Holds a Master’s degree in Linguistics, loves traveling and learning new languages. Fluent in Spanish, is learning French and Czech at the moment. Enjoys exploring national cuisines every time he visits new countries.
Claims that grilling is the art that he has been learning all his life long and is not planning to stop. Has been grilling for as long as he can remember. Author of numerous online and offline grilling masterclasses runs his own BBQ accessories shop.
Last updated: July 15, 2022
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You might think that grilling up your favorite veggies, fish, or thin slices of meat is always going to be a challenge on a grill, but then, you would be wrong. To help keep these delicacies from slipping through your grill grates, you simply need to make sure that you have the best grill basket at your disposal. Luckily, this page is exactly where you’ll find the most remarkable models the market currently offers.
Not all grill baskets are the same. You need to make sure that you look for a model that is made to be durable and, preferably, out of stainless steel. You also need to look for models, as we did, that is made for the right kinds of food. Some models are just for fish or veggies, while others are great for lots of different kinds of food. We also made sure to give you options that have non-stick grates that are easy to clean. We also found a few models that can double as a skillet, which only serves to make it even more useful.
"A handy mesh grate that is ideal for fish and vegetables.Great for a variety of Weber grills (but not limited to).Durable stainless-steel construction.Reliable manufacturer."
"A versatile model that can be used in a variety of ways.Suitable for practically any dish.Can be used as a skillet or deep basket.11.8 inches in diameter."
More features: dishwasher safe; triple-reinforced corners
This is a high-capacity grill basket that is good for any style of grill. It is made with dishwasher safe stainless steel and features reinforced corners for added durability. This model is designed to be used with shrimp, vegetables, and diced meat.
Why is it special? There is a lot to like about this grill basket, but perhaps its best feature is its large capacity. This is an exceptionally deep basket, making it good for thicker cuts of meat or seafood. This model also is quite durable. It is built out of stainless steel and has triple reinforced corners to help it stay together for years to come.
Another nice feature of this model is the fact that it is completely dishwasher safe. While many other baskets need to be cleaned by hand, you can simply throw this one into your dishwasher on the top shelf and get it nice and clean with minimal work. Even if you do decide to wash this basket by hand, you won’t have any trouble keeping it clean. The holes are large enough to keep food from slipping into them and getting stuck, which makes it that much easier to scrub out and wash.
What are the flaws? There is a lot to like about this grill basket. From its dishwasher safe, durable design to its high capacity, this is a great model. The handles, however, leave a bit to be desired. These handles are quite thin and somewhat hard to grasp, especially in oven mitts because of their thin design.
More features: fits Weber Q 300 and larger gas grills, 18-1/2-inch and larger charcoal grills
This slim style grill basket is designed with charcoal or gas grills in mind. It works well with bigger grills due to its larger size. The mesh grates are stretchy, and the basket can be locked. This basket is best suited for fish or vegetables.
What makes it special? When it comes to grills, there is not a bigger name out there than Weber. They have been making excellent grilling options for decades, so it should be no surprise that this grill basket is so high on our list. This is a very wide model, which makes it perfect for larger Weber grills, or any grills for that matter, regardless if they are gas or charcoal.
This model is perfect for cooking fish. It has mesh grates that allow the fish to be held snugly inside of the basket. This will help to keep the fish from falling apart, even when you are flipping it over or removing it from the grill. These grates also work well with vegetables as well.
Despite the fact that the grates on this model are metal mesh, they are extremely durable. The handles are also quite well-made, which should allow you to use this basket for a good long time.
What cons did we find? This is an awesome grill basket for fish or vegetables, as long as they are sliced thin. The narrow depth of this model makes it very difficult to keep it closed if you are using thicker slices of meat, which is why it is so perfect for use with filets of fish.
