Ad for Barbecue Accessories Ad for Barbecue Thermometers
AmazingRibs.com, The Zen of Barbecue & Grilling masthead

The Definitive Buyer's Guide and Reviews of Smokers, Grills, Cooking Accessories, Tools, Gadgets, Books, Magazines, Sauces, Ingredients, and More

Product Reviews and Meathead's Hot Stuff Awards

Hot Stuff AwardThese 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.

This section is about tools and toys. Here's where I get to comment on the huge range of smokers, grills, accessories, gadgets, books, magazines, sauces, and the ingredients in my recipes. I think you'll have no difficulty determining what I like and dislike. 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.

Buyer's guide to smokers

How to buy a smoker. Here's a checklist of features and bugs, and questions to ask before you buy.

Best charcoal fueled smokers. You will be amazed at the variety of options.

Best pellet smokers. These are very sophisticated devices, and because pellets are wood, you can use them in most barbecue competitions.

Best gas smokers. Gas smokers are great, especially in cold weather. There are some great bargains to be had.

Best electric smokers. Set it and forget it!

Mobile & trailer mounted. So everybody says you make the best ribs ever and the your church has asked you to cook at its picnic. Is it time to turn pro?

Commercial indoor smokers. "You're such a good cook" your friends say. "You oughta open a restaurant!" Don't do it! But if you must, here's what you'll need.

Stovetop smokers. These small gizmos are great for smoking indoors or over a campfire.

Pig roasters. Here are some gismos if you want to go whole hog.

Buyer's guide to grills

How to buy a grill. There are hundreds of grills on the market. Here's a checklist of things to look for in making your selection.

Charcoal grills vs. Gas grills. Meathead settles the argument once and for all.

Everything else a cook needs and then some

Guide to thermometers. The secret to properly cooked and safe food is a good thermometer. But not all thermometers are created equal. Here's what you need to know and Meathead's recommendations.

All the gotta have BBQ accessories. A growing list of tools and toys that make you a better outdoor cook.

Required kitchen accessories. A list of what every kitchen needs.

Bar necessities. A list of what you need to make sure you serve your drinks in style.

All about corkscrews. They do not have to be torture devices. The best are user friendly. Really.

Brew for cue, wine for swine, and booze too. The secret to matching the drink with ribs is in the sauce.

Best cookbooks, books, and mags. There are numerous good books and magazines on barbecue and cooking. Here are some of my favorites and links to buy them on Amazon.com.

My favorite commercial sauces. There are hundreds, perhaps thousands, of commercial barbecue sauces. I taste as many as I can get my hands on. Here are my faves.

My favorite ingredients. Here is a partial list of some of the ingredients I use in my recipes.

Aprons, hats, & T-shirts. Fun things to wear.

Meathead's photo gear. With the exception of some of the products in the Buyers' Guide section of this site, I do all my own photography. Here's my toolkit and some tips on how to shoor foodporn.


Barbecue Accessories


Important Info About This Website

AmazingRibs  Barbecue logoAmazingRibs.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.

Barbecue Hot Stuff AwardsProduct 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.

Copyright © 2009 by Craig "Meathead" Goldwyn. Unless otherwise noted, all text, recipes, photos, and code are owned by Meathead and fully protected by US copyright law. This means you need my written permission to publish or distribute anything on this website. But I'm easy. To get reprint rights, click here. Note: Some product photos were provided by the manufacturers and under their copyright.

Bookmark and Share



Meathead the Barbecue Lover Cartoon
Get new tips & recipes

Get "Smoke Signals," Meathead's free eletter. No spam. Guaranteed.


Keep this site free!

Buy Meathead some meat so he can work up some new recipes.

barbecue hatWith 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.

Click here for more info and pictures of the hat.


Meathead's Faves

GrillGrates Take Your Grill Into the Infrared ZoneHot Stuff Barbecue Award

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.

grill grates

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.

Weber Barbecue Smokenator

The Weber Smokey Mountain

Weber Smokey Mountaain Barbecue Grill

I am a big fan of the Weber Smokey Mountain Smokers. Click here to read my review.

Click here to order the 18.5" WSMbarbecue or the 22.5" WSMbarbecue from Amazon.



Get free standard shipping when you order $150 or more from Kansas City Steak Company.
BBQGuys.com