It may be hard to believe that grilling season is already upon us. Depending on where you live, spring may have already sprung, bringing fragrantly blooming flowers, warm, sunshiny breezes, and that familiar yearning for a delicious char-grilled meal. Whether you’re a fan of tenderly grilled seafood, peppery carne asada, or Shawarma-Style Chicken and Mushroom Kebabs, there’s something special about a dish prepared over an open flame. 

This is the time of year we crack open the lids of our favorite grills, wipe away the wintertime dust, and prepare to indulge in our favorite warm-weather foods. With this yearly tradition often comes the realization that we may require a few grill accessory updates. Thankfully, great grilling tools don’t have to cost an arm and a leg. These are some of our favorite grilling accessories for less than $30.

Best Grilling Tools Under $30

• BBQ-Aid Grill Brush and Scraper, $25, originally $45
• Aizoam Grill Basket, $23, originally $30
• Alpha Grillers Meat Thermometer, $14, originally $20
• Cuisinart Burger Press, $20
• OXO Basting Pot and Brush, $28
• Daily Kisn Grill Tongs, $7, originally $8
• Weber Grill Spatula, $10, originally $22
• Kingsford Charcoal Chimney Starter, $15, originally $16
• Lanney Stainless Steel Kabob Skewers, $13, originally $16
• Grill Gourmet Cedar Grilling Planks, $17, originally $25
• Uineko Spray Bottles, $9
• Mairico Brisket Carving Knife, $20

BBQ-Aid Grill Brush and Scraper

A good-quality, heavy-duty grill brush is a must, and this model from BBQ-Aid is the perfect choice for any grill cook. With its generous 17-inch handle length, you can clean your grill without dirtying your kitchen apron. Its stainless steel bristles will scrub away any stubborn residue hanging on from last year and work to keep your grill sparkling clean all season long. We especially love the built-in scraper for those incredibly stuck-on messes.

Aizoam Grill Basket

We love the blackened lines that come with foods cooked directly over hot grill grates, but not every ingredient can be cooked this way. Smaller ingredients can fall through the grates, fragile fish can be too delicate for a direct sear, or perhaps you’re just looking for a slight toasting on something, not a char. In these instances, we love a grill basket.

Ideal for cooking just about anything, this generously sized basket is designed to contain your ingredients while perfectly cooking them over the flames. Made from food-grade stainless steel and designed with a detachable, anti-slip handle, this grill basket is a must for summertime sides.

Alpha Grillers Meat Thermometer

Of course, many of us have our own unique tricks for guessing a meat’s temperature, but even the most experienced chef knows the only way to be sure is with a good meat thermometer. Whether you’re cooking beef, chicken, pork, lamb, or fish, every meat has a required temperature for food safety and optimal flavor, and this thermometer will save you the guesswork.

With its easy-to-read display and quick, 2-3 second response time, this thermometer will be your best friend this grilling season, no matter what’s on the menu. 

Cuisinart Burger Press

The versatility of a good grill press is vast, and this Cuisinart burger press is one of our favorites. Designed for many grilling tasks, this press does so much more than just ensure your burgers cook evenly. Press everything from spatchcocked chicken to grilled cheese sandwiches in addition to creating your own take on the wildly popular smash burger. Crafted from heavy-duty cast iron, this press is designed to last for years of endless grilling possibilities.

OXO Basting Pot and Brush

Arguably, the sauces we slather on our meats are even more important than the meats we grill. Whether it’s a traditional barbecue sauce, Carolina mustard sauce, or an herbaceous chimichurri, grilled meats are better when basted and topped with a spicy-sweet accompaniment. This basting pot and brush set from OXO makes saucing simple. With its 18-ounce stainless steel pot, tight-fitting lid, silicone basting brush, and nonslip base, this set is the ideal tool for saucing your favorite grilled dishes.

Daily Kisn Grill Tongs

A good set of tongs is every cook’s best friend for cooking just about anything, especially when the dish is being prepared on the grill. With all the reaching, flipping, grabbing, and adjusting that grill cooking requires, it’s essential to have a high-quality set.

This set from Daily Kisn has an extra-long, 17-inch handle that allows you to grill your favorite foods while keeping your hands and arms away from the heat. Crafted from premium stainless steel with anti-slip strips for a controlled grip, these high-quality tongs are even dishwasher safe.

Weber Grill Spatula

This handy grill spatula from Weber makes it easy to flip burgers, steaks, and even fragile fish filets. Its three-sided beveled edge allows you to lift and move foods with precision from any angle. We love its versatile size, which works for just about anything you cook over the flames, stainless steel construction, comfortable handle, and high-quality durability. 

Kingsford Charcoal Chimney Starter

We’re not here to settle the debate over whether charcoal or gas grills are better, but if you do prefer a charcoal grill, this chimney starter from Kingsford is a great way to get your grill going. As much as we love the added character a charcoal grill can give a dish, getting those coals started can be tricky, but this starter completely solves that problem.

Built with a heat shield and stay-cool handle, this charcoal chimney starter will get your coals going in no time and keep you out of harm’s way.

Lanney Stainless Steel Kabob Skewers

Kabobs are one of everyone’s favorite grilled foods. We love their simplicity, versatility, and how easy they are to eat at a backyard barbecue. The one downside to kabobs can be the skewers themselves. Wooden skewers can easily burn, falling apart and ruining your meal. Enter these reusable stainless steel skewers from Lanney. 

Available in three sizes, these stainless steel skewers are rust-proof and heat-resistant. Their flat blade and angled tip keep your kabob ingredients in place as you eat. When the party’s over, simply toss them in the dishwasher for easy cleanup.

Grill Gourmet Cedar Grilling Planks

If you’ve never grilled with cedar planks, this season is a great time to start. When food like salmon or chicken are grilled on top of these planks, they develop deliciously complex, deep cedar notes that just taste like summertime. One Amazon reviewer raves, “My husband does not like fish but enjoys salmon marinaded and grilled on these planks. They add a really wonderful extra flavor to the fish! These are a great buy.”

This pack from Grill Gourmet includes 12 single-use planks that are sourced and made in the USA. 

Uineko Spray Bottles

Grilling or smoking meats can be a lengthy process, which can run the risk of the meat becoming dry. Unless you’re a lifelong griller (or at least a fan of BBQ Pitmasters), you may not have realized that this humble household tool can also be used in grilling. A heavy-duty spray bottle deserves a spot in your outdoor kitchen. Depending on what you’re cooking, use these bottles to spritz your meat with liquid such as stock, beer, or vinegar to add flavor and prevent your meat from drying out. 

Mairico Brisket Carving Knife

Expensive knives are wonderful tools to have, but a great carving knife doesn’t have to set you back hundreds of dollars. No matter what you’re grilling, this brisket carving knife from Mairico is great for carving the finished product.

One reviewer says, “The knife is the best! Comfortable handle, long blade, with effortless, precise cuts. Quality construction, durable edge (no sharpening needed with over five uses), cleans up well. A blunt nose makes this knife safe and effective. It can cut large, thin slices, trim fat, and carve around bone with ease. I highly recommend this knife.”