The Outdoor Cook’s Guide to Grills, Smokers & Everything In Between
Honest gear reviews, tested comparisons, and no-fluff advice for backyard cooks who take the craft seriously.
What Are You Cooking?
Find the right gear for your style — whether you’re smoking a brisket or firing up a Friday night pizza.
Pellet Grills
Set-it-and-forget-it smoking with real wood flavor.
See Rankings →Offset Smokers
Traditional stick-burners for serious pitmasters.
See Rankings →Pizza Ovens
900°F Neapolitan pizza in your own backyard.
See Rankings →Flat-Top Griddles
The most versatile outdoor cooker you’re not using.
See Rankings →Outdoor Kitchens
Full build guides from $2K starter to $25K dream setup.
See Builds →Accessories
Thermometers, covers, pellets, and tools worth buying.
Shop Picks →The Grills We’d Buy Right Now
Three recommendations for three different budgets. All tested. No sponsored placements.
Traeger Pro 575
The right first pellet grill for most people. WiFire app, 575 sq in, and rock-solid temperature hold. Buy this and don’t look back.
Check Price on AmazonCamp Chef Woodwind Pro 36
The best overall pellet grill at any price. Best-in-class smoke flavor, easiest cleanup, and enough real estate to feed a crowd.
Check Price on AmazonOoni Karu 12G
Multi-fuel, hits 950°F, and makes genuinely restaurant-quality Neapolitan pizza in 60 seconds. The pizza oven most people end up with after trying one.
Check Price on AmazonGrills Tested
Hands-on performance data across every major brand and price tier.
Sponsored Rankings
No brand pays to appear in our recommendations. Ever.
Affiliate Programs
We earn a small commission when you buy — disclosed on every page.
Updated Annually
Every ranking page is refreshed before each grilling season.
From the Backyard Grilling Blog
Buyer’s guides, format comparisons, and niche deep-dives for every kind of outdoor cook.
Pellet Grill vs. Offset Smoker vs. Kamado — Which Is Right for You?
You’re committed to buying. You just don’t know which format fits how you actually cook. This guide ends that debate.
Read the Guide →Best Grills for Apartments and Small Spaces — No HOA, No Problem
44 million US renters deserve real grilling advice. Every pick here is balcony-legal and HOA-safe.
Read the Guide →Year-Round Smoking — Best Insulated Smokers for Cold-Weather Grilling
Your pellet grill doesn’t have to go in the garage in November. Here’s what keeps cooking when the temperature drops.
Read the Guide →Best Wireless Meat Thermometer of 2026 — The One Accessory Every Serious Cook Buys Second
You bought the grill. Now buy this. ThermoWorks, Meater, and FireBoard compared head-to-head.
Read the Guide →Get the Best Deals Before Everyone Else
Memorial Day sales. New model alerts. Seasonal buying guides. Delivered before the rush.