Why settle for the same old bouquet when you can surprise her with a gift that keeps giving — a smoker or grill!
The days of dad ruling over the grill are long gone, as is apparent by the numerous high-profile female pitmasters ruling the airwaves, cookbook aisle, and competition BBQ circuit. Leaders in the space include Melissa Cookston, Amy Mills Tunnicliffe, Robin Medlin Lindars, Danielle “Diva Q” Bennett, Elizabeth Karmel, and many others.
And why should mom’s culinary creations be limited to the kitchen when the addition of live fire and smoke allows her to take food to new levels of flavor? But when it comes to selecting the perfect smoker or grill for her, the sheer number of brands, models, and price points can make it impossible to make a decision.
Fortunately, AmazingRibs.com has on its team Max Good, the only person in the world whose sole job is to do hands-on reviews of the latest smokers and grills. Max has delved into his various platinum or gold medal reviews and selected options priced under $500 in the charcoal grill, gas grill, smoker, and pellet cooker categories.
CHARCOAL GRILLS
Weber Kettle Premium Original 22″
You can’t go wrong with the original Weber kettle, a charcoal grill that is built to last from one generation to the next. Check out our full platinum medal review here and purchase for approximately $219.00 (plus free shipping) here.
PKGO Camp and Tailgate System
Self described as “small but mighty” the new PKGO is beautiful, elegant, clever, effective, and versatile, yet a little pricey for a small, portable charcoal grill. Nonetheless, with PKGO, you get what you pay for, and that means top quality. We say, “Go Man Go”, to PKGO and award it our top, Platinum Medal. Read our full review here and purchase it for approximately $399.99 here.
GAS GRILL
Weber Traveler
If you need a large portable gasser for camping, tailgating or just grilling around town on the weekend, Traveler is a very good choice. There are both less expensive and more expensive cart models, placing Traveler somewhere in a mid-price range. Quality construction and Weber’s excellent customer service merit every penny. Read our review to find out why we give Traveler our AmazingRibs.com Best Value Gold Medal and purchase for approximately $399 here.
Kenmore 4-Burner Gas Grill With Searing Side Burner
This moderately priced 4-burner gas grill is a good option for someone looking for value and functionality. Check out our full gold medal review here and purchase for approximately $499.00 here.
SMOKER
Pit Barrel 18.5-inch Cooker
You’ll be flabbergasted as you create one perfectly smoked delicacy after another with little more effort than preparation. This AmazingRibs.com Platinum Medal winner is $399 delivered to your door. Pop it out of the box and start SMOKIN! Pit Barrel Cooker is one of the more impressive products we’ve tested. Read our review to find out why and purchase for approximately $399 here.
PELLET SMOKERS/GRILLS
Green Mountain Grills TREK Prime
While this grill is widely used for tailgating or for apartment patios, it is also great for anyone interested in a high-quality, entry-level pellet cooker. Check out our full platinum medal review here and purchase for approximately $499.00 here.
PIZZA OVEN
Solo Pi Prime Pizza Oven
From the makers of highly popular fire pits comes an innovative entry into the outdoor pizza oven market — The Solo Pi Prime pizza oven. Read our complete platinum medal review here and purchase for approximately $349.00 here.
GRIDDLE
Blackstone 36″ Griddle Cooking Station
The Blackstone 36″ Griddle Cooking Station is an interesting, low cost, large capacity, portable cook top. Griddles are different from grills and we love our open flames, but boy oh boy….people who own these are nuts about them! And so are we. Check out our review to find why this fun cooker earns our AmazingRibs.com Platinum Medal and purchase for approximately $350 here.
Weber 28-Inch Griddle
Weber has long recognized griller’s love of griddles and steadily provided a variety of add-on griddles over the years, plus the recent addition of stand-alone griddles. Check out our full platinum medal review here and purchase for approximately $449.00 here.
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