool Set

Weber’s Precision set pairs hands-free locking tongs and a spatula with a full-size silicone basting brush. Weber says the set is designed for precision control and better handling of food. The spatula has a three-sided beveled edge for an easy approach and a precise flip, and the tongs lock closed for one-handed use and compact storage.

All three tools are stainless steel with soft-touch, non-slip handles, and each has a metal loop for hanging on a grill’s tool hooks. The silicone brush suits oil on vegetables before they go on the grate, and a glaze or adobo on chicken in the last minutes of cooking.

The set is dishwasher safe, and the listing gives a two-year limited warranty against defects in material and workmanship. Weber does not publish the length of the tools. The soft-touch handles should not rest on the hot grill.

Why we like it

  • Hands-free locking tongs
  • Three-sided beveled spatula
  • Full-size silicone basting brush
  • Dishwasher safe, two-year warranty

Key specifications

Model 6772
Pieces 3: tongs, spatula, basting brush
Material Stainless steel; silicone brush; soft-touch handles
Handle length Not stated
Case None
Dishwasher safe Yes
Hanging loops Yes (metal loop)
Warranty 2-year limited

Why we recommend it

It suits cooks who baste, sauce or oil food on the grill and want all three tools from one maker, with a clear warranty and dishwasher cleanup.

Skip it if you already own Weber’s two-piece Precision tongs and spatula. Add a brush on its own instead, such as OXO’s below.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Brush included
  • Locking tongs
  • Two-year warranty

Cons

  • Lengths not stated
  • Soft handles must stay off the grate

Check price on Amazon

A hand brushing rows of meat skewers with a bundle of green leaves on an outdoor grill, a pot of sauce beside them
Basting skewers over an open grill.

3. Cuisinart 36-Piece BBQ Tool Set with Case – A Full Kit in One Box

Best set with a caseCuisinart CGS-8036 Grill

Some cooks want every grill tool in one place, ready for the park or a tailgate. Cuisinart’s 36-piece set includes a chef’s spatula, fork, tongs and a basting brush with one replacement silicone head and one replacement mop head, plus a heat-resistant glove, six stainless skewers, eight corn holders, ten burger flags, a saw-tooth grill scraper, a bottle opener, a temperature guide, a recipe book and a storage case.

Cuisinart says the spatula, fork and tongs are durable stainless steel with ergonomic handles. The mop head is the traditional tool for thin barbecue sauces and mops on large cuts; the silicone head is easier to clean after a thick glaze. The saw-tooth scraper has teeth and notches meant to reach into the corners of a grate.

The listing does not say what the case is made of, how long the tools are, whether they are dishwasher safe or what the warranty is. Treat the skewers, corn holders and burger flags as extras: the core of the set is the four main tools.

Why we like it

  • Spatula, fork, tongs and brush in one case
  • Silicone and mop brush heads
  • Six stainless skewers
  • Saw-tooth grate scraper

Key specifications

Model CGS-8036
Pieces 36 (incl. case and guides)
Material Stainless steel spatula, fork and tongs
Handle length Not stated
Case Storage case (material not stated)
Dishwasher safe Not stated
Hanging loops Not stated
Warranty Not stated

Why we recommend it

It suits cooks who grill away from home, or anyone setting up a grill for the first time who wants one box that holds everything, including skewers for shrimp or vegetable kebabs.

Skip it if you only want good tongs and a spatula. Many of the 36 pieces are small extras you may never use.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Everything stores together
  • Two brush heads
  • Skewers included

Cons

  • Care and warranty not stated
  • Lots of filler pieces

Check price on Amazon

4. Le Creuset Outdoor 5-Piece Grilling Tools Set – Brushed Steel and a Carry Case

Best premium setLe Creuset Outdoor 5-Piece Grilling Tools Set

Le Creuset’s outdoor set is four solid tools and a case: a slotted turner, tongs, a two-pronged fork and a basting brush, in what Le Creuset calls a branded store-and-carry case. The tools are stainless steel with a brushed handle, which the listing says is scratch- and rust-resistant.

There are some well-thought details. Slots in the turner let grease drain away, and the turner has a built-in bottle opener. Le Creuset says side ridges on the turner and the tongs are designed to clean most grill grates, so you can scrape a sticky spot without picking up a brush. The tongs open wide on a spring for easy handling of larger pieces.

Le Creuset describes the handles as a generous length to keep hands safe but does not publish a figure. Each has a looped end for hanging on a grill or workstation, and the tools are dishwasher safe. The listing does not state a warranty.

