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What do you get for the grill master who has everything? Well, it turns out there are still plenty of great gifts for grillers, whether it's a set of shiny new tools, a cookbook on smoking meat, or a DIY barbecue sauce kit.
Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift for an experienced grill master or a fun grilling gift for Dad, here are the best grilling gifts.
Best Meat Thermometer: Meater Plus With Bluetooth Repeater
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Courtesy of Amazon
Dual temperature sensors (internal and external)
Intuitive app
Long range
Wireless
Not waterproof
A meat thermometer is a necessary tool for any griller or smoker, and this small but mighty wireless version will please both tech nerds and minimalists. A small stainless steel probe syncs with Meater’s free app to alert the user when the ideal temperature is reached, but it also estimates cook time, tracks the ambient temperature of the grill or smoker, and keeps a detailed log of every cook. A small wooden case works as the charger as well as a Bluetooth signal repeater to help extend the wireless range.
Our tester said the app was very easy to use and loved that it tracked the cook and that the results could be saved for future use. Better yet, our reviewer found it to be accurate in all of her temperature tests and said because it makes grilling "nearly foolproof," the price tag is totally justified.
Batteries: 1 AAA (included) | Range: 165 feet | Dimensions: 1.46 x 1.1 x 6.18 inches
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The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie
"A truly wireless thermometer, the Meater Plus smart wireless meat thermometer makes cooking nearly foolproof, and it’s easy to use, too." — Donna Currie, Product Tester
Best Sign: GoodVibesMetal Personalized BBQ Grill Sign
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Courtesy of Etsy
Custom colors and phrases
Multiple sizes available
Resistant to rust
Mounting screws cost extra
For the person who's always tending the grill at summer gatherings, you can't go wrong with this personalized grill sign. Each one is handmade from powder-coated steel, and the design features a crossed spatula and meat fork. The sign can be personalized with your recipient's name and a phrase of your choice, and you can even choose from more than a dozen fun colors. With this sign on the wall, everyone will know who rules the grill!
Material: 14-gauge American steel and powder coat | Size: Varies (14 to 42 inches)
Best Tools: Cuisinart Deluxe Silver Grill Set (20-Piece)
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Sturdy stainless steel
Carrying case
Long handles
Tongs are a bit too flexible
Grilling utensils get a lot of wear and tear. So whether you're shopping for someone who just got their first grill or an experienced grill master who could use an upgrade, this 20-piece grilling tool set from Cuisinart is a solid bet. Everything—including corn holders, a grill brush, and a digital temperature fork—is packaged in an aluminum carrying case for easy gifting.
Includes: Chef’s spatula, grill tongs, digital temperature fork, silicone basting brush, four pairs of corn holders, five skewers, cleaning brush with extra brush head, aluminum carrying case
Best Gloves: Mark & Graham Leather and Suede BBQ Gloves
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Courtesy of Mark & Graham
Available in black or brown
Monogram option
Designed to keep hands cool
Monogrammed items not eligible for returns
There's no better way to protect your hands while grilling than with these beautiful gloves. They're crafted from leather and suede, delivering unbeatable pliability, and they're lined with a cotton blend that will keep your hands from getting too sweaty. The best part? You can have the leather laser engraved with your recipient's initial for an extra-special touch.
Materials: Leather, suede, cotton, poly fleece blend | Dimensions: 13.75 x 6.5 inches
Best Rubs: Kansas City BBQ Dry Rub Variety Pack
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Amazon
The secret isn't always in the sauce; sometimes it's in the rub—especially if you're cooking on the grill. This sampler pack features four amazing rubs from four distinctly different but equally amazing Kansas City barbecue joints (Joe’s, Arthur Bryant’s, Gates, and Jack Stack) any griller will appreciate. Sweet, spicy, and somewhere in between, this collection will spice up a variety of grilled meat and veggies.
Includes: Arthur Bryant's Meat & Rib Rub, Kansas City's Cowtown Sweet Spot BBQ Rub, Jack Stack Barbecue KC Steak Rub, Gates Original Classic Rub
Best Outdoor Speaker: Bose SoundLink Color Bluetooth Speaker II
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Amazon
Multiple colors available
Water-resistant
Built-in microphone for calls
Batteries may require resets
This waterproof Bluetooth speaker is a great gift for anyone who likes to spend time around the grill. The rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides up to eight hours of use, and it charges on an included micro USB cord. Like other Bose devices, this connects to the brand's app, and it can even be used for hands-free calling—especially handy when you're cooking with fire! In addition to both black and white options, it's available in Aquatic Blue and Yellow Citrus.
