Grill, smoker and pizza oven reviews
The useful case for a product, the compromise that matters, and what ownership asks after the box is gone.
Griddles
Blackstone On The Go 22 review: the legs are the product
The same 22 inch plate as the tabletop model, on folding scissor legs with two wheels and a hood, so one person sets it up and one person puts it away dirty. Skip it if it never leaves the patio, because the legs are most of what the extra money buys.
Pellet grills and smokers
Masterbuilt 30-inch Digital Electric Smoker review: easy low-and-slow, nothing more
The controller and electric element remove the fire tending from a long smoke. The tradeoff is a 275°F ceiling that rules out searing and crisp skin.
Pellet grills and smokers
Masterbuilt 40-inch ThermoTemp propane smoker review: for the spot no cord reaches
A four-rack cabinet with a regulator fuel gauge and no need for an outlet. It makes the most sense at a cabin or the far end of a yard, not beside an easy source of power.
Charcoal grills
Oklahoma Joe's Laredo 1100 review: an entry-level offset for people who want the fire
A genuine firebox near the bottom of the offset market. Buy it if tending a fire is part of the hobby. Skip it if the 1,100 in the name made you picture that much room in the main chamber.
Pizza ovens
Ooni Koda 12 review: easy to carry, tight around the pizza
A compact propane oven for 12 inch pizzas. It travels more easily than the Koda 16, but the smaller deck leaves less room to recover from a crooked launch.
Pizza ovens
Ooni Koda 16 review: more room to turn, more oven to store
The larger deck fits 16 inch pizzas and gives smaller pies room to move. It makes sense on a permanent outdoor table, not as an oven you carry out for every cook.
Pellet grills and smokers
Pit Boss 500FB2 review: the same controls with a much smaller hopper
The 500FB2 shares the larger grill's controller, temperature range and direct-flame lever. Its 5 pound hopper needs more checking during long cooks.
Pellet grills and smokers
Pit Boss 700FB2 review: the larger hopper is the reason to step up
The 700FB2 pairs a 21 pound hopper with the same controller and direct-flame lever as the smaller 500FB2. Pay for the extra fuel margin only if your cooks run long enough to use it.
Pellet grills and smokers
Traeger Westwood review: the app arrives, the sear does not
The Westwood is the smaller route into Traeger's WiFIRE app and a 7-year warranty. Its 450°F ceiling makes it a smoker and roaster first, not the grill to buy for a hard sear.
Pellet grills and smokers
Traeger Woodridge Pro review: long-cook convenience at a premium
The large hopper, pellet-level sensor and WiFIRE app reduce the checking around a long cook. The tradeoff is a premium price and no direct-flame path for searing.
Charcoal grills
Weber Jumbo Joe Premium 22 review: the whole kettle, in the trunk
A full-size kettle fire on a frame built to travel. The wheels, handles and lid hook earn their cost on the road and add little when the grill never leaves the patio.
Charcoal grills
Weber Original Kettle 22 review: the default first charcoal grill
A simple 22 inch kettle for direct heat and two-zone cooking. It is an easy first charcoal grill, but the Premium's hinged grate is worth having when long cooks need more fuel.
Charcoal grills
Weber Smokey Joe review: a whole kettle, one round of food
A compact charcoal kettle that fits in a trunk and feeds a small table in one round. Move up to the Jumbo Joe when batch cooking would defeat the reason you brought a grill.
Gas grills
Weber Spirit E-325 review: a practical three-burner with no side burner
A straightforward gas grill for regular family cooking, with cast iron grates and a long limited warranty. It takes nearly four feet of patio and leaves sauce work in the kitchen.