Best Grill Baskets

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Grill baskets hold vegetables, fish, shrimp and small foods that would fall through grates or stick. Styles include flat baskets, wok-style baskets with high sides, hinged fish baskets and rotisserie tumble baskets.

Types of grill baskets

• Wok-style baskets: high sides for tossing vegetables.
• Flat perforated pans: for small items and delicate foods.
• Hinged baskets: clamp food for easy flipping.
• Fish baskets: shaped for whole fish or fillets.
• Rotisserie baskets: tumble food on a spit.

The best grill baskets

Materials

Stainless steel resists rust and is durable. Nonstick baskets release food easily but can wear. Cast iron holds heat.

Handles

Removable or long handles help. Use heat-resistant gloves.

Size

Choose a size that fits your grill with room for airflow.

Tips for better results

Oil food, preheat the basket, and avoid overcrowding. See grilling vegetables and grilling fish.

Cleaning

Soak and scrub; use a brush for mesh.

Choosing by food

• Chopped vegetables and stir-fry: a wok-style basket with high sides for tossing.
• Delicate fish fillets: a hinged fish basket that supports the fillet during flipping.
• Whole fish: a fish-shaped basket sized to the fish.
• Shrimp and scallops: a perforated flat pan or hinged basket.
• Wings: a rotisserie basket or flat pan, depending on your grill.
• Burgers and small patties: a hinged basket helps flip several at once.

Stainless vs nonstick vs cast iron

Stainless steel baskets last years, tolerate high heat and can be scrubbed hard. Food can stick unless you oil it and preheat the basket. Nonstick baskets release food easily but coatings can wear and have heat limits, so follow the maker's guidance and avoid metal utensils. Cast iron pans and baskets hold heat for browning but are heavy and need seasoning.

Getting a good char in a basket

Baskets can steam food if they're overcrowded. Spread food in a single layer, preheat the basket on the grill, oil vegetables lightly and cook over high direct heat. Toss or flip only occasionally so food can brown. Cut vegetables into similar sizes so they cook evenly. See grilling vegetables.

Hinged baskets for fish

For fish, oil the basket well, preheat it, and place fish skin side down first. Clamp gently; too much pressure tears flesh. Flip once, and cook to a safe internal temperature. See grilling fish without sticking.

Baskets vs skewers vs grill mats

Skewers work well for kebabs and uniform pieces. Grill mats prevent sticking but reduce char and smoke contact. Baskets offer a middle ground with airflow and flame contact while keeping small food contained. See skewers and grill mats.

Safety tips

Baskets get very hot. Use heat-resistant gloves and long tongs. Set hot baskets on a heat-safe surface. See BBQ gloves.

Rotisserie baskets

Rotisserie baskets attach to a spit and tumble food like wings, vegetables and fries as they cook, giving even browning without flipping. They require a grill with a rotisserie kit. See rotisserie kits.

Sizing tips

Measure your grill's cooking area and leave space around the basket for airflow and room to cook other items. Large baskets on small grills block heat and cook unevenly. For kamados, round or smaller baskets fit better.

Cleaning and care

Soak baskets in hot soapy water right after cooking, then scrub with a non-metal brush for nonstick and a stiff brush for stainless. Dry thoroughly to prevent rust. Season cast iron after cleaning. Avoid dishwashers for nonstick and cast iron.

Budget vs premium

Inexpensive baskets work fine for occasional use. Premium stainless baskets with thicker wire, riveted handles and better welds last longer and resist warping.

Planning a basket-based meal

Baskets make it easy to cook a whole meal on the grill: vegetables in a wok basket, fish in a hinged basket and potatoes in a perforated pan. Start foods with longer cook times first, and keep a cool zone to hold finished items warm without overcooking.

Our bottom line

Buy a stainless wok-style basket for vegetables and a hinged basket for fish and burgers. Add a fish basket or rotisserie basket if you cook those foods often.

Vegetables that grill best in baskets

Baskets shine with vegetables that are small or cut into pieces: cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, green beans, asparagus tips, sliced onions and peppers, diced zucchini and squash, broccoli florets, and small potatoes that have been par-cooked. Larger vegetables like corn, whole peppers and thick eggplant slices can go directly on the grates. Toss vegetables in a little oil, salt and seasoning, and add delicate herbs after cooking so they don't burn.

Wings in a basket

Wings can be cooked in a rotisserie basket for even crisping, or in a flat perforated pan over indirect heat, finishing over direct heat for crisp skin. Dry the wings well and season them before cooking. See crispy smoked wings.

Common mistakes

• Overcrowding, which steams food instead of charring it.
• Not preheating the basket, which increases sticking.
• Too much oil, which drips and causes flare-ups.
• Flipping or stirring constantly, which prevents browning.

Using baskets on different grills

On gas grills, preheat the basket over high heat for a few minutes before adding food. On charcoal grills, place the basket over the hot zone for charring and move it to the cooler zone to finish. On pellet grills, crank the temperature higher and give vegetables more time.

What to buy first

For most cooks, a stainless wok-style basket is the most versatile first purchase, since it handles vegetables, shrimp and diced proteins. A hinged basket is the next best addition for fish fillets, burgers and delicate items that need flipping. Specialty fish baskets and rotisserie baskets make sense once you cook those foods often. Choose sturdy stainless construction that won't warp over high heat.