← Grillguide

The Blog

97 articles · updated August 2026

Latest · Article

Curing Bacon at Home (Basic Dry Cure)

How to cure and smoke a pork belly for homemade bacon: pink salt ratios, dry cure application, cure time by thickness, rinsing, smoking, and slicing for the best home-cured bacon.

August 3, 2026·9 min read
All articles
Article

Keeping Charcoal & Pellets Dry

How moisture affects charcoal and pellets, proper storage containers, how to tell if charcoal or pellets have gotten wet, and what to do with moisture-damaged fuel before you lose a cook.

August 2, 20269 min read
Comparison

Plank vs Direct Grilling for Fish

Cedar plank grilling vs direct grill cooking for salmon and other fish — flavor, sticking prevention, cook control, and when each method produces better results.

August 2, 20268 min read
Comparison

Butcher Paper vs Foil Wrap

Butcher paper vs foil for wrapping brisket and pork shoulder — bark quality, cook time, moisture retention, and which wrap to choose for your goals.

August 1, 20268 min read
Article

Burnt Ends: Brisket & Pork Belly Methods

How to make burnt ends from brisket point and pork belly — cube size, sauce application, second cook time, and the caramelization technique that produces the candy-like crust.

August 1, 20269 min read
Comparison

Best Wireless Meat Probes

Top wireless meat thermometers for BBQ — true wireless vs. Bluetooth probe systems, temperature accuracy, range, app experience, and which probes survive a 12-hour smoke.

July 31, 202611 min read
Comparison

Best Vacuum Sealers for BBQ & Bulk Meat

Top vacuum sealers for BBQ cooks: edge sealers for daily use, chamber sealers for bulk processing, and what specs matter for sealing marinated meat, bulk buys, and long-term freezer storage.

July 31, 202611 min read
Comparison

Best Tailgate Cooking Setups

Top tailgate cooking setups — portable charcoal grills, propane burners, flat-top griddles, and compact smokers that pack in a truck bed and produce stadium-worthy BBQ in a parking lot.

July 30, 202611 min read
Comparison

Best Smoker Gasket & Mod Kits

Top smoker gasket seals and mod kits for offset and barrel smokers — high-temp rope gaskets, RTV silicone sealers, and tuning plate kits that fix leaks, even heat, and hold temperature.

July 30, 202611 min read
Comparison

Best Brisket & Slicing Knives

Top slicing knives for brisket, pork shoulder, and large BBQ cuts — blade length, grind type, handle ergonomics, and which knives hold an edge through a holiday cook.

July 29, 202611 min read
Comparison

Best Seafood Grilling Tools & Planks

Top seafood grilling tools — fish baskets, cedar planks, shellfish grates, and the tools that solve the sticking, flipping, and heat management problems that make grilling fish difficult.

July 29, 202611 min read
Comparison

Best Sausage Stuffers

Top sausage stuffers from vertical piston to horizontal crank — what to look for in cylinder capacity, tube diameter, and build quality for clean links every time.

July 28, 202611 min read
Comparison

Best Santa Maria & Argentine-Style Grills

Top Santa Maria and Argentine asado grills — adjustable grate height, firebox capacity, build quality, and which setups handle whole animals and open-fire cooking at any scale.

July 28, 202611 min read
Comparison

Best Rotisserie Kits by Grill Type

Top rotisserie kits for Weber gas, charcoal kettles, and kamado grills — motor torque, spit rod length, basket accessories, and which setups handle whole chickens, pork shoulders, and rib…

July 27, 202611 min read
Comparison

Best Pellet Storage Bins & Dispensers

Top pellet storage containers and dispensers — airtight seals, capacity, UV protection, and gravity-fed systems that keep pellets dry and move them from bin to hopper without a scoop.

July 27, 202611 min read
Comparison

Best Meat Injectors & Brine Kits

Top meat injectors for BBQ: stainless barrel vs. plastic, needle types, volume capacity, and kits that include flavor injectors and brine seasoning for brisket, pork butt, and turkey.

July 26, 202611 min read
Comparison

Best Meat Grinders for Home Use

Top meat grinders for home BBQ and sausage making: electric stand models, heavy-duty standalone units, and what specs actually matter for consistent grinds.

