The Best Charcoal Grilling Gear
The charcoal grilling gear that actually matters — a chimney starter for clean coals, a thermometer for control, and the tools that keep grates clean.
Published June 25, 2026
Charcoal cooks better than gas when you control the fire — and most of that control comes down to a few cheap pieces of gear. Skip the lighter fluid and the 30-piece tool sets; this is the short list that makes charcoal easy.
#1 pick
Charcoal chimney starter
Steel chimney for lighting charcoal without lighter fluid.
Why: Faster, more even coals and no fuel-taste — and nothing for residue to build up from on your grates.
#2 pick
Instant-read thermometer
Fast digital probe, food-safe accuracy.
Why: The single most useful upgrade for any cook — pulls the guesswork out of doneness and food safety.
#3 pick
Brass-bristle grill brush
Stiff brass bristles, no stainless wire.
Why: Stainless wire bristles can break off and end up in food. Brass is stiff enough to clean grates and soft enough to fail safely.
#4 pick
Ash vacuum
Metal-canister vacuum rated for fine ash.
Why: Pulls fine ash and pellet dust out of fireboxes and hoppers without the cloud a shop-vac throws.
#5 pick
Kettle / kamado cover
Rounded cover for kettle grills and kamado cookers.
Why: Kettles and kamados rust at the vents and hardware. A fitted cover is the cheapest way to add years.
Charcoal has a reputation for being fussy, but almost all of that comes from two fixable things: lighting it badly and not knowing the temperature. Solve those and a charcoal grill is as easy as gas, with better results.
Start here
A chimney starter is the single best charcoal upgrade — fast, even coals with zero lighter-fluid taste. Add an instant-read thermometer so you’re cooking to temperature, not hope. Everything else is maintenance.
Keep ash and grates in check
Charcoal makes ash, and ash holds moisture that rusts the bowl. Clear it with an ash vacuum, keep the grates clean with a safe brush, and a fitted cover keeps water out of the vents between cooks.