Gifts for Grillers and BBQ Lovers
Grillers take pride in the fire and quietly know their weak spots: overcooked chicken, a flare-up, a brisket that came out dry. The best gifts fix those problems, like an accurate thermometer or a chimney starter. Or they feed the habit with rubs, wood and a book by someone who smokes meat for a living.
Under $25 9 ideas
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See it on Amazon: OXO Good Grips 16 Inch Locking Tongs (opens in a new tab)
OXO Good Grips 16 Inch Locking Tongs
Long enough to keep hands away from the coals and strong enough to flip a whole rack of ribs. The scalloped tips grip without tearing meat.
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See it on Amazon: Weber 12 Inch Three-Sided Grill Brush (opens in a new tab)
Weber 12 Inch Three-Sided Grill Brush
Cleans the top and both sides of each grate at once. Clean grates stop food sticking and give better sear marks.
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See it on Amazon: Meat Church Holy Gospel BBQ Rub (opens in a new tab)
Meat Church Holy Gospel BBQ Rub
A blend of two of the Texas company's best-sellers, savory with a little heat, and good on brisket, chicken and pork. Grillers who watch BBQ videos will know the name.
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See it on Amazon: Killer Hogs The BBQ Rub (opens in a new tab)
Killer Hogs The BBQ Rub
A sweet and savory competition rub from a championship pitmaster. Gives ribs and pork shoulder a good bark without much effort.
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See it on Amazon: Blues Hog Original BBQ Sauce (opens in a new tab)
Blues Hog Original BBQ Sauce
A thick, sweet Kansas City-style sauce popular with competition teams. Brushed on at the end, it gives ribs a glossy glaze.
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See it on Amazon: Bryco Goods Pink Butcher Paper Roll (opens in a new tab)
Bryco Goods Pink Butcher Paper Roll
Unwaxed paper for wrapping brisket mid-cook in the Texas style. It keeps the bark crisp in a way foil does not.
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See it on Amazon: Bear Paws Meat Shredder Claws (opens in a new tab)
Bear Paws Meat Shredder Claws
Shreds a pork shoulder in a couple of minutes and lets them lift hot roasts. Faster than two forks and more fun to use.
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See it on Amazon: Western Premium BBQ Products Hickory Wood Chunks (opens in a new tab)
Western Premium BBQ Products Hickory Wood Chunks
Chunks of hickory to add to a charcoal grill or smoker for a classic smoky flavor. Chunks smolder longer than chips, which means less fussing.
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See it on Amazon: Ove Glove Hot Surface Handler (opens in a new tab)
Ove Glove Hot Surface Handler
A flexible heat-resistant glove that lets them adjust grates, move a chimney or lift a hot pan. Better grip than a bulky oven mitt.
Under $50 5 ideas
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See it on Amazon: Weber Rapidfire Chimney Starter (opens in a new tab)
Weber Rapidfire Chimney Starter
Lights charcoal evenly in about fifteen minutes with a sheet of newspaper and no lighter fluid. The food will not taste of chemicals.
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See it on Amazon: Lodge Cast Iron Reversible Grill/Griddle (opens in a new tab)
Lodge Cast Iron Reversible Grill/Griddle
Flat on one side for smash burgers and breakfast, ridged on the other, and it fits over two burners or a grill grate. Makes the grill a lot more versatile.
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See it on Amazon: Jealous Devil All Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal (opens in a new tab)
Jealous Devil All Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal
Dense South American hardwood lump charcoal that burns hot and long with little ash. A favorite of kamado and kettle owners.
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See it on Amazon: Franklin Barbecue: A Meat-Smoking Manifesto (opens in a new tab)
Franklin Barbecue: A Meat-Smoking Manifesto
Aaron Franklin explains fire, wood and brisket in detail from one of the most famous BBQ joints in Texas. More about understanding smoke than following recipes.
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See it on Amazon: Meathead: The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling (opens in a new tab)
Meathead: The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling
From the founder of AmazingRibs.com, this book takes apart BBQ myths with real testing. Good for the griller who likes to argue about technique.
Under $100 2 ideas
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See it on Amazon: ThermoPro TP20 Wireless Meat Thermometer (opens in a new tab)
ThermoPro TP20 Wireless Meat Thermometer
Two probes and a wireless receiver mean they can watch the smoker and the meat temperature from the couch. A long-time favorite for long cooks.
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See it on Amazon: Victorinox Fibrox Pro 12 Inch Slicing Knife with Granton Blade (opens in a new tab)
Victorinox Fibrox Pro 12 Inch Slicing Knife with Granton Blade
A long, thin slicer that cuts brisket cleanly in one stroke instead of sawing and shredding it. The knife many BBQ restaurants use.
$100 and up 3 ideas
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See it on Amazon: ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE (opens in a new tab)
ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE
Reads accurately in about one second, so the lid is open for less time. The thermometer pitmasters and chefs rely on, and it is built to last.
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See it on Amazon: Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill, 22 Inch (opens in a new tab)
Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill, 22 Inch
The classic charcoal kettle, with an ash catcher that makes cleanup easy. Grills, smokes and sears well, and lasts for years.
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See it on Amazon: Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker, 18 Inch (opens in a new tab)
Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker, 18 Inch
A charcoal smoker that holds a steady low temperature for hours with little babysitting. Many competition cooks started on one.