Best for: vegetables; poultry; fish; meat; shrimps
Materials: stainless steel
Size: 11.8 inches in diameter; 4.3 inches deep
More features: can be used as a skillet, a deep basket, or a grill basket with a lid
This grill basket is both wide and deep, which provides for a large capacity. It comes equipped with a long handle and lockable lid. This model can be used as a grill basket, skillet, or deep fry basket. It is best suited to be used with vegetables, poultry, fish, beef/pork, and shrimp.
What stands out? Versatility is the name of the game when it comes to this grill basket. Not only can it be used as a grill basket, but it can also be utilized as a deep-fry basket or as a skillet. This makes it a great all-around option for someone that loves to make lots of different types of food.
Something else that makes this a great option is its large capacity. Unlike many different grill baskets, this one is shaped more like a pot. This deeper design allows you to fit more food inside than you might have otherwise, which is always a plus if you have a lot of mouths to feed. The lockable lid and durable design are also great attributes for this model.
What cons did we manage to find? While this is one of the highest capacity grill baskets on the market, that larger than average size comes with a price. With this model, you will not be able to close your grill while you are cooking unless you have a very large grill. This could cause the cooking time to extend a bit longer since you will not be able to retain as much heat as normal.
More features: elongated heat-resistant handle; non-stick
This smaller than average grill basket is made with durable stainless steel that is coated in non-stick materials. It has a heat resistant elongated handle. It is best suited for fish, seafood, and vegetables due to its thin profile.
Why did it make our list? If you are just starting to get started using your grill and are not sure if you need a grill basket or not, then this is an awesome option. It is fairly priced, which makes it a sound investment for a beginner. It is also a great option thanks to its durability and how easy it is to clean. The wide grates are coated in a non-stick material, which makes cleanup a breeze. The lid can also be locked into position, which will keep all of your food exactly where you want it, making this a good choice for seafood.
Another fine point is its extra-long handle. This handle makes it very easy to stay clear of the heat from your grill due to its length. The handle is also heat-resistant, which should allow you to handle it pretty easily with mitts without having to worry about getting a burn.
What is not ideal about it? The handle on this basket is a really nice touch, as long as you can use two hands to hold it. Since the handle is so long, it moves the center of gravity towards the basket, especially when it is full. This can make it a bit unwieldy when you are moving your food onto or off of your grill.
This grill basket has a high capacity thanks to its open-top design. It is crafted with stainless steel, which is coated in a non-stick material. This grill basket can also be used as a vegetable steamer. It is best suited for vegetables, fish, and poultry.
What are its best features? One of the best ways to prepare vegetables is to grill them. Unfortunately, they can easily slip through the grates, which is why a basket like this one is so handy to have. It is nice and wide and plenty deep, which will allow you to easily pile in your favorite vegetables. This model also doubles as a steamer, which is another great way to unlock the flavor of vegetables. You can also use it for cooking fish or poultry as well.
This stainless-steel grill basket is also quite durable. The handles are well made, as is the frame that the grates are attached to. These grates are then covered in a non-stick coating, which makes for relatively easy cleanup each and every time.
What could be improved? The good thing about this grill basket is that it is non-stick, which allows you to clean off 95% of any food or grease very quickly and very easily. That last 5%, however, can be quite the problem. Thanks to the smaller than average holes, small bits of food can become lodged, which takes a bit of work to get back out.
More features: detachable and adjustable handle; lockable grate
This high-capacity grill basket is equipped with a lockable grate. It also features an adjustable and detachable handle, which allows it to be used on lots of different grill types and sizes. This model is best suited to be used with fish, veggies, meat, and shrimp.
What stands out? If you are looking for a grill basket that can be used on lots of different grills, then this is the right model. Thanks to its removable and adjustable handle, you can easily fit this basket on pretty much any size grill, regardless of the need to be used with the lid open or closed. This versatility makes this an excellent option if you are traveling since grills might be different sizes at each of your stops.
Since this model is built for travel, it shouldn’t be a surprise that it is made out of high-quality 430 stainless steel. This makes it very durable and less likely to get bent during your travels. The lockable grate is another nice touch, as is the high capacity design.
