Grill Brush Safety Makes Headlines. Griddles Keep Sizzling.
Fueled by high-profile multi-million dollar recalls of metal grill brushes by NexGrill and Weber, 2026 saw a surge in safer brush designs that eliminate or dramatically reduce the hazard of steel wire ingestion that can cause serious injury and require surgery. But, once again, the big news in Best New BBQ Products 2026 is still GRIDDLES! Backyard chefs can’t get enough of them.
Why you can trust us
As Director of Equipment Reviews and Keeper of The Flame here at AmazingRibs.com, I’m the only person in the world whose full-time job is testing, researching, reviewing, and rating grills and smokers. Sifting through an endless array of BBQ, grilling, and griddling products is both exciting and daunting. Fortunately, I’ve recruited our stellar team of experts at AmazingRibs.com to help cut through the clutter with hands-on, unbiased reviews to help you choose the BBQ gear that best meets your needs.
We measure temperatures, slam lids, turn dials, study warranties, kick casters, cook a lot of food, and consider look, feel, functionality, durability, and price. Together we maintain the world’s largest searchable database of more than 600 outdoor cooker ratings and reviews. Our Best New BBQ Products 2026 are hand-selected from this extensive database.
BBQ trends for 2026
What’s new this year? We’ve all heard about the dangers presented by metal grill brushes for some time. Those thin, sharp wires can and do break off. Swallow one and you may be Emergency Room bound. Enormous recalls from barbecue industry giants put a spotlight on the reality of this hazard. Thankfully, we discovered effective alternatives exist. Interest in pizza ovens and pellet smokers remains strong, although signs of fatigue and market saturation are starting to show. We note a slow, but steady continuation of growth in wireless technology, thermostatic control and electric power. And did I mention GRIDDLES? You’ll see all of those trends reflected in our staff picks of the Best New BBQ Products 2026, including grills, smokers, griddles, thermometers, tools, and more.
