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The short list
- Must-haves: a chimney starter and charcoal baskets.
- Strongly recommended: a meat thermometer, a good grill brush and long tongs.
- Nice upgrades: tool hooks, GBS inserts (if your kettle has GBS), a cover and gloves.
- Skip: lighter fluid, and gimmicky multi-tool sets with flimsy handles.
I've cooked on a Weber Master-Touch since April 2025, and I've written a full owner's review. A kettle is brilliant out of the box, but a few accessories make it much easier to use well. This list is what I'd recommend to a friend buying their first Weber. Where something comes from my own experience I've said so. The rest is based on how the kettle works and what other owners rate.
These accessories suit most 57cm Weber kettles, not just the Master-Touch. Always check the size and compatibility before you buy.
The essentials
1. A chimney starter
The single most useful thing you can own for a charcoal kettle. Mine came with my Weber, and with two firelighters it gets a full load of coals ready in about 20 minutes, with no lighter fluid. Here's how to use one.
2. Charcoal baskets
Baskets keep the coals banked to one or both sides, which makes two-zone cooking (hot side to sear, cool side to finish) quick to set up. If you only buy one extra with a Weber kettle, make it these. Check they're sized for a 57cm kettle.
3. A good meat thermometer
Cooking to internal temperature rather than time is the easiest way to stop chicken being undercooked or pork being dry. An instant-read probe is enough to start with. A wireless dual-probe model is great for longer cooks.
4. A sturdy grill brush and scraper
My Weber's grates are thick, so a wire brush with a scraper cleans them easily without worrying about damage. Brush while the grate is hot, and check for loose bristles before you cook.
5. Long tongs and a fish slice
Long, sturdy tongs keep your hands away from the heat. A wide fish slice or burger flipper handles burgers and delicate food.
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Worth adding next
6. Somewhere to hang your tools
One of my niggles with the Master-Touch is that there aren't many good places to hang standard tongs and a burger flipper. Clip-on handle hooks or a magnetic tool holder fix that cheaply.
7. Gourmet BBQ System (GBS) inserts
The Master-Touch GBS has a removable centre section in the cooking grate. Weber's GBS inserts drop in, such as a cast iron sear grate, griddle, pizza stone or wok. Check the insert says it's GBS-compatible before you buy.
8. A waterproof cover
A kettle lives outside in all weathers in most British gardens. A fitted cover keeps rain out of the bowl and the ash catcher, and helps the outside stay looking good.
9. Heat-resistant gloves
For moving a hot chimney, adjusting baskets or lifting the grate. Look for gloves rated for direct contact with hot surfaces, not just oven gloves.
10. Smoking wood chunks
A couple of chunks on the coals turns a kettle into a smoker for ribs, pulled pork and chicken. Apple and cherry are mild; oak and hickory are stronger.
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What I'd skip
- Lighter fluid. A chimney starter does the job better, and you avoid the chemical taste.
- Cheap all-in-one tool kits. Many come with flimsy tongs and spatulas you'll replace. Buy two or three good tools instead.
- Accessories that don't fit. Kettles come in different sizes (47cm, 57cm, 67cm). Check the size before buying grates, baskets or covers.
Next steps
Once you've got the basics, try my easy marinated BBQ chicken, a forgiving first cook on a kettle. Still choosing a BBQ? Read charcoal vs gas first.
Frequently asked questions
Do Weber accessories fit other kettle BBQs?
Many 57cm accessories fit other kettles of the same size, but not always. Check the dimensions, especially for grates, inserts and covers.
What is the Weber Gourmet BBQ System?
It's a cooking grate with a removable centre section. Inserts like a cast iron sear grate, griddle, pizza stone or wok drop into the gap. Kettles with GBS in the name have it built in.
Do I need charcoal baskets?
You can bank coals by hand, but baskets make two-zone cooking quicker and tidier, and they're cheap. I'd recommend them to any kettle owner.
What's the best way to clean Weber grates?
Brush them while they're hot after cooking. On thick grates like the Master-Touch's, a wire brush with a scraper works well. Empty the ash catcher regularly once the ash is cold.
Home cook, keen DIYer and long-time website builder, writing practical outdoor cooking guides for UK gardens. More about me.