Grills & Smokers

I’ll be honest with you—I’ve burned my fair share of burgers. Charred them beyond recognition, actually. My old grill had hot spots you could map like landmines, and I spent more time shuffling food around than actually cooking. Then I got my hands on the Weber Spirit E-425 gas grill. Three months in, and I’m […]

My Weber Spirit E-325 isn’t shiny anymore. It’s got grease spots on the side tables and carbon buildup on the grates—battle scars from three months of heavy rotation. If you want to know how this machine actually holds up once the ‘new grill smell’ fades, you’re in the right place. Look, buying a gas grill […]

Let me tell you about the time my neighbor Jake tried to sneak a propane grill onto his apartment balcony. The landlord shut that down faster than you can say “fire hazard.” Jake was crushed. He’d been dreaming of grilled steaks all summer. That’s when I showed him my Char-Broil Electric Patio Bistro, and everything […]

I bought my first smoker in 2018. A cheap offset charcoal model that looked cool but turned every cook into a six-hour babysitting session. I sold it three months later. Then my neighbor showed up with this weird refrigerator-looking thing—the Original Bradley Smoker. I watched him load some wood pucks into a side tube, twist […]

I’ll never forget the first time I tried smoking meat on a charcoal grill. I spent six hours nursing a fire, adjusting vents, and watching temperatures swing wildly. The brisket came out dry as cardboard. My wife suggested ordering pizza. That’s when I bought my Char-Broil Analog electric smoker. Look, I’m not a BBQ champion. I’m […]

I bought my Masterbuilt 30 electric smoker on a Tuesday afternoon after eating my neighbor’s brisket. That single bite changed everything. I needed to make food like that. Problem was, I didn’t want to become a fire babysitter. My weekends are already packed. Standing outside adjusting vents and shuffling coals for 12 hours? No thanks. […]

I bought the East Oak PES23001 electric smoker six months ago, and I need to tell you what nobody else is saying about it. My old setup was a pain—wake up at dawn, get the fire going, spend hours adjusting vents. The results were amazing, sure, but who has time for that every weekend? So […]

As the owner of both Monument Grills vs Weber, I’ve spent two years conducting side-by-side testing in my backyard, cooking over 200 meals on each. My family may call it obsession, but after all that dedicated grilling, I know exactly which one is worth your money. Build Quality: What You Actually Get Opening both grills […]

Many outdoor cooking enthusiasts have what looks like a grill dealership on their patios. A sleek pellet grill on one side. A classic black kettle charcoal grill on the other. My family joke about the collection, but there’s a method to this seeming madness. These dedicated grillers use both grills all the time. And through […]

Many of us are passionate about outdoor cooking and own both Grill vs Griddle, using them for different culinary tasks. The inevitable question is, “better?”  That’s like asking if a spoon is better than a fork—the answer depends entirely on what you’re trying to eat. This guide cuts through the noise. It shares direct, no-fluff […]

For the typical backyard chef, the grill is the rapid-fire solution, seeing action three times a week. The smoker is the low-and-slow project, typically appearing just twice a month on weekends. After years of using both Smoker vs Grill for every kind of cook, here are the key lessons I’ve taken away. The Main Difference […]

There’s nothing quite like hearing a perfect steak sizzle on a hot grill during a summer evening. But before that satisfying moment happens, backyard chefs face a big decision: Gas vs Charcoal Grills? This debate has split outdoor cooking fans for decades. Charcoal lovers swear by the authentic smoky flavor. Gas grill fans won’t give […]

Let me clear something up first: The Grilla Grills Mammoth Vertical Smoker Gas-Electric is a pellet smoker, not gas or electric. It burns wood pellets. Just so we’re on the same page. I’ve tested dozens of smokers over the years. Most do the same thing with different branding. The Grilla Grills Mammoth vertical pellet smoker? […]

I used to think my gas grill was pretty good. Then I tasted real smoked brisket at my neighbor’s house. That bite changed everything. The smoky flavor went deep into the meat. The texture was perfect—tender but with a nice crust. I’d been grilling for ten years and never tasted anything like it. “What grill […]

I bought the Royal Gourmet CC1830S, my first offset smoker, on a complete whim. My neighbor Jake had one, and his brisket made me realize everything I’d been grilling was basically garbage. He told me his setup cost less than $200. I didn’t believe him… until two weeks later, when my own showed up on […]

