Best Grill Baskets For Veggies, BBQs, Fish, & More (2022)

Food falling between the grates is a huge waste and it’s problematic as it limits what you want to experiment with on your BBQ grill. Grill baskets are something that can solve this problem - or can they? They will if you pick the right ones, which is what our culinary team is here to help you do.

Reviews of the Top Grill Baskets

1. Weber Deluxe Grilling Basket - Editor's Choice

Our team always likes a multi-purpose tool, and the Weber grilling basket works the best. It fits Weber grills and comes with a lifetime satisfaction guarantee, which makes it a risk-free purchase. If you’re on the fence, knowing you can return the product for a full refund if it doesn’t work out really helps.

It’s the perfect solution for small pieces of food such as shrimp, veggies, and even fruits. The Weber grill basket cuts out the need to pan fry certain ingredients when you can do it all over the BBQ grill.

The entire product is crafted from stainless steel, which makes it dishwasher safe and easy to clean. 

Pros

• Sleek and curved handle
• Stainless steel construction
• Large size
• Nonstick coating
• Great for cooking veggies and fish
• Lifetime satisfaction guarantee
• Allows you to cook everything at once
• Dishwasher safe
• Comes with 25 BBQ recipes

Cons

• It’s a larger grill basket
• May need a grill brush to clean charred residue 

2. H&W Grill Basket - Premium Choice

The H&W grill basket is another option that really looks like a basket. Contrary to some other grill baskets, this one gives your food more contact with the top of the BBQ grate, which means more exposure to heat.

Although the stainless steel mesh is not a very tight weave, it is thickened and heat-resistant, and not easily deformed.

The curved handle allows you to bring it to and from the grill while serving veggies and small pieces of seafood or meat. It’s a multipurpose BBQ accessory that can double as a vegetable washer to go from the sink to the grill without switching receptacles. 

Pros

• Very versatile grill basket
• Raised edges
• Curved handles
• Great for small ingredients
• Stainless steel mesh
• Lightweight and easy to carry
• Works in the oven
• Works in the air fryer 
• Sturdy 

Cons

• May not be the best for fish
• Better to use oven mitts before touching the handles

3. GRILLSTAGE Grill Basket - Budget Option

The GrillStage BBQ basket is the affordable grill basket that performs just as well as the more expensive options. This particular model has a perforated surface that allows more heat and smoke to come into contact with your food for that perfect sear, char, and smoky taste.

You still get a lot of surface area with our budget option, as it’s an extra-large grilling basket that can hold more ingredients. The durable stainless steel can handle an open flame without any issue, which makes it one of the best materials for grill accessories.

You can be sure it will not warp, plus the built-in carrying handles make serving easy.

Pros

• Stainless steel
• Perforated grilling surface
• Easy to clean
• Tolerates high heat
• Perfect for grilling vegetables
• Keeps your food secure
• Small foods won’t fall through
• Built-in curved handles
• Sturdy construction
• Best grill basket for the price

Cons

• Need to flip food one by one
• Doesn’t come with accessories such as a basting brush

4. GRILLART Grill Basket 

The Grillart grill basket resembles its predecessor with a few differences. This basket is a little deeper, which allows it to hold more and larger pieces of ingredients such as thick steaks and the like.

Crafted entirely from stainless steel, the Grillart grilling basket is dishwasher safe, because who wants to scrub away after a long day at the grill? 

These grilling baskets minimize the chances of food dropping through with small holes covering the entire surface and it comes with a 100% money-back guarantee just in case this isn’t the right grill basket for you.

Pros

• Reinforced corner brackets
• Built-in handles
• 100% money-back guarantee
• Easy cleanup, dishwasher safe
• Can withstand high temperatures
• Can hold enough food for a large party 
• Circular holes on the surface
• Lightweight
• Can go right over hot coals 

Cons

• Doesn’t have a nonstick coating
• Works better than grill mats with the edges 

5. Cattlegrill Foldable Grill Basket

The Cattlegrill foldable grill basket isn't the regular vegetable basket we see, but it is a hinged grill basket. It also comes with a grill mat and basting brush, making it a good value for money choice.

Created from 430 stainless steel, the nonstick grilling basket is dishwasher safe and works well for both thick and thin items.

Don’t worry about burning your palms on the handle because it comes with a foldable wooden handle that will absorb all the heat. You can have a firm grip of the double grill grates which makes flipping food much easier. 

Pros

• Professional-grade stainless steel
• Best for flipping food
• Dishwasher-friendly
• Comes with a foldable handle
• Has a nonstick coating
• Comprehensive package
• Unconditional guarantee 
• Lockable grill grate

Cons

• Not recommended for over 500F
• Cannot stir fry

Grill Baskets Buyer’s Guide

Size and Design

There are a few different types of grill baskets you can find on the market. For our culinary team, each brings some of their own benefits and drawbacks to the table. 

There are hinged options, like number 5 on our list, and the ones that are in the shape of a basket or bowl, which are also known as grill woks. These are the two most popular types, and our team is pretty even on which each person prefers.

The hinged type is very easy to use because you can flip your food all at once easily with the handle to ensure even cooking. The food sits very securely inside and you can even lock the two sides of the foldover baskets together to keep things snug.

The one problem with this type of grill basket is the limitations it has on the size and thickness of your food. You have ones that have curved edges which could accommodate your favorite thick red meat steaks, larger broccoli florets, bigger pieces of diced meat, and thicker salmon fillets (here's the best way to grill salmon). 

