Grill Masters Swear By These Under-$25 BBQ Hosting Tools – Find Out Why

So, you’re planning a cookout. Awesome — few things in this world are more fun than firing up the grill for your friends and family. If you want it to be a chill, effortless meal, though, it pays to have a few essentials on the table (or at the grill) to make things go smoothly. Take it from me, a former restaurant cook and someone who’s been grilling for over 20 years: A barbecue is way better when you aren’t worrying about your hosting duties. Below are the entertaining hacks and go-tos that make my barbecues relaxed, delicious, and inexpensive — they’re all $25 or less.

Barbecue Entertaining Essentials Under $25

• New Star Foodservice Plastic Squeeze Bottle, Set of 6, $16
• Dowan Ramekins, Set of 6, $12, originally $19
• Altec Lansing Mini H20 Bluetooth Speaker, $18, originally $20
• OXO Good Grips 9-Inch Stainless Steel Tongs, $13, originally $15
• FurRain Pastry Brush, $7
• Wican Napkin Holder, $10
• Grillart Grill Brush and Scraper, $25, originally $30
• Auam 10-Inch Wood Turntable, $14, originally $20

New Star Foodservice Plastic Squeeze Bottle, Set of 6

A great barbecue is full of tasty condiments. If you’re serving an assortment of flavorful grilled dishes and compelling sides, you might have a half dozen or more condiments like barbecue sauce, mustard, ketchup, mayo, and hot sauce on the table. I recommend filling up squeeze bottles in advance to minimize running to the kitchen every time you need a different sauce or topping. Plus, this a pro move that shows guests you know what you’re doing, and it and makes it easier for diners to quickly get the flavors they want. Upgrade to a restaurant-worthy spread for $16.

Dowan Ramekins, Set of 6

While we’re talking about condiments, you’re probably going to have a bunch of things that don’t go in bottles, like relish, pickles, kimchi, giardinara, chopped onions, or herbs. Setting everything out in ramekins is another pro move that helps minimize clutter on the table, and these ones are currently $2 each.

Altec Lansing Mini H20 Bluetooth Speaker

Great tunes are a central part of any barbecue worth attending. I’m always bumping classic rock (like CCR, the Beach Boys, and Steely Dan), but whatever you’re spinning, you want it coming from something innocuous and easy to transport, like this $18 speaker from audio giant Altec Lansing. Do not be the dinner party host who realizes nobody brought a speaker at the last minute.

OXO Good Grips 9-Inch Stainless Steel Tongs

Using a fork (or your hands) to serve your delectable meats and veggies is an amateur move. Whether you’re dishing out the goods for everyone or people are serving themselves, you want a sturdy, traditional utensil like these 9-inch locking kitchen tongs. They’re strong enough to pick up ribs, burgers, and corn, but nimble enough that people can easily snag those tasty, smaller bits, too.

FurRain Pastry Brush

A pro chef told me recently that his secret to perfect steak is using a pastry brush to spread marinade, sauce, and butter evenly. Get a couple of these strong brushes to give your dishes a professional look and taste.

Wican Napkin Holder

The unsung hero of a great and sloppy barbecue is the humble napkin, and nothing’s worse than needing one and having to scour the area, run inside, or tear off a paper towel from a roll (which can create even more mess for the next person). Pick up an inexpensive napkin holder to sit on the table so guests can grab one at their leisure.

Grillart Grill Brush and Scraper

You want to serve your guests the cleanest, tastiest flavors possible, and this starts with how you prepare your grill. Plus, people notice when you’re throwing food on a dirty grate — sadly, it happens far too often. Bristle brushes have come under scrutiny lately as more and more home cooks are finding dangerous metal bristles in their food. Save your guests the potential pain by picking up a safe, strong, and bristle-free grill brush made from stainless steel.

Auam 10-Inch Wood Turntable

If you’ve read this far, you know that a solid barbecue requires putting a lot of things on the table: sauces, napkins, serving utensils, and more. Passing them around the table is always good, but it can be a pain when everyone’s hands are slathered in barbecue sauce. Pick up a handy turntable to make everything accessible at the table. An added bonus? This creates more of a restaurant feel and makes you look like a hosting expert.