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.
Full disclosure:Amazon.com pays me a small finder's fee when you purchase from them after clicking on a link here, 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. In fact, if you like all the info I give you for free and would like to help me buy charcoal, copy this url link and bookmark it: http://tinyurl.com/yazmwlq
It takes you to Amazon.com and tags anything you buy with my code so I get that small commission. It works on anything from grills to diapers and it has zero impact on the price you pay.
Trailer and Mobile Smokers for Competitors, Caterers, and Restaurants
These are the units the pros use, the caterers and competitors at the major BBQ judgings. You will see them at small ballparks, tailgaters, state fairs, and on FoodTV. If your ribs are the best on the block, it may be time to start pulling a trailer to the horse show on Saturday. Many of these companies will be happy to custom fabricate whatever your heart desires. Please note that many of the commercial indoor units listed in the next section are also available on trailers. Because I have never owned a mobile unit, I have listed them below with little or no comment, and no "Meathead's Hot Stuff Awards."
They offer three inexpensive units. Their Backroads model, shown here, is one of the best bargains on the market. 20" cooking chamber has a convection system to distribute heat evenly over 1000 square inches of cooking surface. Dual high-pressure burners for all-purpose frying. The firebox has a warming tray. Includes a log lighter system with control panel in firebox, temperature gauge, 40 x 20" slide-out work table and storage box and tie-down storage area. Made of 1/4" thick steel, fully welded. 2" square tubing trailer frame has 12" wheels.
Bubba fabricates two nifty reverse flow trailer mounted smokers, and even some deck grills in central Georgia. He will also custom build a rig for you. He knows a bit about the biz because he heads a competition team with a lot of trophies, a catering operation, and sells his own label of BBQ sauce.
Custom and prefab grills and pig cookers. Their "turning grate" allows you to split a whole hog, and with the simple turn of a handle on the outside, rotate the hog 180 degrees.
Their design is quite clever. The chimney appears to be on the wrong side, next to the firebox. That's because there is a steel plate beneath the cooking grates that forces the smoke from the firebox the length of the chamber and allows it to enter the upper half at the end opposite the firebox. It then travels through the cooking chamber to the chimney. Heat radiates up through the plate for cooking. Chose a stock design or have one custom made to your specs.
Dave Klose makes some of the most highly regarded pits. Many of the top competitors use Klose pits. They are not cheap but fit and finish and craftsmanship are top notch. They hold up well and hold up their resale value.
In addition to serious cookers, Klose makes some of the craziest custom pits you've ever seen: A passenger jet shaped pit for Continental Airlines, a beer bottle shaped pit, a phone booth, a baby carriage, trains, you name it. Klose is a bit of a character, too. His personal smoker "Bling Bling" (below) has 24k gold plated wheels, satellite dish and DVR with Hi-Def monitor powered by solar cells, beer coolers, deep fryers, infrared grill, lighting, warming oven, lazy susan, and yes, even a dual stainless steel kitchen sink.
A wide range of options from small to large, from braziers to pit smokers. They are well-built, and their system of hinging two grates together so you can flip a whole mess of chicken or steaks in one easy motion is quite clever. Their Pig Roaster 60T is a nifty, low cost ($1,485) charcoal fired mobile unit that can barbecue and grill anything, and there's enough room for two whole hogs.
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.
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.
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.
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This link takes you to Amazon.com and tags anything you buy with my affiliate code so I get a small referral fee. It works on anything from grills to diapers and it has zero impact on the price you pay. Low prices, fast delivery, and good refund policies are the best reasons to buy from Amazon.com, but clicking on that link before you shop helps me devote more time and money to you. Thanks!
Meathead's Faves
These recommendations are not ads. They are unsolicited endorsements.
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.
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