BBQ Accessories Checklist: What You Actually Need in the UK

A useful BBQ kit should make cooking safer, cleaner and easier. It does not need to fill a drawer. Most barbecue accessories earn their place by doing one of five jobs: handling food, checking doneness, keeping raw and cooked food separate, cleaning the grill, or protecting and storing the equipment.

This checklist focuses on what UK garden cooks and campers are likely to use regularly, plus the optional extras that only make sense for particular foods or cooking styles.

Quick answer: the essential BBQ accessories

• Long barbecue tongs for turning and moving food
• A broad turner or spatula for burgers and delicate food
• Separate plates and utensils for raw and cooked food
• A clean food thermometer for checking the centre of food
• A suitable grill brush or scraper for your cooking surface
• Heat-resistant gloves or mitts appropriate for barbecue use
• A lidded box or carry bag for clean, dry storage

Everything else should solve a specific problem. A grill basket helps with fish and smaller foods. A smoker tube adds smoke to a compatible grill. A side-shelf mat keeps tools and drips contained. If an accessory does not match the way you cook, it is probably clutter.

Start with a safe cooking workflow

Accessories matter most when they support good habits. The Food Standards Agency advises cooking food for the correct time and temperature, checking it is cooked completely, and considering a clean food thermometer. Its barbecue guidance also stresses clean equipment and avoiding cross-contamination between raw and ready-to-eat food.

Keep one plate and set of utensils for raw food and another for cooked food. Do not put cooked burgers or sausages back onto the tray that held them raw. Clean a thermometer probe after every use.

Fire safety comes before accessories. The London Fire Brigade says barbecues should not be used on balconies or in enclosed spaces, and should stand on level ground away from sheds, fences and trees. Never leave a lit barbecue unattended.

1. Long tongs and a turner

Good tongs give you control without placing your hands directly over the heat. A broad turner is useful for burgers, fish fillets and foods that can break when lifted with tongs. Look for handles long enough for your grill depth, a comfortable grip, and a shape that is easy to clean.

If you want the main tools stored together, the BBQ tool set with carry bag is available in 3, 5, 7, 9 and 10-piece options. The illustrated tools are roughly 32.5 to 35.5cm long. Check the selected set before ordering because the contents differ between options. You can also compare the wider BBQ tools and utensils collection.

2. A food thermometer

A thermometer is more dependable than judging food only by its outside colour. This is especially useful for poultry, burgers, sausages, kebabs and thick cuts. Insert the clean probe into the centre or thickest part, avoiding bone where relevant, and follow current Food Standards Agency guidance for the food you are cooking.

Do not use one uncleaned probe repeatedly across raw and cooked food. Wash and disinfect it according to the manufacturer's instructions after every check.

3. Separate tools for raw and cooked food

You do not need two expensive matching sets. Two clearly different plates and two clearly different utensils can make the job obvious. For example, keep one pair of tongs beside the raw-food tray and another beside the serving plate. This simple separation reduces the chance of transferring bacteria from raw meat to cooked food.

4. The right cleaning tool

Choose a cleaning tool that suits the grate or griddle manufacturer’s instructions. A stiff scraper may suit a flat plate but damage a coated surface. A brush that works on one grate may be unsuitable for another. Let equipment cool to the temperature recommended by its manufacturer, remove grease and food residue, then dry the surface and tools before storage.

Browse the grill cleaning and care collection for brushes, scrapers and cleaning kits. Check the materials and intended surface rather than buying on appearance alone.

5. A clean work area and sensible storage

A small tray or washable side-shelf mat keeps utensils off dirty garden furniture and gives drips a defined place to land. Measure the shelf first and keep any mat away from flames, burners and hot areas unless the product instructions specifically allow that use. The grill mats and liners collection provides options to compare by size and intended use.

Once everything is fully cool, clean and dry, store tools together in a bag or lidded box. A barbecue cover can protect the main appliance between cooks, but it must fit properly and should only go on once the barbecue is completely cool. Use our UK BBQ cover measuring guide before choosing one.

When a grill basket earns its place

A grill basket is useful when food is delicate, narrow or likely to fall between the bars. It can hold fish, sausages and suitably sized vegetables while allowing the whole basket to be turned together.

The 34 x 32cm stainless steel grill basket has a foldable format, wooden handle, friction hinge and sliding lock. Measure your cooking area before ordering and remember that the basket and handle can become hot during use. Let it cool fully before cleaning or folding it away.

When a smoker tube makes sense

A smoker tube is optional, not essential. It is intended for cooks who specifically want to use wood pellets to introduce smoke in a compatible barbecue or smoker. Internal space and airflow vary between appliances, so check the grill manufacturer’s instructions and measure the available clearance.

The stainless steel BBQ smoker tube is offered in 6-inch and 12-inch formats. The listed widths are approximately 5 to 5.2cm, depending on the form. Choose by measured space, not simply by picking the longest option.

Accessories you can often skip

• Oversized sets: buy the pieces you will genuinely use rather than the largest number on the case.
• Duplicate gadgets: one reliable tool is usually better than several versions of the same item.
• Unmeasured racks and mats: an accessory is not useful if it blocks a lid, burner, vent or working area.
• Novelty tools with no clear job: start with the essentials and add only after a real cooking problem appears.
• Unknown-surface cleaning tools: check compatibility before scraping or brushing a coated cooking surface.

Home BBQ checklist

• Place the barbecue on a stable, level outdoor surface in a safe position.
• Keep raw-food and cooked-food utensils separate.
• Have long tongs, a turner and a clean thermometer ready.
• Prepare a clean serving area before lighting the barbecue.
• Keep children, pets and distractions away from the cooking zone.
• Use the correct cleaning tool after the barbecue has cooled as directed.
• Dry tools before putting them into a case or storage box.

Camping BBQ checklist

Check the campsite’s current rules before packing any barbecue. Restrictions can change with weather and fire risk. Never assume that a disposable or portable barbecue is permitted simply because it fits in the car.

• Confirm the fuel type and barbecue rules with the site.
• Pack separate raw-food and serving containers.
• Carry only the tools needed for the planned meals.
• Use a zipped carry bag or box so clean tools stay together.
• Allow enough time for the barbecue and every accessory to cool completely.
• Take all waste away or use the site’s designated facilities.

For grill sizes, fuel choices and safe packing considerations, read our portable BBQ guide for UK camping and small gardens.

Build the kit around what you cook

For burgers and sausages, start with tongs, a turner, separate raw and cooked trays, and a thermometer. For fish and vegetables, add a correctly sized basket if food regularly sticks or falls through the grate. For low-and-slow flavour experiments, consider a smoker tube only after checking appliance compatibility. For frequent griddle cooking, prioritise the correct scraper and cleaning method.

The best BBQ accessory set is not the biggest. It is the smallest kit that covers safe handling, reliable cooking, easy cleaning and proper storage for the meals you actually make.

Ready to compare options? Browse BBQ tools and utensils, cleaning equipment, smoking and fire tools, and BBQ covers.