Connectivity: Bluetooth, micro-B USB | Battery Life: 8 hours | Dimensions: 2.19 x 5 x 5.16 inches
Best Cookbook: Project Smoke
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Courtesy of Walmart
100 recipes
Step-by-step guides
Easy-to-read layout
Sometimes light on details
Smoking isn't just a fun weekend activity—it's a way of life. If you're shopping for someone who's recently gotten into smoking meat, "Project Smoke" is sure to be a welcome gift. This cookbook by Steven Raichlen provides a step-by-step guide to becoming a smoke master—it covers everything from choosing the right smoker and selecting smoking woods to essential techniques like hot-smoking, cold-smoking, rotisserie-smoking and more. Plus, there are 100 delicious recipes that your recipient can dive into... and hopefully share with you.
Pages: 336 | Published: 2016 | Formats: Paperback, hard cover, spiral-bound
Best Can Insulator: Yeti Rambler 12-Ounce Colster Can Insulator
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Courtesy of Amazon
Dishwasher safe
Variety of colors
Durable
Heavy
Sure, grillers can stand the heat—but their beers can’t. This super-durable stainless steel drink insulator from Yeti is made to hold a 12-ounce can of beer (or soda) and will keep a cold one frosty, even right next to the grill. It comes in a variety of colors and (even though it’s double-walled), it’s dishwasher safe.
Material: Stainless steel | Holding Capacity: 12-ounce cans | Insulation: Double-wall vacuum insulation
Best Sauce Kit: Grow and Make Make-Your-Own BBQ Sauce Kit
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Courtesy of The Grommet
Includes ingredients and tools
Produces three 5-ounce bottles
Six month refrigerated shelf-life (once made)
Plastic gloves can make hands sweaty
Culinary adventurers will have a blast mixing up their very own BBQ sauces with this kit from Grow and Make. It contains everything needed to create unique homemade sauces, including several types of vinegar, brown sugar, liquid smoke, lots of seasonings, and more. The kit comes with three 5-ounce bottles, as well as an instruction booklet with recipes to follow, but half the fun is experimenting to make one-of-a-kind creations to use while grilling.
Includes: (3) 5-ounce glass bottles, plastic gloves, distilled white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, yellow mustard powder, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, soy sauce, sea salt, black pepper, onion powder, chili powder, red pepper flakes, paprika, garlic powder, turmeric, cayenne
Best for Seafood Lovers: Wildwood Grilling Grill Planks Sampler Pack
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Courtesy of Bed Bath and Beyond
Each plank has grilling instructions on it
Variety of wood types and flavors
Comes in multiple sizes
Each plank is single-use only
Wooden grill planks prevent fish from drying out, keep the skin from sticking to grill grates, and add a subtle smokiness to the finished dish. And because they can't be reused forever, they’re the perfect present for seafood-loving grillers. This sample pack from Wildwood Grilling includes five different kinds of wood (Western red cedar, alder, maple, cherry, and hickory), and the planks are available in three sizes (8, 11, and 15 inches).
Includes: 5 planks (western red cedar, alder, maple, cherry, hickory)
Best Gift Basket: Stonewall Kitchen Grilling Favorites Gift Crate
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Courtesy of Stonewall Kitchen
It's hard to go wrong with Stonewall Kitchen's gourmet spices and sauces, and this gift box combines the best of both for grilling, along with a butcher-themed tea towel and a wood-handled silicone basting brush. Even without the accessories, this set is fit for grillers of all levels with its variety of fabulous flavors: Maple Chipotle Grille Sauce, Roasted Apple Grille Sauce, Bourbon Molasses BBQ Sauce, Maine Seafood Rub, Texas Rub, and Carolina's Rub.
Includes: Maple chipotle sauce, roasted apple sauce, bourbon molasses BBQ sauce, Maine seafood rub, Texas rub, Carolina's rub, tea towel, silicone basting brush
Best Branding Iron: OnlyGiftsDotCom Custom 2–3 Letter Branding Iron
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Courtesy of Etsy
2- or 3-letter brand
Additional gift accessories available
Works on wood, meat, and leather
Pricey
This customizable branding iron is a must-have for any griller who has (almost) everything—or one who just enjoys a bit of novelty. Made of durable, rust-resistant stainless steel with a 15-inch handle, this fun tool can be personalized with letters, numbers, and a handful of symbols and used on meat, buns, and more.
Material: Stainless steel, wood | Dimensions: 15 x 1 x 2.75
Best Apron: Hedley & Bennett Waxman Apron
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Courtesy of Hedley & Bennett
Waxed canvas
Leather straps
Deep pockets
Not washable
Every griller needs a sturdy apron to wear while they're tending the food, and this one from Hedley & Bennett is both stylish and highly functional. It's made from heavy-duty cotton canvas with a waterproof wax coating, and durable leather straps keep in in place around the neck. Plus, the design is backed by the brand's lifetime guarantee, which covers failure or damage of the apron.
