The Best Deals on Grilling Tools and Outdoor Cooking Equipment - Memorial Day 2025 | America's Test Kitchen
Summer starts now—and don’t we all deserve some fun in the sun this year? We’re excited to hang by the water, unwind at backyard barbecues or block parties, and set out on memorable outdoor adventures.
The ATK Reviews team put together a list of some of our favorite summer kitchen equipment to get you ready for the season. These picks will help you grill up something special, chill with a cold beverage or frozen dessert, or seek out some thrills with a new outdoor hobby.
Each item we’ve chosen aced a rigorous product review, so you can head into summer feeling confident your gear will perform well, this season and beyond.
Now’s the time: Check your grilling equipment to see if anything needs replacing, or treat yourself to a new tool or gadget to make this summer’s grilled dishes your best yet.
Looking to spend this summer cooking outside? A reliable charcoal grill is more affordable—and usually imparts more flavor—than a gas model. Our winner is simple to assemble, move, and operate, and it shone in our tests by making delicious salmon, ribs, burgers, and more. Read our review.
Get in on the flattop trend without buying an entire grill dedicated to it. This ingenious stainless-steel griddle transforms one side of your grill into a flattop (perfect for smashburgers!). It’s sturdy and large enough to offer a generous cooking surface, but the whole thing weighs just 7 pounds and fits in the kitchen sink for easy cleanup. Read our review.
The market is full of unreliable, flimsy grill baskets, as we learned in our recent grill cookware review. This perforated, rimmed tray is the exact opposite of those duds. The whole tray fits neatly on a baking sheet for transport to and from the grill, and it’s easy to clean in the dishwasher. Read our review.
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: You deserve better grill tongs. Our winning tongs are lightweight, precise, and incredibly easy to use. They’re also only about $17—way less expensive than those pricey, badly designed grill tools you see everywhere these days. Read our review.
The best grilling gloves are actually made for welding (so you know they can take the heat). We like these soft yet sturdy suede gloves because they offer excellent heat protection while remaining nimble and flexible. They also come in several sizes to ensure the perfect fit. Read our review.
Don’t overthink your grill brush. Go with our winner, an unfussy, affordable brush that’s great at scraping away the remnants of your last barbecue so you can fire up the grill again ASAP. Read our review.
Extra time in the hot sun calls for cold drinks, frozen desserts, and the best coolers and ice packs to help transport it all.
The sun is shining, the temperature is climbing, summery bliss is on the way—don’t let a hot drink ruin the vibe. Our favorite koozie kept drinks frosty for more than 3 hours during our tests. The single-piece, seamless design couldn’t be simpler to use—perfect for when you’re just trying to chill out. Read our review.
Our winning ice packs kept a 38-quart cooler chilly for 14 hours during testing. They’re also incredibly easy to use: They don’t form bulges as they freeze, they have convenient handles, and they can be reused again and again. Read our review.
This top-of-the-line wheeled cooler just aced our newest round of testing with its durable construction, portable design, and unparalleled cold retention (it kept ice frozen for 11 days). It’s a splurge, yes, but it’ll probably last you decades. Our Best Buy, the Coleman 50 Quart Xtreme Wheeled Cooler, is also spacious and portable. It can keep food cold for a weekend, though it’s less rugged than our winner. Read our review.
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You may be tired of hearing about these tumblers, but they really are a great option for carrying a lot of water (or other drinks) and keeping it cold for up to 24 hours. Our winner is famously durable—and don’t sleep on those cute colors, people! Read our review.
There’s a good chance the best ice cream you’ll ever taste is ice cream you make at home. Our winning canister-style ice cream maker will help make it happen with its lightweight, compact design and simple one-button operation. Read our review.
Plan the perfect campout, become an open-fire-cooking expert, or master the art of pizza-making. Whatever summer adventures you have in store, these are the tools for the job.
A fire pit is the ultimate centerpiece for outdoor fun, and our Best Portable model comes with everything you need to master open-fire cooking, even on the go. Imagine perfectly grilled steaks, beautifully charred veggies, or even a whole grilled fish at your next campout—this fire pit will make it all easier than ever. Read our review.
A cast-iron skillet is the most versatile vessel for cooking outdoors; you can perch it on your grill grate or nestle it right into a fire pit’s hot coals. Our Best Buy skillet by Lodge is an American icon that stands the test of time. Excellent heat retention and an easy-to-maintain preseasoned finish has earned it top marks in our tests for decades. Read our review.
Our top-performing picnic backpack has wide, comfortable carrying straps, and it comes stocked with all the dishes and flatware you need for an outdoor concert or afternoon in the park. We especially liked the side pouches, which securely held the included picnic blanket and a chilled bottle of wine. Read our review.
Maybe you’ve always wanted an outdoor pizza oven—it’s the summer to go for it. Our winner beat out 12 other models during testing with its professional-level heat output and portable design. This oven cranks out perfect pizzas with ease; it’s a true pizza-lover’s dream. Read our review.
A travel utensil set makes eating in the great outdoors or on the go easier and more sustainable. Our top-rated set is lightweight and easy to clean and stow until your next adventure. Read our review.
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