These are highly recommended products that I have tested personally or that have been tested by reliable sources. Awards are based on features, quality, and value. Rest assured that when I recommend a product, it is really because I like it, not because someone has paid me to say so or because the company is an advertiser or sponsor. I purchase most products I review although occasionally suppliers send me samples.
Manufacturers: Contact Meathead for permission to use this award medallion and to get a high resolution version.
Shopping tip
When a product is available on Amazon.com, I often provide a direct link. Amazon.com often has the best prices anywhere, even better than many manufacturers' websites. That's because manufacturers know that if they undercut retailers, these important resellers may drop their products. Please let me know if you find broken links, discrepancies in model numbers, specs, or prices.
Full disclosure:Amazon.com pays me a small commission, so purchasing from them helps underwrite the cost of operating AmazingRibs.com. But low prices, fast delivery, and good refund policies are the real reasons to buy from Amazon.com.
Buying Guide and Reviews of Bar Necessities: Mugs, Coolers, Glassware, Shakers, and More
Here is a list of what you need to make sure you serve your drinks in style.
Amazing Ribs steins. Heft a cold one in this 22 ounce ceramic stein with gold trim. We have a range of mugs that say "BBQ God", "Jeet?", "Got Ribs?", "iRibs", "Eat Me", and more. Dishwasher and microwave safe. We have coffee mugs and clothing with these fun captions. Sold through CafePress.com.
Amazon's mug selection
Amazon.com has an unbelievable selection of beer mugs including team logo mugs. I prefer a mug with a lid to keep out flies and ash. To see them all. click here
German Beer Stein with Octoberfest Beer Wagon. This beautiful ceramic beer stein with pewter lid was handcrafted in Germany by Zoeller & Born. The handpainted antique style relief shows a beer wagon with a German village in the background. This 1/2 liter stein is about 9.75" tall. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, click here.
Homer Simpson Beer Stein. Glass stein shows Homer saying, "Beer... now there's a temporary solution." The pewter lid has Simpson's logo embossed on it. Made in Germany. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, click here.
Moe's Tavern Lidded Beer Stein. A glass stein with a pewter lid and on the side are characters from Moe's Tavern of Simpson's fame. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, click here.
Team Lidded Beer Stein. A snazzy glass stein with a pewter lid and your team's logo in pewter on the side. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, click here.
Jack Daniel's Lidded Beer Stein & Shot Glass. This mug has a fired-on Jack Daniel's portrait and logo and the phrase "Enjoyed in fine establishments and questionable joints everywhere." There is a matching shot glass stored on the pewter lid. A starburst light-reflecting pattern is on the bottom of the stein. The 14 ounce stein and 2 ounce shot glass measure 9" high with shot glass on top. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, click here.
Coleman 40 Quart Cooler. Capacious (67 cans), with can holders in the lid, large wheels, a long tow handle, and a drain plug. The manufacturer says it is sturdy enough to sit on, keeps ice for 6-7 days at ambient temperatures up to 90F. Oh yeah: You can keep your meats and marinades in it too. For discount pricing on the 40 quart and direct ordering from Amazon.com, click here. For discount pricing on the 50 quart and direct ordering from Amazon.com, click here.
Jigger. You needs one at least 1.5 ounce capacity, that's a full jigger. But it must also have a marking for 1 ounce, a pony. This cocktail measuring beaker has those measures and more, up to 4 ounces when you want to mix doubles.
Cocktail shaker. There are scores of designs of cocktail shakers. I like the kind with a built-in strainer.
Hawthorn-style cocktail strainer. The Hawthorn-style cocktail strainer
fits over the top of a cocktail shaker and keeps ice and seeds out of your drink.
Citrus juicer. You need a way to get the juice from that lime, lemon, or orange and keep the seeds out. Here's a good citrus juicer.
Wine decanter. You want a wine decanter with a wide mouth, large capacity, steady base, and a good pouring lip. Like this.
Corkscrew. There are more designs for this vital tool than grill designs. To discuss their strengths and weaknesses, I have written a separate article just about corkscrews.
Beer pint glasses. I like having a mug (above) when I'm outdoors, but at the dinner table I prefer a nice pint glass, the kind you might be served in an Irish pub.
Collins glasses & rocks glasses. Here's a link to a 16 piece set of my favorites. They're heavy and clunky, but hard to break, and I love the cool retro look.
Martini glasses.Martini glasses have become an artform. Some are quite elegant, whimsical, even spectacular. I have about 20, no two alike, so people can sit them down and remember which is theirs.
All purpose wine glasses. I buy wine glasses by the case. Nothing fancy, just a nice all purpose tulip
with a wider than normal opening so your nose fits in when you sip.
Champagne flutes. As with the martini glasses, I have about 20 champagne flutes, no two alike, so people can tell them apart. Go for clear glass with a trumpet lip so the wine spills gently on your tongue. Sucking the wine out of straight-sided flutes pops the bubbles and makes lovely ladies belch.