Material: Cotton, soy-wax coating, leather | Weight: 12.5 ounces
Best Grill Light: Kosin Grill Light
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Courtesy of Amazon
Flexible neck
Magnetic base
Portable
Neck is a little short
Grill masters need some kind of light to work their culinary magic in the dark—and the flame from the coals doesn’t cut it. These handy LED lights can be mounted on any surface that can hold a magnet, and the flexible gooseneck means they’ll work with just about any style of grill. The super-bright LED bulbs are powered by AAA batteries, and their uses extend beyond the grill.
Includes: 2 LED grill lights, 6 AAA batteries, basting brush
Best Meat: Omaha Steaks Grand Grilling Assortment
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Omaha Steaks
When it comes to grilling, the main event is the meat itself. If you want to impress the griller in your life, Omaha Steaks has a fantastic gift bundle of high-quality meats. The Grand Grilling Assortment includes filet mignons, sirloins, beef sirloin tips, brisket burgers, jumbo franks, and even steak seasoning. Omaha Steaks has a number of other bundles, as well, including the Stock Up Assortment (which features pork chops, bacon, chicken breasts, meatballs, and more) and the Protein Packed Assortment (which includes bacon-wrapped filets and steak burgers).
Includes: 4 butcher's cut filet mignons (5 ounces each), 4 butcher’s cut top sirloins (6 ounces each), 2 packages of beef sirloin tips (1 pound each), 4 PureGround brisket burgers (6 ounces each), 4 gourmet jumbo franks (3 ounces each), 1 jar of Omaha Steaks seasoning
Best Grill Brush: Kona 360° Clean Grill Brush
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Courtesy of Amazon
Triple brushes
Ergonomic no-slip handle
Hanging loop
Tricky to clean
Bristles can bend
Once the grilling is done, the cleaning begins. To scrub away any char or burned bits, you’ll need a good, sturdy grill brush. This wire-bristle brush from Kona makes the task go much faster with its triple-head feature. Not only does it scrub the surface clean, the 360 brushes even clean between and underneath the grill slats. Dip it in water and use the power of steam for an extra-deep clean. The brush has a comfy handle that’s long enough to keep your hands away from the heat of the grill. It works on most grill types, including porcelain, ceramic, infrared, char broil, and more. Our tester liked that you can use the brush sideways, as well.
Brush Material: Stainless steel | Weight: 12 ounces | Dimensions: 18 x 4 x 10 inches
"The handle, made from hard plastic, was long enough to keep my hands away from the heat of the grill, and it felt comfortably squishy thanks to its hollow form." — Donna Currie, Product Tester
What to Look for in a Grilling Gift
Quality
As with any gift, you’ll want to make sure it’s a high enough quality that it won’t easily break, rust, chip, tear, or wear down. Quality can also mean it includes elements that go above and beyond, like rubber no-slip grips on handles or magnetic attachments.
Durability
You’ll want to find a gift that stands the test of time and use. Something that splits apart after just a few grilling sessions won’t make for a great present. Look for items that are scratch resistant, dishwasher safe, or weatherproof.
Heat Resistance
If your gift is going to be on or near the grill, look for something that has heat resistance so it doesn’t melt or warp. If it’s a grilling tool, does it have a heat-resistant grip? Will it keep hands safe and cool? Summer grilling involves a lot of heat, so it’s important to find ways to beat it.
FAQs
What makes for a good grilling gift?
There are many gifts any griller would be happy to receive. Tools like grill brushes, spatulas, tongs, thermometers, or gloves are always helpful. Aprons or brands can be customized if you want a personal touch, and seasonings, sauces, and meats are a surefire way to make a grill master happy.
Can I personalize a grilling gift?
Many kinds of gifts can be personalized with a phrase, name, or initials. Some tools are engraved or wood-burned, leather can be pressed, and metal can have laser etchings. Check to see if a vendor offers personalization to add a little bonus to your gift.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
Emily Farris is a food and lifestyle writer as well as a recipe developer, who has written about grilling for Bon Appetit. She obsesses over kitchen design and is married to a four-seasons griller. She’s also embarrassingly good at buying expensive things online and can see straight through a fake review.
This article was updated by Camryn Rabideau, a freelance writer and product tester who specializes in all things grills. She included several of her favorite grilling items on the list, as well as several items she'd be happy to unwrap during the holidays.
Allison Wignall, who updated this article, is a writer who focuses on food and travel. She’s a self-professed carnivore who loves grilling filets and pork chops every summer. Her work has been featured in publications, such as Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, and Southern Living.