However, the ones that do not have bent edges may only work well with small pieces of chopped vegetables. Something else to consider is the length of the foldover types. Luckily, most grill baskets come in different sizes and depths (for the basket or bowl-shaped options), so you can most definitely find just what you’re looking for.

If you find yourself often grilling tall vegetables such as asparagus, celery stalks [1], and full-sized carrots, you may need to find a vegetable basket that is longer.

If you go for the basket or bowl-shaped options, you will have a wider selection of sizes, which is why many members of our team go for this type when we’re feeding large parties.  

The best grill baskets will be ones that can fit your food of choice and withstand the temperatures needed to achieve that perfect char and smoky flavor you crave.

(Find out all about the best vegetables to grill here!)

Material Quality

Both types of grill baskets are usually made from stainless steel or cold rolled carbon steel that don’t warp under high temperatures and give the heat and smoke close access to your food via a mesh design or a surface with small holes.

They have to be sturdy, especially since they come into direct contact with most grills. You wouldn’t want toxic residue seeping onto your main course from a basket made from poor quality materials.

The right grill tools will be by your side for years, enduring multiple grilling methods while still maintaining its integrity. Aside from looking for durable steel grilling tools, you should also make sure the material is thick. Thick construction on your grill basket will make it less likely to warp and distort. 

Non-Stick Coating

Just as most of our team of chefs and the everyday cook go for nonstick pans for easy cleanup, the same goes for grill baskets as well. There are some that come with a nonstick surface, but many do not. However, you shouldn’t let this one small setback deter you from purchasing the best grill basket you have your eye on.

Our experts say a nonstick surface will affect how hot your grill can go before the nonstick chemicals begin to break down under high temperatures. You should never go above 400F if your grill grates and grill baskets have nonstick treatment. This is very unfortunate for avid BBQers and those who like to experiment because there are methods that call for a whopping 500F.

If you’re someone who needs to exceed 400F, then our chefs suggest going for grill baskets without a nonstick treatment and using a cooking spray or even olive oil to grease up the stainless or carbon steel material for a similar effect.

Holes

Some grill baskets are riddled with holes, others have spaces with a mesh design or even slats. You have to make sure the spaces and holes aren’t too large, or it will completely defeat the purpose of using a grill basket. 

Delicate foods such as fish fillets could easily fall through. Other vegetable side dishes such as sliced peppers, stir fry veggies and even meats such as chicken quarters can also fall victim to the large spaces.

The holes have another function, which is to prevent grease and oil accumulation. Grease and oil don’t need big holes to leak out of, so our team says ones that are around the size of a dime will be enough. Again, there is no perfect size, just choose one that works for your grill and your preferred dishes.

Handle

Don’t forget about the handles! Not many people look at a grill basket and think about the handle first, but little do they realize that it is still an integral part of the basket. Some baskets have built-in handles while other baskets have foldable ones. The right one on your basket really depends on the type of grill basket you pick and your preference, but the most basic detail is it needs to be heat resistant.

The handle on a grill wok is usually built into the body or curved rolled handles. These handles are elevated and are also typically crafted from the same material as the rest of the grill basket. This could make it susceptible to heat transfer, which is why our culinary team reminds you to always use oven mitts or BBQ gloves (we have recommendations for grill gloves).

Handles are important to have because it makes serving food much easier, and the grill basket can even double as a strainer, washer, and even serving bowl. 

As for the handles on the foldover types, many of them are similar to the bowl options where it’s crafted from the same material, but there are also ones that have a separate foldable handle with a wooden grip. This type is the best for hinged options because the wood prevents the heat from reaching your palms.

Dishes You Can Cook on a Grill Basket

Do you need a grill basket? Can it cook dishes you can’t directly try on your grill? Our master chefs are very pleased to inform our readers that you can cook almost anything on a grill basket - yes, anything. 

As long as the food fits, then the sky's the limit. From delicate foods to regular grilled side dishes, you can get even more use out of your charcoal or gas grill.

The grill basket makes it easier for you to flip food all at once if you opt for the hinged foldover types, and you can still enjoy the char from high heat you can only get from a grill.

Our experts also find a grill basket to be an excellent substitute or replacement for a grill mat. It’s more versatile and is really good for skewers, and whole pieces of ingredients that may be too long and large to handle easily on the grill such as fish. (Here are some of the best fish to grill.)

Foldover types are also an excellent choice for burgers. Do you want to look even more professional with the grill pattern on your patties? If so, then you can’t skip over a hinged foldover grill basket.

FAQ

What type of grill basket is best?

Grill woks are best if you are serving a large party. This is the best grill basket for stir-frying as well and is very versatile. We also recommend the foldover types if you want more control over the flipping of the food and a replacement for regular grill mats. 

Are grill baskets worth it?

Yes, grill baskets are worth it. They are especially good value for your money if you experience food dropping through the grates or you want to keep everything gathered together and transport ingredients from the grill to the table in an easy way.

Our Top Pick For a  Grill Basket:

Weber Deluxe Grilling Basket

Our top choice after sampling results from various grill baskets is the one from Weber. The Deluxe grilling basket is a large size, which could hold a lot of food for large parties. It features a sturdy stainless steel design with slivers instead of holes to allow oil and grease to pass through and keep your food from falling into the grates. Additionally, you can also learn how to clean your grill grates efficiently.

Need more help with grilling? We have more resources just for you:

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