July 26, 202611 min read
Comparison

Best Jerky Racks & Dehydrators

Top dehydrators and jerky racks for home jerky making — tray count, airflow design, temperature range, wattage, and which units dry jerky evenly without constant tray rotation.

July 25, 202611 min read
Comparison

Best Kamado Accessories & Deflector Stones

Top kamado grill accessories — heat deflectors, divide-and-conquer setups, cast iron grates, pizza stones, and the accessories that unlock every cooking mode on a Big Green Egg or Kamado…

July 25, 202611 min read
Comparison

Best Grill Prep Tables & Outdoor Carts

Top outdoor prep tables and grilling carts — surface material, weight capacity, storage, mobility, and which setups give you a full outdoor kitchen workflow without the permanent…

July 24, 202611 min read
Comparison

Best Grill Lights for Night Cooking

Top grill lights for night BBQ — magnetic mount vs. clamp, LED brightness, heat resistance, and battery life for the serious backyard cook who doesn't stop when the sun goes down.

July 24, 202611 min read
Comparison

Best Fire Pit Cooking Grates & Tripods

Top fire pit cooking grates, tripods, and swing arms — grate size, material, heat rating, and the setups that turn a backyard fire pit into a functional open-fire cooking station.

July 23, 202611 min read
Comparison

Best Drum Smokers (UDS-Style)

Top drum smokers and UDS-style cookers — capacity, airflow control, temperature stability, and which 55-gallon and purpose-built drums handle long cooks without babysitting.

July 23, 202611 min read
Comparison

Best Cutting Boards for Brisket & Large Cuts

Top cutting boards for BBQ slicing — juice groove depth, surface area, material (wood vs. plastic vs. composite), and which boards handle a full packer brisket without sliding or pooling.

July 22, 202611 min read
Comparison

Best Charcoal Baskets & Heat Deflectors

Top charcoal baskets, Slow 'N Sear inserts, and heat deflectors for Weber kettles and drum smokers — create two-zone setups, extend burn time, and improve airflow with the right basket.

July 22, 202611 min read
Comparison

Best Butcher Paper, Foil & Wrapping Supplies

Top butcher paper, heavy-duty foil, and BBQ wrapping supplies — pink vs. white paper, foil gauge, pre-cut sheets vs. rolls, and what each wrap does to bark, moisture, and cook time.

July 22, 202611 min read
Comparison

Best Burger Presses & Smash Tools

Top burger presses and smash burger tools — cast iron vs. stainless, handle ergonomics, diameter sizing, and which tools produce the best smash burger crust on a flat top or griddle.

July 21, 202611 min read
Comparison

Best BBQ Temperature Controllers & Fans

Top BBQ temperature controllers and automatic draft fans for charcoal smokers and kettles — pit IQ, Flame Boss, and DigiQ compared for setpoint accuracy, app connectivity, and battery life.

July 21, 202611 min read
Comparison

Best Ash Tools & Cleanout Gear

Top ash removal tools for charcoal grills and smokers — ash vacuums, rakes, cleanout shovels, and which tools work on hot ash without killing your fire management workflow.

July 20, 202611 min read
Comparison

Dehydrator vs Smoker for Jerky

Food dehydrator vs smoker for making jerky — flavor, food safety, consistency, equipment cost, and which method produces better jerky for home production.

July 19, 20268 min read
Guide

How to Smoke a Whole Chicken Start to Finish

Step-by-step guide to smoking a whole chicken — from rub and wood selection to temperature targets and crispy skin techniques. Beginner-friendly with pro tips.

July 15, 20268 min read
Article

Is an Outdoor Pizza Oven Worth It?

Is a pizza oven worth the money? Cost breakdown, learning curve, flavor comparison vs grill pizza stone, and who should buy one vs skip it.

July 15, 20267 min read
Article

Grilling Vegetables: Temps, Timing & Baskets

Master grilling vegetables with the right temps, timing, and tools — from asparagus and corn to zucchini and peppers. Includes basket and skewer recommendations.

July 15, 20267 min read
Comparison

Griddle vs Grill: When to Use Each

Griddle vs grill — how they cook differently, where each one wins, and whether you need both. Side-by-side comparison of flat-top griddles and traditional grills.

July 15, 20266 min read
Comparison

Gas vs Electric vs Charcoal for Apartments

Gas vs electric vs charcoal grills for apartments and condos — what's allowed, what produces the best flavor, and which compact grills fit small spaces.