Why we like it

  • Four tools plus a carry case
  • Slotted turner drains grease
  • Grate-cleaning ridges on turner and tongs
  • Dishwasher safe, looped handles

Key specifications

Model ST09301000140005
Pieces 5: turner, tongs, fork, brush, case
Material Stainless steel, brushed handles
Handle length Not stated (“generous length”)
Case Store-and-carry case
Dishwasher safe Yes
Hanging loops Yes (looped handles)
Warranty Not stated on listing

Why we recommend it

It suits cooks who want fewer, better-finished tools that store neatly, and anyone choosing a grill set as a gift. The case keeps four tools together without the filler of a large kit.

Skip it if you want locking tongs. The listing describes a spring mechanism, not a lock.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • All-metal tools
  • Case included
  • Bottle opener and grate ridges

Cons

  • Lengths not stated
  • Tongs do not lock

Check price on Amazon

Long tongs turning kebabs on the grate of a grill with its lid raised
Long tongs turning kebabs on a grill.

5. OXO Good Grips 16-Inch Locking Tongs – Long Reach for One Tool

Best single tongsOXO Good Grips 16-Inch Locking Stainless Steel Tongs

If you buy only one grill tool, make it a long pair of tongs. OXO’s 16-inch locking tongs are brushed stainless steel with scalloped edges that OXO says hold food securely, and soft, non-slip grips with thumb rests. OXO describes them as ideal for grilling and turning large cuts of meat, and for tossing and transferring food.

Sixteen inches is a good working length over a grill: long enough to reach the back of a kettle or the far side of a gas grill without your forearm crossing the heat, short enough to stay precise when turning shrimp or strips of skirt steak. The tongs lock closed for storage, and the listing says they have a hanging loop.

The listing calls them dishwasher safe. The non-slip grips are not metal, so do not leave the tongs resting on the grill.

Why we like it

  • 16-inch reach
  • Scalloped edges grip securely
  • Locking, with a hanging loop
  • Dishwasher safe

Key specifications

Model 39681
Pieces 1 pair of tongs
Material Brushed stainless steel; non-slip grips
Handle length 16 in overall
Case None
Dishwasher safe Yes
Hanging loops Yes
Warranty “Satisfaction Guaranteed” (listing)

Why we recommend it

It suits anyone whose set came with short or flimsy tongs, and cooks who want a second pair so raw and cooked food never share one. A restaurant grill station always has more than one pair on hand.

Skip it if you need a flat lift for fish or burgers. Tongs do not replace a spatula.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Stated 16-inch length
  • Locks closed
  • Dishwasher safe

Cons

  • One tool only
  • Grips should stay off the grate

Check price on Amazon

6. Cuisinart 3-Piece Professional Grill Tool Set – Spatula, Tongs and a Fork

Best set with a forkCuisinart CGS-333 Professional Grill Tool Set (3-Piece)

Cuisinart’s Professional set is the classic barbecue trio: a spatula, tongs and a fork, in stainless steel with rubber grips. Cuisinart calls them the essentials for the perfect barbecue and describes the length as the optimal grilling length. Retailer BBQ Galore lists the spatula and tongs at 16.5 inches.

The fork is the tool to think about. A kitchen rarely uses a fork to turn steak or chicken, because tongs do the job without piercing the meat. A fork earns its place for lifting a whole chicken or a pork shoulder off the grill, steadying a roast while you carve it, or checking that a thick piece has gone tender.

The listing gives a one-year limited warranty. It does not state whether the tools are dishwasher safe or whether they have hanging loops.

Why we like it

  • Spatula, tongs and fork
  • Stainless steel with rubber grips
  • About 16.5 in long (BBQ Galore)
  • One-year limited warranty

Key specifications

Model CGS-333
Pieces 3: spatula, tongs, fork
Material Stainless steel; rubber grips
Handle length 16.5 in spatula and tongs (BBQ Galore)
Case None
Dishwasher safe Not stated
Hanging loops Not stated
Warranty 1-year limited

Why we recommend it

It suits cooks who roast whole birds or large cuts on the grill and want a fork to lift and carve, along with long tongs and a spatula.

Skip it if you mostly grill steak, fajita meat and vegetables. You will reach for the tongs every time and the fork will sit in the drawer.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Long tools
  • Fork for roasts and birds
  • Stated warranty

Cons

  • Dishwasher safety not stated
  • No basting brush

Check price on Amazon

A hand using a wide basting brush on food on a small countertop grill, with skewers of meat and a steel cup beside it
Brushing sauce onto food on a small grill.

