Whether you cook with gas or charcoal, if you have a barbecue grill, you need a few tools to get the job done right.

The folks at the Good Housekeeping research Institute put some new products to the test, and found some winners.

To have a sizzling summer, outdoor chefs need the right grill accessories. It all begins with a good fuel gauge so you won't run out of gas.

"There's nothing worse than having a crowd in the backyard, a ton of food on the grill and running out of gas," said Sharon Franke, the director of the institute's Kitchen Appliances & Technology Department.

That's why Franke recommend people buy a gas gauge indicator.

"The one we like has a remote indicator that sits on the side table so you don't have to bend down to see how much gas you have left," she said. "And it also gives you visual and an audible signal to let you know that you are running low."

Now that you're sure you have enough gas, it's time to get grilling. Good Housekeeping warmed up to the essential grilling collection of cooking tools from Cuisinart.

"These handles have these really comfortable, ergonomic grips," Franke said of the Cuisinart products.

Franke also liked the products' unique features. The tongs, for example, have curved end, which gives you added leverage when you're flipping things on the grill.

When you're done cooking and need to clean up the grill, you need a stiff, bristled grill brush like the Char-Broil Brush Hawg XL.

"It has an extra-wide brush head, so you can cover a lot of surface at one time. And the head snaps off, so it's easy to clean. And you can also buy replacement heads if it's just worn out," said Franke.

And to clean stainless-steel grill surfaces, Good Housekeeping recommends GrateChef's Stainless Steel Wipes.

Here's a tip that can save you major embarrassment. Even the best fuel gauge gives you an estimated reading. So if you're planning a whole afternoon of cooking, it's a good idea to have a spare tank on hand, just in case.

And of course, when you cook outside, you need to make sure the food is cooked thoroughly. Ground beef needs to be cooked until its internal temperature reaches 160 degrees. Poultry should be cooked to 165 degrees. That's the only way to make sure all the harmful bacteria are killed.

Get yourself a digital thermometer and check the food. You can't tell by looking if the meat or poultry is not enough on the inside.

More Information:

The best tried-and-true BBQ grills and methods