I bought my Brand-Man Charcoal Offset Smoker with an offset smoker last spring. My neighbor had one, and after tasting his brisket, I couldn’t resist. Now, after smoking everything from ribs to whole chickens for twelve months straight, I can tell you exactly what works and what doesn’t. I paid for this myself. I’ve burned […]

My old Weber gas grill still works fine. But last spring, I bought the Grills House ZH3005Y-SC anyway. Why? Because I got tired of choosing between gas and charcoal. I wanted both. Plus smoking. And a side burner for my baked beans. I wanted it all in one package. Three months later, I can tell […]

I’ll never forget the day my Longhorn arrived. Two delivery guys wheeled this 226-pound beast up my driveway, and my wife gave me that look. You know the one. The “this better be worth it” look. Four years later? Best BBQ decision I ever made. Let me tell you everything I’ve learned about the Oklahoma […]

I bought the Feasto CG3019S last spring after my old kettle grill finally died. Best $189 I’ve spent on outdoor cooking gear, hands down. Let me tell you why this grill has become the center of every weekend at my house. Why I Chose the CG3019S (And Why You Might Too) My buddy Tom hosts […]

I’ve been cooking on charcoal grills for fifteen years. I’ve burned through cheap models that rusted out in a season. I’ve envied neighbors with thousand-dollar smokers. And I’ve spent countless Saturday afternoons flipping burgers for crowds of hungry friends who always show up right when the coals are perfect. So when I needed to replace […]

I’ve owned two Charbroil Pro Series grills over the past two years. The first was a 3-burner model that I bought in 2023. Earlier this year, I upgraded to the 4-burner with a side burner. This review comes from real experience – the good, the bad, and the burnt burgers. Let me start with why […]

I bought my Kamado Joe Classic Joe III eight months ago. Before that, I owned a gas grill for five years. Let me tell you – switching to this ceramic grill changed everything about how I cook outside. My neighbor still pokes his head over the fence every weekend. “What smells so good?” he asks. […]

Last summer, I made the best grilling decision of my life. I bought a Kamado Joe Classic Joe II and honestly? It changed everything about how I cook outdoors. I’m the chef of a well-known restaurant. After using both gas and ceramic grills for years, I can tell you the difference is huge. Let me […]

I bought my Weber Q1400 electric grill two years ago out of pure frustration. My apartment complex banned gas grills, and I was tired of sad indoor cooking. Best decision I ever made for my tiny balcony. After grilling hundreds of meals on this thing, I’m sharing everything I learned. The good, the bad, and […]

I’ve owned my Kamado Joe Big Joe III for two years now. I also have a Classic III that I bought first. After cooking on both grills weekly, I can tell you exactly what works and what doesn’t. Let me save you the sales pitch and give you the real story about this $3,300 ceramic […]

I’ve owned the Traeger Woodridge Pro for eight months now. I’ve smoked dozens of briskets, countless racks of ribs, and enough pulled pork to feed half my neighborhood. Here’s the truth: this grill changed how I cook outdoors. Before I bought it, I spent weeks reading reviews and comparing specs. I was tired of my […]

After testing over 200 grills and feeding 7 kids countless meals, I thought electric grills were hopeless. Then Weber sent me the Lumin electric grill. Two years later, I own both sizes and use them weekly. Here’s what I learned. Why I Started Testing Electric Grills View Deal Here Check Price on Amazon Running The […]

After testing hundreds of grills over the years, I thought I’d seen it all. Then Weber dropped the Summit Kamado S6 on my doorstep, and honestly, I didn’t know what to expect. A steel kamado? From Weber? It sounded like mixing oil and water. Two years later, I can tell you exactly what this grill […]

I’ve owned both the Weber Smokey Mountain 18 and Weber Smokey Mountain 22 for over five years now. Let me tell you why these little black bullets changed my BBQ game forever. On my weekends, I’m starting a smoking adventure that’ll have them drooling over my fence. The Weber Smokey Mountain isn’t just another piece […]

Feeding seven kids means I need grills that work fast and work right. After testing countless grills, I found one that changed how I think about charcoal cooking: the Weber Performer Deluxe. This isn’t just another kettle grill with fancy marketing. It’s Weber’s answer to every parent who wants real charcoal flavor but doesn’t have […]