What cons did we manage to find? One of the best things about this particular grill basket is that it has a handle that can be removed. That makes it much easier to fit the basket onto a ton of different grills. Unfortunately, the handle can be a bit tricky to remove if you need to get it off so that it fits onto a smaller grill. Though this is definitely a bother, you should be able to figure its system of removal out over time, which will only make using it easier.
Things to Consider
In this section, we will guide you through everything that you need to know to find the best grill basket for your needs. We have also taken the time to answer several frequently asked questions, so be sure to read through those as well if you need any further information.
Features to consider when choosing a grill basket
While all grill baskets are similar, none of them are exactly alike. Some are made for fish, while others are made just for vegetables, which can make finding the right grill basket tricky. But don’t worry, we have taken the time to lay all of these different components out in great detail so that you can buy with confidence.
What it’s recommended for/design
The very first thing that you should decide upon is what type of grill basket you want to get. Different models are set up in different ways so that you can cook different foods to perfection. The different designs that you can choose from are as follows:
Fish/Seafood/Vegetables – Grill baskets that are designed to be utilized for these types of foods usually have smaller perforations that help to keep the food from slipping through the cracks. They are also usually on the smaller side, making them great for use on smaller grills.
Poultry/Diced Meats – These grill baskets generally have larger slats that allow for a bit more heat and vapor to fit through to cook slightly larger pieces of food. They are still much smaller than the slots on a grill, which, again, helps to keep the food from slipping away.
All-Around – All-around baskets, like the Outset 76182, are made with holes that are a bit bigger than the seafood/vegetable style of basket but smaller than those for poultry. This makes them good for many different types of food, though they might be too small for some meats and too big for skinnier vegetables.
Materials used
Whichever style of grill basket you decide to purchase, you need to make sure that you get one that is made with the best materials possible. Otherwise, they are liable to break down on you too quickly or be very difficult to clean. The best material that we have found during our research has got to be stainless steel. Not only is this material extremely strong, but it is also rust-resistant. This perfect combination will help you to not only make delicious foods but also save you money as well.
Of course, while stainless steel is a wonderful material, it can be tricky to clean if you don’t get a model that is non-stick, like the Cuisinart CNTB-422. This type of coating, as the name implies, will keep your food from sticking to the basket. Not only will that keep your food fresher, but it will also save you a ton of cleaning time when you are done cooking.
Dimensions
Something else that you will need to keep in mind when you are looking for a new grill basket is how large of a basket your grill can handle. Obviously, it is always a good idea to look for the biggest possible model that you can. That way, you can get as much food as possible into the basket when you are grilling. To figure out how large of a basket you can get, you should measure your grill from front to back, side to side, and also from the grates to the lid. That way, you will have a clearer idea of how large of a basket you can get.
If you find out after your measurements that you have a smaller grill, then the Grillaholics Heavy Duty Grill Basket is a good option. Its slimmer profile makes it great for grills that have shallow lids. On the other hand, if the size is not a concern, then the WolfWise Portable Grilling Basket would be a fine option. This basket is huge from side to side, making it a great choice for cooking a ton of food at once.
Handle
Another key feature to keep in mind is whether or not your new grill basket should have a handle and, if so, what kind of a handle do you prefer. Handles make it a lot easier to get the basket into position on the grill, whether it is on or not. There are two basic types of handles that you can choose from, which include long single handles and shorter handles on the side. The type of handle you need should be based on your preferences since both types work quite well.
If you prefer a longer handle and are not going to be cooking too much at once, then something along the lines of the WolfWise Portable Grilling Basket would be a good option. This long type of handle is also more effective at keeping you from accidentally getting a burn since it is usually far enough away from the grill so that it won’t get warm. On the other hand, if you want to really load up the basket, the handles on the Grillaholics Heavy Duty Grill Basket will help you to keep it steady. Of course, these handles will get quite hot, so you will need to make sure you have gloves handy to remove it.
