Grill. Baby, Grill

Our experts share their time-tested strategies for better grilling. Senior staff writer Lesley Stockton reveals the proper way to clean and oil grates, why it’s probably time to clean your entire grill, and the unexpected tools (like restaurant tongs and a grill basket) that will immediately uplevel your next cookout.

Then Sam Sifton, assistant managing editor at The New York Times and co-founder of NYT Cooking, walks us through heat zones, why you should limit food flipping, and his favorite recipes to try this summer.

Products we recommend:

• A superior grill brushGrill Rescue Grill Brush ()

• The best grill tongsWinco Heavyweight 16″ Stainless Steel Utility Tongs ()

• The best allpurpose grill spatulaMercer Culinary Hell’s Handle Fish Turner ()

• The best basting brush​​OXO Good Grips Large Silicone Basting Brush ()

• The best grill basketGrillaholics Grill Basket ()

• Our favorite charcoal grillWeber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill 22″ ()

• Our favorite gas grillWeber Spirit E425 ()

• A griddle for larger Weber Spirit grillsWeber RustResistant Griddle Insert for Spirit Grill ()

• A griddle for the threeburner Genesis grillWeber RustResistant Griddle Insert for Genesis Grill ()

• Sam recommendsMomofuku’s Bo Ssam () recipe

• Sam’s goto portable smokerAMAZEN Stainless Steel Tube Smoker 2.5 in. W ()

Additional reading:

• How to Clean a Gas or Charcoal Grill ()

• The 3 Best Gas Grills of 2025 ()

• The Best Charcoal Grill of 2025 ()

• 10 Best Grill Tools and Accessories of 2025 ()

• Smoking a Turkey on a Gas Grill Sounds Hard. Here’s the $40 Hack Sam Sifton Swears by That Makes It Easy (and Delicious). ()

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more› ()

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The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from ...