July 15, 20267 min read
Article

Fire Starters & Chimney Starters Explained

Everything you need to know about chimney starters and fire starter options for charcoal grills — from paraffin cubes to newspaper, and why to skip lighter fluid.

July 15, 20268 min read
Guide

How to Build a Simple Outdoor Grill Station

Build a simple outdoor grill station with basic tools and a weekend — from cinder block bases to lumber frames. Includes materials, features, and weatherproofing tips.

July 15, 20267 min read
Article

Cast Iron on the Grill: Techniques & Care

Master cast iron cooking on the grill — from smash burgers and reverse-seared steaks to proper seasoning maintenance. Includes skillet, griddle, and plancha recommendations.

July 15, 20268 min read
Comparison

Blackstone vs Camp Chef Griddles

Blackstone vs Camp Chef griddle comparison — cooking area, BTU, grease management, wind performance, and which flat-top is right for your outdoor cooking style.

July 15, 20267 min read
Comparison

Outdoor Pizza Oven vs Pizza Stone on a Grill

Pizza oven vs pizza stone — temperature, cook time, crust quality, and cost compared side by side. Find out which makes better pizza for your outdoor setup.

July 15, 20267 min read
Comparison

Best Gas Grills on a Budget — The Smoke Signal

The best gas grills in the mid-range for 2026 — from the Weber Spirit E-325 to budget-friendly Char-Broil. Real products, no fabricated prices or ratings.

July 15, 20267 min read
Comparison

Best Blackstone Accessories — GrillGuide.co

The best Blackstone griddle accessories for 2026 — tool sets, hoods, caddies, and cleaning gear that make flat-top cooking faster and easier.

July 14, 202614 min read
Comparison

Best Pellet Grills Under $1,000 — GrillGuide.co

The best pellet grills under $1,000 in 2026 — real WiFi control, solid build quality, and enough cooking space for a family, without the premium price tag.

July 14, 202614 min read
Comparison

Best Wood Pellets for Smoking — GrillGuide.co

The best wood pellets for smoking in 2026 by wood type and use case — from all-purpose oak blends to mesquite for bold flavor and fruit woods for poultry and fish.

July 14, 202614 min read
Comparison

Kamado Joe vs Big Green Egg — GrillGuide.co

Kamado Joe vs Big Green Egg compared — the two biggest names in ceramic kamado grills, and where each one genuinely pulls ahead of the other.

July 14, 202611 min read
Review

Ninja FlexFlame Review — GrillGuide.co

Ninja FlexFlame review — the propane grill, smoker, griddle, and pizza oven combo from Ninja's first full-size outdoor cooking system, tested against dedicated single-purpose grills.

July 14, 202612 min read
Comparison

Pit Boss vs Traeger — GrillGuide.co

Pit Boss vs Traeger compared — cooking space per dollar versus brand ecosystem and app polish, so you know which pellet grill fits your budget and priorities.

July 14, 202612 min read
Review

Weber Searwood 600 Review — GrillGuide.co

Weber Searwood 600 review — how Weber's second-generation pellet grill fixes the SmokeFire's problems and delivers real 600°F searing alongside low-and-slow smoking.

July 14, 202612 min read
Comparison

Weber vs Traeger — GrillGuide.co

Weber vs Traeger — an honest comparison of two grill giants. Different strengths, different ecosystems, and which brand fits your grilling style better.

July 8, 202610 min read
Comparison

Lump Charcoal vs Briquettes — GrillGuide.co

Lump charcoal vs briquettes — a practical comparison of burn temperature, cook time, flavor, cost, and which type to use for different cooking styles.

July 8, 20268 min read
Comparison

Best Gas Grills on a Budget — GrillGuide.co

The best budget gas grills in 2026 — quality picks under $500 that deliver reliable performance, solid build quality, and great grilling results.

July 8, 202610 min read
Comparison

Best Offset Smokers — GrillGuide.co

The best offset smokers in 2026 from entry-level to premium. Heavy-gauge steel, proper fire management, and the authentic stick-burner experience.

July 8, 202610 min read
Comparison

Best Grill Thermometers — GrillGuide.co

The best grill thermometers in 2026 — instant-read, wireless, and multi-probe options. Accurate temperature monitoring for better grilling and smoking.

July 8, 202610 min read
No articles match. Try different keywords or clear the filter.