This page was revised 5/4/2009
Important Info About This Website
AmazingRibs.com is all about the Zen of Barbecue, cooking ribs, and all kinds of BBQ recipes and techniques: Barbecue baby back ribs, spare ribs, pulled pork, beef brisket, chicken, smoked turkey, steak, lamb, barbecue sauces, rubs, and great side dishes, with the net's best buying guide to barbecue smokers and cookers. It is written, illustrated, and coded solely by Craig "Meathead" Goldwyn.
About links on this site. Other than clearly marked ads, links and recommendations on this site are all products, services, and websites I truly admire, and are never paid endorsements. Your suggestions are always welcome. If you would like me to link to your website, click here to read my links policy first.
Product Reviews and Meathead's Hot Stuff Awards. Meathead's Hot Stuff Awards are highly recommended products that I have tested personally or that have been tested by reliable sources. Awards are based on features, quality, and value. Rest assured that when I recommend a product, it is really because I like it, not because someone has paid me to say so or because the company is an advertiser or sponsor. I purchase most products I review although occasionally suppliers send me samples.
My Privacy Promise.I promise to never sell or distribute any info about you individually without your express permission, and I promise not to, ahem, pepper you with email or make you eat spam. Click here for more about my privacy promise.
Buy Meathead some meat so he can work up some new recipes.
With a $15 donation he'll send you a very cool embroidered iron-on patch.
With a $25 donation you'll get a 100% cotton, brushed twill, adjustable, low profile cap with the patch sewn on. I'll even toss in a small bag of BBQ'rs Delight wood smoke pellets.
GrillGrates Take Your Grill Into the Infrared Zone
GrillGrates are the best new product I have tested in years and the best thing to happen to beef since salt and pepper.
They sit on top of your current grill's grates. The hard anodized aircraft grade aluminum rail tops are flat and wide and make perfect dark crunchy grill marks. The base superheats yet eliminates hot spots and blocks flareups. This is the same concept behind the expensive new infrared grills.
Juices drip in the valleys between the rails and are vaporized and penetrate the meat enhancing flavor. I throw wood between the rails and they impart a delicate smoke flavor. I have made my best steaks and burgers ever with Grill Grates. This is a really great new product! Click here to read more and for ordering info.
The Smokenator
If you have a Weber Kettle, you need the amazing Smokenator and Hovergrill. The Smokenator turns your grill into a first class smoker, and the Hovergrill can add capacity or be used to get steakhouse steaks. Click here to read more and for ordering info.
These are highly recommended products that I have tested personally or that have been tested by reliable sources. Awards are based on features, quality, and value. Rest assured that when I recommend a product, it is really because I like it, not because someone has paid me to say so or because the company is an advertiser or sponsor. I purchase most products I review although occasionally suppliers send me samples.
Amazing Ribs steins. Heft a cold one in this 22 ounce ceramic stein with gold trim. We have a range of mugs that say "BBQ God", "Jeet?", "Got Ribs?", "iRibs", "Eat Me", and more. Dishwasher and microwave safe. We have coffee mugs and clothing with these fun captions. 
German Beer Stein with Octoberfest Beer Wagon. This beautiful ceramic beer stein with pewter lid was handcrafted in Germany by Zoeller & Born. The handpainted antique style relief shows a beer wagon with a German village in the background. This 1/2 liter stein is about 9.75" tall. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, 
Moe's Tavern Lidded Beer Stein. A glass stein with a pewter lid and on the side are characters from Moe's Tavern of Simpson's fame. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, 
Team Lidded Beer Stein. A snazzy glass stein with a pewter lid and your team's logo in pewter on the side. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, 
Jack Daniel's Lidded Beer Stein & Shot Glass. This mug has a fired-on Jack Daniel's portrait and logo and the phrase "Enjoyed in fine establishments and questionable joints everywhere." There is a matching shot glass stored on the pewter lid. A starburst light-reflecting pattern is on the bottom of the stein. The 14 ounce stein and 2 ounce shot glass measure 9" high with shot glass on top. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, 
has those measures and more, up to 4 ounces when you want to mix doubles.
. I like the kind with a built-in strainer.
fits over the top of a cocktail shaker and keeps ice and seeds out of your drink.
is a handy tool with a long twisted handle for stirring drinks. 
.
with a wide mouth, large capacity, steady base, and a good pouring lip. Like this.
of my favorites. They're heavy and clunky, but hard to break, and I love the cool retro look.
with a wider than normal opening so your nose fits in when you sip.
Product Reviews and Meathead's Hot Stuff Awards. Meathead's Hot Stuff Awards are highly recommended products that I have tested personally or that have been tested by reliable sources. Awards are based on features, quality, and value. Rest assured that when I recommend a product, it is really because I like it, not because someone has paid me to say so or because the company is an advertiser or sponsor. I purchase most products I review although occasionally suppliers send me samples.
With a $15 donation he'll send you a very cool embroidered iron-on patch.
or the 
from Amazon.
