Over the years I’ve tried a lot of different BBQ gear — some of it great, some of it not so much. These are the tools I actually reach for every time I fire up the pit. I use every single item on this list regularly, and they’ve all earned their spot in my rotation.
If you’re just getting started, you don’t need everything here. But if you’re looking to upgrade your setup or fill in a gap, these are the tools that make BBQ easier, more consistent, and way more enjoyable.
Heads up: Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them — at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I actually use and trust.
Smokers & Grills
Pit Boss Pellet Smoker
This is my workhorse. Pit Boss pellet smokers are reliable, hold temperature well, and don’t break the bank. The hopper holds enough pellets for long cooks, and the temperature control is solid once you get familiar with it. I’ve done everything from brisket to wings on this thing, and it hasn’t let me down.
If you’re new to pellet smokers, Pit Boss is a great entry point without the premium price tag of some other brands.
Level-Up Gear
Smoke Tube
This is one of those tools that punches way above its price point. If you’ve got a gas grill and want to add real smoke flavor, this smoke tube is your answer. Just fill it with pellets, light it, and let it smoke for hours.
Even if you already have a pellet smoker, a smoke tube is great for cranking up the smoke flavor on lighter woods or shorter cooks. I use mine when I want a heavier smoke profile without switching out all my pellets.
Simple, effective, and costs less than a bag of charcoal.
Thermometers
ThermaPro Instant-Read Thermometer
This is hands-down the most-used tool in my arsenal. Accurate, fast, and affordable. Whether I’m checking the thickest part of a brisket or making sure chicken hits 165°F, this thermometer gives me a read in under 3 seconds.
If you don’t have a good instant-read thermometer yet, this is the first thing you should buy.
Inkbird Wireless Thermometer
Game changer for long cooks. I can monitor my smoker temp and meat temp from inside the house without opening the lid every 20 minutes. The range is solid, the probes are accurate, and it saves me from babysitting the pit all day.
If you do a lot of low-and-slow cooking, a wireless thermometer is worth every penny.
Tools & Accessories
Heat-Resistant Gloves
I used to go through cheap oven mitts like crazy until I picked up a pair of these. They’re heat-resistant up to 800°F, grippy enough to handle hot grates, and easy to clean. I use them for pulling pork, moving ribs, handling hot dutch ovens on the smoker — everything.
Once you use a good pair of heat gloves, you won’t go back.
Poultry Shears
Essential for spatchcocking chicken or cutting through rib racks. These shears are sharp, sturdy, and make trimming way easier than trying to wrestle with a knife. I also use them for trimming brisket fat and cutting bacon into smaller pieces.
Good shears are one of those tools you don’t realize you need until you have them.
Meat Injector
For brisket, pork butts, and turkey, an injector adds moisture and flavor deep into the meat where a rub can’t reach. I use it for beef broth injections on brisket and butter injections on turkey. The stainless steel needle is easy to clean and doesn’t clog easily.
Not a must-have for beginners, but if you’re serious about taking your BBQ to the next level, this is a solid upgrade.
Meat Claws
If you’ve ever tried shredding a pork butt or a whole chicken with two forks, you know how much of a pain it is. Meat claws make the job about 10 times faster and way easier. They’re also great for lifting big cuts of meat off the grill without tearing them apart.
Once you use these, you’ll wonder how you ever got by without them.
Silicone Basting Brush
I’ve gone through a bunch of cheap brushes that either melted on the grill or fell apart after a few uses. Silicone brushes hold up to high heat, don’t shed bristles into your food, and clean up easily.
I use mine for brushing on BBQ sauce, butter, or marinades — especially during the last stages of cooking when you want a nice glaze.
Stainless Steel Grilling Rack
This is one of those simple tools that makes a huge difference. I use this rack when I’m cooking smaller items like wings, drumsticks, or chicken thighs on the smoker. Instead of dealing with pieces stuck to the grill grates or falling through, everything sits on the rack and you can grab the whole thing at once.
It’s also great for getting air circulation under the meat for more even cooking and better bark. Easy to clean, doesn’t rust, and way easier than trying to flip 20 individual wings with tongs.
If you cook a lot of chicken parts or smaller cuts, this is a cheap upgrade that’ll save you a ton of hassle.
Pizza Stone
Yeah, you can make pizza on your smoker — and it’s awesome. A pizza stone gives you a crispy crust and even heat distribution, whether you’re doing flatbreads, homemade pizza, or even baking bread on the grill.
I use mine more than I thought I would. If you’re looking to expand what you can do on your smoker or grill, this is a fun addition.
Vacuum Sealer
This isn’t BBQ-specific, but it’s a game changer for meal prep and storage. After a big cook, I’ll vacuum seal portions of brisket, pulled pork, or ribs and freeze them. They stay fresh way longer, and there’s no freezer burn.
Also great for marinating — you can vacuum seal meat with a marinade and it’ll penetrate way faster than just sitting in a bag.
If you’re doing batch cooks or meal prepping, a vacuum sealer pays for itself fast.
Rubs & Seasonings
I’m a rub addict. My wife will tell you I have way too many — they take up an entire cabinet in our kitchen, and she’s not wrong. I love trying new blends, testing out different flavor profiles, and experimenting with what works on different cuts of meat.
That said, the three Meat Church rubs below are the ones I reach for most often. They’re reliable, they’re versatile, and they deliver every time. If you’re just getting started or you want to simplify your setup, these three will cover 90% of what you need.
Meat Church The Gospel Rub
This is my go-to all-purpose rub. It works on chicken, pork, beef, ribs — basically everything. Good balance of savory and sweet with just a touch of heat. I keep a shaker of The Gospel on hand at all times and use it more than any other rub in my arsenal.
If you’re only buying one rub to start, this is the one.
Meat Church Honey Hog Rub
Sweet, savory, and perfect for pork. I use Honey Hog on ribs, pork chops, and pork butts. The honey flavor comes through without being overwhelming, and it creates a killer bark on low-and-slow cooks.
If you do a lot of pork BBQ, this one’s a must-have.
Meat Church Holy Cow Rub
This is my brisket rub. Bold, beefy, and built for beef. Holy Cow is a little more aggressive than The Gospel, which is exactly what you want on a big piece of meat that’s going to cook for 12+ hours. Also great on steaks.
If you’re smoking brisket or reverse-searing ribeyes, this is the rub you want.
Pit Boss Competition Blend Pellets
These are the pellets I run in my smoker 90% of the time. They’re a hickory-maple-cherry blend that gives balanced smoke flavor without being too heavy. Easy to find in stores, burn clean, and produce consistent results.
I’ve tried a bunch of different pellet brands and keep coming back to these.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need every piece of gear on this list to make great BBQ — but these are the tools that have made my cooks easier, more consistent, and more fun over the years. Start with the essentials (a good thermometer and solid rubs), then build out your setup as you go.
If you have questions about any of this gear or want to know how I use something, feel free to reach out through the Contact page.
🔥 Fire up the pit, and let’s grill and chill.