‘Tis the season for barbecue! This is my favorite time of year to go for walks, with the smell of everyone’s dinners wafting through the air, usually accompanied by laughing kids and misting from sprinklers.

If you are stocking up your outdoor kitchen or just grabbing a few new grill tools, here are some you will want to give a look:

Cleaning Tools

Before you get that steak sizzling, you’ll want to clean off last year’s burgers. Standard brushes are anything but plain, with features that cover everything but someone to do it for you. Steam cleaners like the Grill Daddy go a step further, and most models are budget friendly. You may want to keep both on hand, since only brushes are easily stored outside. If you are like me, you only use the tools that are within arm’s reach.

Knives

The perfect cut doesn’t need the perfect knife, but a good one certainly helps. Having one or two stored by your grill will be just the way to answer the age old question- “Yes, but how does it taste?”

Brushes

Flavor doesn’t end with the marinade soak. To keep the sauces flowing, make sure you have a good brush ready at all times.

Baskets & Skewers

Take your barbecue beyond burgers and hotdogs with baskets of all kinds. Fajitas, kabobs and even s’mores can go on the grill now. Is there really any reason to cook inside?

Thermometers

If you are new to the barbecue scene, like me, or an old pro who wants to know when your meal has reached perfection, you may want to get a thermometer. Available separately or built into a barbecue fork, a thermometer tool will make sure you get it right the first time.

Branding Tools

Mark your work with a signature branding iron. Monogram brands and unique designs are available everywhere from online specialty stores to your local Target, and they can really make a unique Father’s Day gift.

Lights

Tikki torches add ambiance, but they aren’t very helpful when it comes to deciding whether to flip that steake. Snap a grill lamp on to your barbecue, and your backyard luau can go on long after the sun goes down.

Racks

After you have built your outdoor barbecue tool collection, you’ll find that they need to stay handy. Leaving them around can lead to rust and gunk and children playing sword fights with the tongs and forks. Have one smaller rack for you main tools, multiple racks for the whole set, or one big one to keep it all in one spot.

Kits

Can’t decide what to get? How about everything, or at least the basics. Great if you are just starting out or have limited space, barbecue tool kits usually come in a carrying case that you can easily store away. From 3 or 4 pieces to full sets of 18 or more, there is a kit for every griller. There is probably a grill for every kit, too, but that is an article for another day.