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All Buyer's Guides
AmazingRibs.com does not make or sell anything, but we love toys and we are happy to share our opinions of them.
Smoker Reviews & Ratings
 How To Buy A Smoker Overview
Charcoal Smokers
Egg, Kamado, Ceramic Grills/Smokers
Large Capacity, Restaurant & Trailer Smokers
Electric Smokers
Gas Smokers
Pellet Grills/Smokers
Stovetop Smokers
Pig Roasters
Wood Burning Pizza Ovens
Grill Reviews & Ratings
How To Buy A Grill Overview
The Differences Between Charcoal & Gas Grills
Charcoal Grill Reviews & Ratings
Egg, Kamado, Ceramic Grills/Smokers
Pellet Grills/Smokers
Gas Grills
Tailgate Grills & Portable Grills
Grills Gone Wild
More Reviews & Ratings
Thermometers & Thermostats
Barbecue Accessories
Kitchen Tools
Outdoor Kitchen Planning
Cookbooks, Magazines, Videos
Barbecue Sauces
Bar Necessities
Corkscrews
Funny Aprons, Hats, T-shirts, Tschotschkes
Meathead's Favorite Ingredients
Photography Gear
How We Review Products
We purchase many products we review although occasionally suppliers send us samples. We make it clear in our reviews when we are working with a sample. Here's a key to our reviews.
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We have hands-on experience testing this product. We have also gathered info from the manufacturer, owners, and other reliable sources.
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We have seen this product up close and we have also gathered info from the manufacturer, owners, and other reliable sources.
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We have researched this product from afar by gathering info from the manufacturer, owners, and other reliable sources, with our BS meters on high.
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Reviewers
Many reviews are by Meathead, the author of most things on this website. In 2011 Scot Murphy and Gordon Hubbell joined him to help with the Buyer's Guides. The author of each product's review is named at the end of the writeup.
Best In BBQ Medals
 Best In BBQ Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals are given only to products that we highly recommend based on price. Awards are based on features, quality, and value. Price is an important factor. Rarely will a $400 Gold Medal be in the same league as an $800 Gold Medal, so it is important that you read the reviews. Rest assured that when we award a medal, it is because we are impressed by it for the price, not because someone has paid us to say so or because the company is an advertiser or sponsor. Manufacturers: Click here for permission to use these medals in ads and on packaging (there is no charge) and for info on how to get a high resolution version.
About Model Numbers
Manufacturers often make slight variations to their basic model exclusively for certain merchants. For example, a grill manufacturer might make their Firebrand Grill Model ABC123 with cast iron grates available only on Amazon. Meanwhile, the ABC125 is identical except it has stainless steel grates, and it is sold only at ACE Hardware. Of course the prices can differ.
Your Amazon Purchase Supports This Site
When a product is available on Amazon.com, we often provide a direct link. Amazon often has the best prices anywhere, even better than many manufacturers' websites because manufacturers know that if they undercut retailers like Amazon, they may drop the products. Amazon also offers fast delivery (often free), no sales tax (in most states), gift wrapping (on many items), and painless refund policies. Check out Amazon's Gift & Wish Registry .
Amazon pays AmazingRibs Inc. a small referral fee when you purchase from them after clicking on a link on this site, so purchasing from them helps underwrite the cost of operating AmazingRibs.com.
If you like all the info we give you for free and would like to help us buy charcoal, please copy the link below and save it. It takes you to Amazon.com and tags things you buy with the AmazingRibs code so we get that referral fee. It works on anything from grills to diapers and it has zero impact on the price you pay. http://tinyurl.com/3rlglce
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Buying Guide and Reviews of Bar Necessities: Mugs, Coolers, Glassware, Shakers, and More
By Meathead
Here is a list of what you need to make sure you serve your drinks in style.
 Amazing Ribs steins. Heft a cold one in this 22 ounce ceramic stein with gold trim. We have a range of mugs that say "BBQ God", "Jeet?", "Got Ribs?", "iRibs", "Eat Me", and more. Dishwasher and microwave safe. We have coffee mugs and clothing with these fun captions. Sold through CafePress.com.
