My Dad Has Grilled for 40+ Years — Shop the Under-$25 Gadgets He Loves for Summer BBQs

Grilling season is when my dad gets to show off his cooking skills, and with summer around the corner, he has already gotten plenty of use out of his trusty grill for weekend barbecues and weeknight dinners. From cedar-plank salmon and grilled veggie kebabs to classic favorites like hamburgers and hot dogs, my dad is a master of outdoor cooking.

While I don’t have any grilling background to pull from, I decided to tap my dad for the wallet-friendly grilling essentials he relies on. His picks include a digital meat thermometer, copper grill mats, and prep and serve trays — just to name a few. So, without further ado, here are his favorite grilling tools, all of which are under $25 at Amazon.

Best Dad-Approved Grilling Tools Under $25 at Amazon

• Wildwood Grilling Cedar Planks, $16, originally $18
• Lanney Stainless Steel Kabob Skewers, $13
• Eddeas Grilling Tongs, $14
• Cuisinel Cast Iron Round Pan, $23, originally $25
• Cuisinart Grilling Prep and Serve Trays, $22, originally $30
• Sensarte Nonstick Square Grill Pan, $20, originally $30
• Ubeesize Copper Grill Mats, $11, originally $14
• Grillart Wire and Helix Grill Brush, $14, originally $20
• Alpha Grillers Digital Meat Thermometer, $13, originally $16
• Lodge Cast Iron Pot and Silicone Basting Brush Set, $20
• Alpha Grillers Meat Shredder Claws, $10, originally $15

Wildwood Grilling Cedar Planks

$18

$16 at Amazon

Whenever my dad is grilling salmon, he relies on these bestselling cedar planks from Wildwood Grilling. Using cedar planks adds a subtle, smoky flavor to salmon, pork, vegetables, or any other food being grilled for restaurant-quality results. These Western Red Cedar Planks are easy to use — just place them directly on the grill grates and cook the salmon on top of the planks.

Lanney Stainless Steel Kabob Skewers

$13 at Amazon

If my dad isn’t grilling up hamburgers and hot dogs, chances are that kebabs are on the menu. He prefers using reusable metal kebab skewers, like these heat- and corrosion-resistant ones. The set includes ten 17 inch-long skewers and two 14 inch-long bonus skewers along with a convenient storage pouch to keep them organized together.

Eddeas Grilling Tongs

$14 at Amazon

A reliable pair of grilling tongs is an outdoor cooking essential, and my dad keeps both long and short options on hand. This durable stainless steel set from Eddeas includes one extra long tong that keeps hands away from hot grilling surfaces, as well as a smaller 12-inch tong. Both have heat-resistant, non-slip silicone grips with thumb rests.

Cuisinel Cast Iron 10.5-Inch Round Pan

$25

$23 at Amazon

Occasionally, my dad will break out a circular cast-iron pan for grilling a homemade pizza — one of my favorite dishes of his. This durable 10.5-inch skillet can do more than just pizza, though. It can also be used for cooking tortillas, frying bacon, and whipping up crepes.

Cuisinart Grilling Prep and Serve Trays

$30

$22 at Amazon

My dad says prep and serve trays, like this set from Cuisinart, are a must-have. The best-selling duo comes in three sizes — small, medium, and large — and the medium size is currently on sale for $22. The red tray is for prepping and transporting raw meat, while the black is for fully cooked food, avoiding any cross-contamination.

Sensarte Nonstick Square Grill Pan

$30

$20 at Amazon

On rainy days, my dad uses this nonstick cookware from Sensarte, currently on sale for $20. The easy-to-use grill pan is the best way to achieve that straight-from-the-grill taste along with grill marks on steaks, burgers, corn on the cob, and other dishes.

Ubeesize Copper Grill Mats

$14

$11 at Amazon

My dad has dubbed these copper grill mats “a game-changer.” The affordable grilling accessory prevents food from sticking to the grill, helps distribute heat evenly, and reduces the risk of potentially hazardous grill flare-ups. This pack comes with six reusable, dishwasher-safe mats for under $2 apiece.

Grillart Wire and Helix Grill Brush

$20

$14 at Amazon

There are numerous grill brushes on the market, but my dad prefers this wire and helix brush from Grillart. Bristles from other grill brushes can fall through the grill surface, so this two-in-one option is a safer alternative. Both the wire and helix sides clean stubborn stains quickly and effectively.

Alpha Grillers Digital Meat Thermometer

$16

$13 at Amazon

As much as my dad loves his high-tech wireless meat thermometer, he also uses this more affordable alternative that’s just as effective. The gadget shows an accurate reading of meat’s temperature in just two to three seconds, displayed on a backlit LED screen. The handy tool is also waterproof and magnetic.

Lodge Cast Iron Pot and Silicone Basting Brush Set

$20 at Amazon

A basting brush is a grilling staple for evenly coating whatever you might be cooking, but my dad makes matters even easier with this sauce pot and basting brush set. The cast iron basting pot can hold up to 15 ounces of sauce and has a practical side handle. The silicone brush serves as a lid, and the brush head can easily be removed for cleaning.

Alpha Grillers Meat Shredder Claws

$15

$10 at Amazon

While they look daunting, my dad says meat claws make grilling way easier. He uses the multipurpose tool for lifting heavier meat off the grill and as a steady handle for carving, also helping to prevent injury. The versatile claws can also be used to shred chicken or pulled pork easily.