The Best Affordable Gifts for the Outdoor Cook
Updated: Feb. 17, 2023Check out these 15 affordable gifts for the outdoor cook and see if any of them are perfect for your friends, family … or even yourself!
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The grilling community is huge, which translates into plenty of options when you’re searching for holiday gift-giving ideas.
BBQ Rubs
Trust us: Even if they already have dry rubs, dedicated outdoor cooks always want more. Whether it’s for burgers, ribs, pork shoulder or fish, there are a million different kinds to choose from, but this BBQ Rub Gift Set from Killer Hogs is tough to top. It comes with three mouthwatering rubs: All Purpose (A.P.), Regular BBQ and Hot BBQ.
Grill-Safe Protective Mitts
Using old potholders or a rag to pick up your grill pans means it’s time for an upgrade. It’s hard to go wrong with Ekogrips BBQ Cooking Gloves, which block heat up to 425 degrees F and can be tossed in the dishwasher for cleaning. While you’re at it, browse the 10 kitchen safety products every homeowner should own.
Personalized Grilling Platter
This 12-in. x 17-in. personalized maple cutting board is the perfect gift for the gadget-obsessed griller who seemingly has everything. Not only is it great for cutting meats, it’ll improve presentation, too. And, they’ll love these butcher knives to go with their new cutting board.
Specialty Wood
Playing around with the flavors of food is one of the best parts of grilling. Gift the ability to do just that with a Smoking Chunks Variety Pack. It’ll allow them to compare how the flavor changes when they burn different kinds of wood and learn which kinds pair best with which foods.
Stainless-Steel Outdoor Griddle
Help your loved one expand their grilling options by gifting a stainless-steel griddle to set right on top of their gas grill’s surface, to easily cook foods like eggs and pancakes. We like the 8-in. x 13-in. Sizzle-Q Universal BBQ Griddle, which distributes heat evenly, includes sidewalls to prevent spill-over and comes with a lifetime warranty.
Charcoal Chimney Starter BBQ Grill Lighter
Lighting charcoal with a charcoal chimney starter is incredibly fast and easy. Depending on weather conditions, your coals should be ready to pour into the grill in about 10 to 15 minutes.
Using a charcoal chimney also removes that lingering lighter fluid taste on your food and the solvent smell in the air. It also works great in the rain! It is the perfect piece of equipment for grilling, tailgating, camping, beach trips and other outdoor activities.
DIY Grill Cleaning Kit
After grilling up your favorite food, it’s frustrating to scrub away at the grill for an hour after you eat. Give the gift of easy cleanup with a grill cleanup kit containing a bottle of Carbona 320 2-In-1 BBQ Cleaner, some Weber microfiber towels and a Better Grillin’ Scrubbin’ Stone. Take it up a step and package them in a grill basket-turned-gift basket.
Digital Meat Thermometer
This digital wireless thermometer is the perfect way to accurately monitor your meat remotely. Stop going back and forth from indoors to outdoors to check up on your meat, and instead monitor it from 300 ft. away. Even if your recipient isn’t new to grilling, this system includes programmed USDA approved temperatures for all kinds of meats at different doneness levels.
Personalized Grilling Apron
Perhaps the grill master on your list needs a grilling apron to his or her arsenal of grilling tools. We like this personalized Grillfather grilling apron, but Etsy has a wide variety of options sure to match with your recipient’s style (and sense of humor).
Basting Pot and Brush
Anyone looking to improve their grilling skills has to learn to baste. The iZAN BBQ Basting Pot and Brush is a wonderful starter set. The brush is made with food-grade silicone and is attached to the top of a big (32 oz.) stainless steel basting container. It’s dishwasher safe, too.
Dual-Duty Grilling Trays
These Cuisinart grilling prep and serve trays are the perfect way to avoid contaminating cooked food with raw stuff or marinade sauce. They’re made of shatter-proof melamine and, when you’re not using them, they nest together for convenient storage. They’re also dishwasher safe for easy clean up.
BBQ Tool Set
Every grill master needs the right toolset. What makes it right is often personal preference. We like this grilling tool set, because it comes with a digital fork for temperature testing and a nice cleaning brush. It even includes corn holders and a basting brush. Plus, it’s stainless steel and has a one-year warranty. The 30 essential BBQ tools you need provides even more great ideas.
Meat Injector
The aptly named Premiala Awesome Meat Injector takes any meal to the next level by letting you inject different flavors into your food. Instead of just letting your turkey marinate, you can put the marinade right in the turkey. This also helps keep your cooking tender and juicy. It’s a blast to experiment with and see what kinds of combinations you can come up with. It’s also 100 percent food-safe and comes in a nice gift box for easy wrapping.
20-oz. Insulated Rambler
Whether your loved one grills in the summer, the winter or both, they’ll want their favorite beverage nearby when they do their thing. You can’t go wrong with Yeti’s 20-oz. rambler double-wall vacuum insulated tumbler, which is engineered to keep hot drinks hot and cool drinks ice cold.
New Grill Cover
A cover isn’t the first thing someone will think about when they restock their grill supplies, which makes it the perfect gift. Help them extend the life of their grill with a heavy-duty iCOVER BBQ Grill Cover. This version of the iCover was recently reengineered to be waterproof and resistant to UV rays and tears.
