Grilling season is here, and whether you're a seasoned pro or a weekend warrior, the right grilling basket can elevate your outdoor cooking experience. This comprehensive review explores ten of the best grilling baskets available in 2018, each offering unique features and benefits. From flexible designs perfect for delicate fish to sturdy, multi-basket sets ideal for separating meats and veggies, we've covered a range of options to suit every grilling need. We've meticulously examined factors like material durability, ease of cleaning, heat distribution, and overall usability.This guide will help you navigate the world of grilling baskets, comparing their strengths and weaknesses to help you find the perfect fit for your cooking style. We'll highlight features like handle design, perforation size, and non-stick coatings, addressing common issues such as food sticking and cleaning difficulty. Ultimately, selecting the "best" grilling basket depends on your individual preferences and the types of food you plan to grill most often. Read on to discover the top contenders and choose the one that will make your next barbecue a resounding success!
Pros And Cons
- Easily slips alongside main course
- Wire weave perfect for vegetables, shrimp, and small foods
- Ergonomically designed handles securely welded
- Scratch and rust resistant
- Large grips for use with grill mitts
- Raised edges keep food inside
- Retains heat well, cooks faster
- Can withstand heavy scrubbing
- Curved handles for easy carrying
- Sturdy and durable construction
- Small holes
- 12-inch porcelain-coated cooking surface for stir-frying
- 2-inch depth holds large portions
- Offset stainless steel handles and rounded seams for easy stirring
- Enamel coating can chip
- High-quality stainless steel retains heat
- Efficient cooking
- Three pieces for less than $30
- Curved handles
- Small perforations keep food inside
- Great for multiple side dishes
- Three-year warranty
Read more: Top 10 Cast Iron Grill Baskets: Our Best Picks
Outset Flex Peaches Grilling Basket
The Outset Flex Peaches grilling basket is ideal for larger food items. Its flexible steel wire construction conforms to the shape of your food, ensuring secure cooking. The rosewood handle stays cool and extends far from the grill, making it easy to handle even larger items like whole fish.
A convenient built-in metal loop allows for hanging. However, its primary drawback is its difficulty to clean effectively.
Grill Pro's Square Grilling Basket
The Grill Pro's square basket transforms your grill into a wok. Its 12-inch porcelain-coated cooking surface is perfect for stir-frying vegetables and diced meats. The 2-inch depth allows for cooking fairly large portions.
It features offset stainless steel handles and rounded seams for easy stirring. However, the enamel coating is susceptible to chipping over time.
Arctic Monsoon Grilling Basket
The Arctic Monsoon features numerous tiny circular perforations. These prevent even the smallest food pieces from falling through while allowing heat penetration for smoky flavor. The smooth, rolled handles provide comfortable gripping.
It distributes heat well and boasts sturdy stainless steel construction. A significant downside is its easily scratched nonstick coating.
Charcoal Companion Grilling Basket
The Charcoal Companion is a set of four baskets, ideal for keeping vegetarian food separate from meat during grilling. Its rosewood handle remains cool to the touch and the heavy gauge steel construction provides durability.
However, food tends to stick unless cooking spray is used.
Whether Original Grilling Basket
The Whether Original features flexible wire mesh designed to secure whole fish. This enables quick and easy flipping and prevents delicate foods from sticking or falling apart. It's also well-suited for chicken wings.
The woven design is highly durable, but the clasp doesn't always stay closed securely.
Yeti Catching Portable Grilling Basket
The Yeti Catching Portable basket features a long wooden handle that protects hands from heat and folds for compact storage. Its 14-inch width provides enough space to cook for three to four people.
The locking mechanism helps prevent food from falling out. It includes two basting brushes and comes in a gift box, plus it's dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.
Kalina Barbecue Grilling Basket
The Kalina barbecue basket easily fits alongside other food on the grill. Its wire weave makes it ideal for cooking vegetables, shrimp, and other small foods. It boasts ergonomically designed, securely welded handles for stability.
It's scratch and rust-resistant and has large grips compatible with grill mitts, providing a convenient alternative to skewers.
Grillak Stainless Steel Grilling Basket
The Grillak stainless steel basket features raised edges to contain food. It allows for easy tossing and stir-frying and retains heat well, speeding up cooking time. Its durable construction withstands heavy scrubbing.
It has curved handles for carrying and its small holes prevent food from falling through easily.
Yukon Glory Premium Grilling Basket
The Yukon Glory Premium grilling basket is made from high-quality stainless steel for excellent heat retention and efficient cooking. It offers a good value, with three baskets for under $30.
The curved handles facilitate easy maneuvering. Small perforations keep food contained, making it suitable for various side dishes. It's also backed by a three-year warranty.
Weber Professional Grilling Basket
The Weber Professional is best suited for smaller items like vegetables or stir-fries, not large cuts of meat or fish. It’s designed for imparting smoky flavor, working well with both gas and charcoal grills.
Easy to clean with soap and water, it features small slits that allow for drainage. Its design prioritizes flavor enhancement through smoke and fire over the capacity for larger food.
Conclusion
This review covered ten grilling baskets, each with unique features and strengths. While many offer durable construction and easy handling, factors like ease of cleaning and the potential for food sticking varied greatly.
Consider the type of food you’ll primarily cook (vegetables, fish, etc.) and your cleaning preferences when choosing. There’s no single ‘best’ basket, but rather the best option depending on your individual grilling needs.