If there’s a lid/if it’s lockable
If you truly want to make sure that none of your food is going to go anywhere on you while you are grilling, then it might not be a bad idea to look for a model that comes with a lid. If the lid is lockable, that is even better. Aside from helping to keep your food in place, this also allows the grill basket to be used in different ways, such as a fry basket or as a skillet. These multiple functionalities help to make these types of baskets a better investment since they can be used for so many different kinds of food.
The Outset 76182 is a great option in this regard. Not only does it come with a lid, but it also can be securely locked into place. This makes it much easier to keep your food secure. It also allows the basket to function as a fry basket and skillet if you so desire.
How to clean it
Even though all of the different models that we found for our list are non-stick, that doesn’t mean that they will never get dirty. You need to make sure that you clean them very carefully, however, since you don’t want to take the non-stick coating off. To clean your new basket, assuming that you pick a model that cannot go in the dishwasher, simply follow these steps:
Allow the basket to cool completely before washing.
Place the basket in warm, soapy water to soak for 20-30 minutes before cleaning.
Using a soft cloth or sponge, wipe away any grease or food scraps
Hand dry or allow the basket to dry overnight.
How to grill fish and veggies to perfection
Whether you are grilling fish or veggies with your grill basket, you can follow very similar steps. They are as follows:
Heat your grill to high heat. This will help to sear the outside of what you are grilling to seal in the juices.
Allow the fish or veggies to sit on the counter for about 15 minutes to get to room temperature.
Using a paper towel, wipe the entire surface of the grill basket with olive oil. This will help to keep the non-stick surface as slick as possible.
Season your vegetables or fish to your liking.
Place the grill basket with your food on the grill.
For fish, you want to grill it for about 10 minutes for every inch of length, flipping it halfway through.
For vegetables, you should grill for about 5 minutes per side, or until the veggies feel crisp to the touch.
If you want to make sure that your grill basket will last for a good long time, then you need to take good care of it. This starts with cleaning it properly. Thankfully, cleaning a stainless-steel implement is quite easy. You just need to make sure that you don’t use anything abrasive. If you scratch the steel in any way, you run the risk of developing rust. As such, you should always use a soft cloth or sponge and warm, soapy water to wash it. Of course, you can also get a model like the Grillaholics Heavy Duty Grill Basket, which is safe to clean in a dishwasher.
There are several different ways that a grill basket is better than a standard grill grate. The first, and perhaps most important, the reason is that these baskets are non-stick. This will help to keep the food from falling apart on you while you are grilling and will also have the added benefit of keeping your grill cleaner.
The second reason that grill baskets are better than a regular grill grate is that they will keep smaller foods from falling down into the burner chamber. There is nothing worse than watching a delicious piece of food fall down into the depths, never to return again. A grill basket prevents this from happening.
If you are looking to get a new grill basket to utilize on your Big Green Egg grill, then you need to be sure that you measure it appropriately. Depending on which model you have, you will only be able to comfortably fit certain grill baskets. If you have the Extra-large model, then you are good to go for any of our picks. If, however, you have a Medium-sized model, you will be limited to choosing between the Corona Wire Mesh Vegetable Grill Basket, the Outset 76182, Grillaholics Heavy Duty Grill Basket, or the Cuisinart CNTB-422 due to its smaller width.
Our Verdict
Of all the different grill baskets that we looked over, we found that the Grillaholic Heavy Duty Grill Basket was the best of the best. This model has a high capacity, is very durable, easy to clean, and great for lots of different kinds of food. Plain and simple, if you want the best grill basket, we highly recommend you check this one out.
The Weber 6471 is an excellent option if you have a passion for grilling fish. The mesh grates will hold the fish in place and keep it from breaking apart when you flip it on the grill. It is also quite easy to clean and is quite durable.
The Outset 76182 is an excellent all-around grill basket. It can also be used as a deep-fry basket or a skillet. This makes it a versatile option that is good for lots of different kinds of food. As you would expect, it is also very durable and simple to clean.