7. OXO Outdoor Grilling Basting Brush – Silicone That Holds the Sauce

Best basting brushOXO Outdoor Grilling Basting Brush

A basting brush is the tool most sets get wrong: short, with bristles that shed or burn. OXO’s outdoor brush has high-heat-resistant silicone bristles for basting on or off the grill, and OXO says its patented bristle design holds onto any kind of sauce, from thin oil to a thick glaze.

The brush head is angled, which OXO says keeps surfaces clean between uses when you set it down, and the long handle keeps your hand away from the heat. That matters when you glaze chicken thighs or brush a chile-and-lime butter on corn over a live fire.

The listing does not give the length, a heat rating, dishwasher safety or a warranty. Silicone does not hold on to old sauce the way natural bristles do, which makes cleanup simpler.

Why we like it

  • High-heat silicone bristles
  • Bristle design holds sauce (OXO)
  • Angled head stays off the counter
  • Long handle

Key specifications

Model 9110300
Pieces 1 basting brush
Material Silicone bristles
Handle length Not stated (“long handle”)
Case None
Dishwasher safe Not stated
Hanging loops Not stated
Warranty Not stated on listing

Why we recommend it

It suits anyone whose set has tongs and a spatula but no brush, or a brush too short to use over a fire. It is the easiest way to oil vegetables and nopales before grilling and to glaze meat at the end.

Skip it if your set already includes a silicone brush, as the Weber Precision and Kingsford sets do.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Holds sauce well
  • No shedding bristles
  • Long reach

Cons

  • One tool only
  • Care and warranty not stated

Check price on Amazon

8. Weber 3-Piece BBQ Tool Set with Cold-Clean Brush – Cook and Clean in One Set

Best with a grill brushWeber® 3-Piece BBQ Tool Set

This Weber set takes a different approach from the Precision line: a spatula and locking tongs for cooking, and a 12-inch nylon grill brush for cleaning. The listing says the stainless steel tools hold up to high heat, the handles have a comfortable grip and each has a hanging loop at the base.

The brush is for cold cleaning only. Weber says the nylon bristles clean without shedding, and nylon melts on a hot grate, so brush the grates before you light the grill, not after. Our gas grill brush guide explains the trade-offs between nylon, coil and scraper cleaners.

Retailers Abt and Town Appliance list all three tools as dishwasher safe. Weber does not state the tool lengths or a warranty on the listing.

Why we like it

  • Spatula and locking tongs
  • 12-inch nylon brush that does not shed (Weber)
  • Hanging loops on every handle
  • Dishwasher safe (Abt)

Key specifications

Model 3401327
Pieces 3: spatula, tongs, grill brush
Material Stainless steel; nylon bristles
Handle length Not stated (12-in brush)
Case None
Dishwasher safe Yes (Abt, Town Appliance)
Hanging loops Yes
Warranty Not stated on listing

Why we recommend it

It suits new grill owners who want the cooking tools and a cleaning brush with no wire bristles in one purchase.

Skip it if you like to clean grates while they are hot. Nylon is a cold-grate tool.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Cooking and cleaning in one set
  • No wire bristles
  • Hanging loops

Cons

  • Brush only for cold grates
  • Warranty not stated

Check price on Amazon

9. Kingsford 3-Piece Stainless BBQ Tool Set – The Basics, Dishwasher Safe

Best basic setKingsford 3-Piece Rust-Resistant Stainless Steel BBQ Tool Set

Kingsford’s set covers the three jobs with no extras: a stainless spatula with a built-in bottle opener, a pair of metal tongs with non-slip rubber grips, and a silicone basting brush. Kingsford says the grips stay secure even when your hands are coated in grease, sauce or oil.

The listing describes all three tools as rust-resistant stainless steel suited to frequent outdoor use, and says the silicone brush applies sauces, glazes and marinades without bristles fraying or shedding. It is a sensible starter set for a first grill or a camp box.

All three tools are dishwasher safe, according to the listing. Kingsford does not state the lengths, whether the tools have hanging loops, or a warranty; the listing only directs questions to the contact details on the package.

Why we like it

  • Spatula, tongs and silicone brush
  • Non-slip grips on the tongs
  • Rust-resistant stainless
  • Dishwasher safe

Key specifications

Model BB15841
Pieces 3: spatula, tongs, basting brush
Material Stainless steel; silicone brush; rubber grips
Handle length Not stated
Case None
Dishwasher safe Yes
Hanging loops Not stated
Warranty Not stated

Why we recommend it

It suits a first grill, a second set for the camp box, or a cook who wants the three basic tools and nothing to store beyond them.

