Grill. Baby, Grill

Our experts share their time-tested strategies for better grilling. Senior staff writer Lesley Stockton reveals the proper way to clean and oil grates, why it’s probably time to clean your entire grill, and the unexpected tools (like restaurant tongs and a grill basket) that will immediately uplevel your next cookout.Then Sam Sifton, assistant managing editor at The New York Times and co-founder of NYT Cooking, walks us through heat zones, why you should limit food flipping, and his favorite recipes to try this summer. Products we recommend:A superior grill brush: Grill Rescue Grill BrushThe best grill tongs: Winco Heavyweight 16″ Stainless Steel Utility TongsThe best all-purpose grill spatula: Mercer Culinary Hell’s Handle Fish TurnerThe best basting brush: ​​OXO Good Grips Large Silicone Basting BrushThe best grill basket: Grillaholics Grill BasketOur favorite charcoal grill: Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill 22″Our favorite gas grill: Weber Spirit E-425A griddle for larger Weber Spirit grills: Weber Rust-Resistant Griddle Insert for Spirit GrillA griddle for the three-burner Genesis grill: Weber Rust-Resistant Griddle Insert for Genesis GrillSam recommends: Momofuku’s Bo Ssam recipeSam’s go-to portable smoker: A-MAZE-N Stainless Steel Tube Smoker 2.5 in. W Additional reading:How to Clean a Gas or Charcoal GrillThe 3 Best Gas Grills of 2025The Best Charcoal Grill of 202510 Best Grill Tools and Accessories of 2025Smoking a Turkey on a Gas Grill Sounds Hard. Here’s the $40 Hack Sam Sifton Swears by That Makes It Easy (and Delicious).  We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more› Wirecutter Social and WebsiteInstagram: /wirecutterThreads: /@wirecutterTwitter: /wirecutterFacebook: /thewirecutterTikTok: /wirecutterLinkedIn: /nyt-wirecutterWebsite: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/ The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset. Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast