8 best barbecue tools to give your outdoor chef this Father’s Day

If your dad doesn’t love to fish or drink six beers with dinner, most Father’s Day gift lists are irrelevant. But there is one thing nearly all dads do: Grill meat outdoors. Is it really a summer holiday if the big guy isn’t surrounded by smoke and flames? In honor of your steak searer, burger burner and dog deliverer, KSL Classifieds has a list of the best barbecue tools.

Gear up for the summer barbecue season with the best grilling tools.

1. Cleaning brush

Traditional wire brushes have gotten a bad rap in recent years, due to the less-than-appetizing possibility of individual pieces breaking off and getting into your food. Instead, get dad a bristle-free version such as the Kona brush. The barbecue grill cleaner brush is made of mesh like, circular wires. Just get the grill hot, dip the brush in some water to create some steam cleaning action and get scrubbing. It’s compatible with all grills, with the exception of portable small barbecue grills. It even comes with a 10-year manufacturer’s limited warranty, so you won’t look like the cheap kid.

2. Long-handled cooking tools

Working over those flames is hot and dangerous work. Protect your dad’s delicate arm hairs with some extra long grill tongs and a multifunctional burger spatula. Look for stainless steel tips that can handle the high heat without warping or melting. If they’re dishwasher safe, you get bonus favorite child points.

Whether its a secret sauce or something out of a bottle, this is no time to skimp.

3. Basting brush

The most crucial part of grill duty: basting, basting, basting. You want that sauce dripping! A long-handled basting brush lets your outdoor chef get close to every part of the grill without blistering any fingers. Don’t be surprised when he mumbles a modified “Karate Kid” mantra: Brush on, brush on, brush on, brush on.

4. Meat thermometer

Perfect dad’s well-meaning grilling game with a meat thermometer. No need to keep jabbing the chops, guessing if they look done. Or, gasp, cutting into a tender steak to see if it’s the right color. Instead, he can plunge a thermometer into the grub to see if it’s just right. Charcoal burgers, be gone!

Search meat thermometers on KSL Classifieds → 

A meat thermometer gets it just right.

5. Grill basket

If your dad does like fishing, and actually catches something on occasion, make it easier for him to cook it with a grill basket. (It works well for roasting veggies, too.) Simply toss the fish into the flat basket, set it on the grill and relax. No scraping tiny pieces off the grates when it’s flipped, or watching the best morsels slip between them. This is the one that won’t get away.

Shop grill baskets on KSL → 

6. Punny apron

King of the Grill. Licensed to grill. The Grillfather. Whatever phrase is most befitting your BBQ chef, put in on an apron. Choose a heavy chef apron — you don’t want barbecue sauce leaking through onto those cargo shorts. Use your printer to make an iron on transfer. If you have young kids, have them add a handprint to personalize it even more.

7. Grill cover

Yes, a grill is made to be outside. But that doesn’t mean it couldn’t use a little protection from the elements — and birds. Buy a barbecue cover to keep it clear of dust, pollen, hard water spots and other unwanted elements. 

Can you improve on grilled meat? Try a smoker.

8. Beyond the grill

If the barbecue is looking a little worse for wear, get dad a new grill for Father’s Day. Or, up his barbecue tool set with a smoker or a dutch oven. Tell him it’s best to alternate your smokey meat consumption, just to keep your diet balanced.

Find grills on KSL Classifieds →

KSL Classifieds can help you host the best backyard barbecues all summer long. Shop grills, furniture and outdoor games before hosting your next family gathering or neighborhood party.