Skip it if you want a stated warranty or tool lengths. Weber and OXO publish more about their sets.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Three useful tools
  • Brush included
  • Dishwasher safe

Cons

  • No stated warranty
  • Lengths not stated

Check price on Amazon

How to choose grill tools that last

Buy for what you cook, not for the piece count. These five points matter more than the number on the box.

1. Tongs first, then a spatula

Tongs do most of the work on a grill: steak, chicken, sausages, peppers, onions, corn. Look for scalloped or flat-edged heads that grip without tearing and a lock for storage. Add a wide spatula for burgers and fish. For fish fillets cooked in a pan, a thin flexible turner works better; see our fish spatula guide.

Metal tongs reaching for charred tomatoes and squash slices on a grill grate
Tongs turning tomatoes and squash on the grate.

2. Length you can work with

Long tools keep your forearm out of the heat, but very long ones are clumsy for small food. Around 16 inches, the length OXO states for its tongs, reaches across most kettles and gas grills. Many makers do not publish lengths, so check the listing photos against your hand.

3. All-metal or soft grips

All-stainless tools such as Le Creuset’s can rest near the heat but get warm; rubber or soft-touch grips stay comfortable but must never sit on the grate. Neither is wrong, but keep a tool rest or a hook on the grill so neither ends up on the hot lid.

4. Dishwasher safe and hanging loops

Tools that touch raw meat should be easy to wash. Weber, OXO, Le Creuset and Kingsford say their sets are dishwasher safe; Cuisinart does not say for the two sets here. Hanging loops let tools live on the grill’s side hooks instead of the side table.

5. A case only if you travel

Storage cases suit tailgates, camping and anyone without a drawer near the grill. At home, a hook or a utensil crock does the same job. If you grill on a flat top, our outdoor griddle accessories guide covers griddle tool kits.

How we picked these nine grill tools

We started with what a restaurant grill station keeps within reach, tongs, a spatula and a brush, and looked for sets from established makers (OXO, Weber, Cuisinart, Le Creuset, Kingsford) that cover them well, plus single tools worth adding. We kept to products sold on Amazon in the United States and in stock when we checked, skipped unbranded multi-piece kits, and left out sets already reviewed in our charcoal accessories guide. Specifications come from each brand’s Amazon listing, and where the listing was silent, from a named retailer (Scheels, Abt, Town Appliance, BBQ Galore); we wrote “Not stated” where we found nothing. We have not used these tools for this guide, and we did not consult outside equipment reviews, such as Serious Eats or Wirecutter, for it.

Grill tool questions, answered

What grill tools do I actually need?

Long locking tongs, a wide spatula and a basting brush. Add a grill brush for cleaning, a thermometer for doneness, and gloves for hot metal; our charcoal accessories guide covers those.

What is the best brand of grill tools?

No single brand wins every tool. OXO and Weber publish the clearest details here, including dishwasher safety and a guarantee or two-year warranty. Le Creuset makes the most finished all-metal set on this list, and Cuisinart offers the most pieces.

Are big grill tool sets worth it?

Only if you will use the extras. In a 36-piece set, the spatula, fork, tongs and brush do most of the work; skewers and corn holders are useful, burger flags rarely. A good three-piece set plus a second pair of tongs covers most cooking.

Do I need a grill fork?

Not for everyday grilling. Tongs turn meat without piercing it. A fork is handy for lifting a whole chicken or a roast and holding it while you carve.

Can grill tools go in the dishwasher?

Many can. Weber’s Precision set, OXO’s tongs, Le Creuset’s set and Kingsford’s set are listed as dishwasher safe. Where the maker does not say, wash by hand.

Our final pick for grill tools

Start with the OXO Outdoor 3-Piece Grilling Tool Set for tongs, a turner and a clean place to rest them, or the Weber Precision three-piece set if you baste. Add a second pair of long tongs so raw and cooked food never share one. If you are still choosing the grill itself, start with our guides to the best gas grill and the best charcoal grill.

Just need a better flipper? See our guide to the best grill spatulas.

Just need one good pair of tongs? See our guide to the best grill tongs.

Own a Weber? See our guide to the best Weber grill accessories.

Related guide: Best gifts for grillers.

Related guide: Best grill wok.

Related guide: Best beer can chicken stand.

Tongs are the tool that moves skirt steak, peppers and onions onto a fajita skillet; read how to eat fajitas for what happens next. Or let us do the grilling: see the menu or call to order.

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