Amazon's mug selection
Amazon.com has an unbelievable selection of beer mugs including team logo mugs. I prefer a mug with a lid to keep out flies and ash. To see them all, click here
 German Beer Stein with Octoberfest Beer Wagon. This beautiful ceramic beer stein with pewter lid was handcrafted in Germany by Zoeller & Born. The handpainted antique style relief shows a beer wagon with a German village in the background. This 1/2 liter stein is about 9.75" tall. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, click here.
 Homer Simpson Beer Stein. Glass stein shows Homer saying, "Beer... now there's a temporary solution." The pewter lid has Simpson's logo embossed on it. Made in Germany. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, click here.
 Moe's Tavern Lidded Beer Stein. A glass stein with a pewter lid and on the side are characters from Moe's Tavern of Simpson's fame. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, click here.
 Team Lidded Beer Stein. A snazzy glass stein with a pewter lid and your team's logo in pewter on the side. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, click here.
 Jack Daniel's Lidded Beer Stein & Shot Glass. This mug has a fired-on Jack Daniel's portrait and logo and the phrase "Enjoyed in fine establishments and questionable joints everywhere." There is a matching shot glass stored on the pewter lid. A starburst light-reflecting pattern is on the bottom of the stein. The 14 ounce stein and 2 ounce shot glass measure 9" high with shot glass on top. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, click here.
 Coleman 40 Quart Cooler. Capacious (67 cans), with can holders in the lid, large wheels, a long tow handle, and a drain plug. The manufacturer says it is sturdy enough to sit on, keeps ice for 6-7 days at ambient temperatures up to 90°F. Oh yeah: You can keep your meats and marinades in it too. For discount pricing on the 40 quart and direct ordering from Amazon.com, click here. For discount pricing on the 50 quart and direct ordering from Amazon.com, click here.
Jigger. You needs one at least 1.5 ounce capacity, that's a full jigger. But it must also have a marking for 1 ounce, a pony. This cocktail measuring beaker has those measures and more, up to 4 ounces when you want to mix doubles.
Cocktail shaker. There are scores of designs of cocktail shakers. I like the kind with a built-in strainer.
Hawthorn-style cocktail strainer. The Hawthorn-style cocktail strainer
fits over the top of a cocktail shaker and keeps ice and seeds out of your drink.
Bar spoon. The Rattleware 11.5" twist spoon
is a handy tool with a long twisted handle for stirring drinks.
Citrus juicer. You need a way to get the juice from that lime, lemon, or orange and keep the seeds out. Here's a good citrus juicer .
Wine decanter. You want a wine decanter with a wide mouth, large capacity, steady base, and a good pouring lip. Like this.
Corkscrew. There are more designs for this vital tool than grill designs. To discuss their strengths and weaknesses, I have written a separate article just about corkscrews.
Glassware
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 I need it because it is much classier than drinking from the bottle. Click the headline to order on Amazon.
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Here's a link to the huge range of glassware choices on Amazon.
Beer pint glasses. I like having a mug (above) when I'm outdoors, but at the dinner table I prefer a nice pint glass, the kind you might be served in an Irish pub.
Collins glasses & rocks glasses. Here's a link to a 16 piece set of my favorites. They're heavy and clunky, but hard to break, and I love the cool retro look.
Martini glasses. Martini glasses have become an artform. Some are quite elegant, whimsical, even spectacular. I have about 20, no two alike, so people can sit them down and remember which is theirs.
All purpose wine glasses. I buy wine glasses by the case. Nothing fancy, just a nice all purpose tulip
with a wider than normal opening so your nose fits in when you sip.
Champagne flutes. As with the martini glasses, I have about 20 champagne flutes, no two alike, so people can tell them apart. Go for clear glass with a trumpet lip so the wine spills gently on your tongue. Sucking the wine out of straight-sided flutes pops the bubbles and makes lovely ladies belch.
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Read this before posting a comment please:
1) If you are looking for info, please use the table of contents or the search box, at the top of every page.
2) Don't ask me any questions that involve temp or time unless you tell me that you are using a digital thermometer! Bi-metal dial thermometers are often off by as much as 50°F! If you are not using a good digital you have no idea what the temp really is so I can't help you. If you are still using a dial thermometer, please read this article about thermometers, then buy a good digital, and then, if the problem persists (chances are it won't), hit me with your questions. Then, please tell me everything I need to know to answer your question. Like the type of cooker you are using. Remember, I am not a mind reader.
3) Please don't ask me "What grill (or smoker) should I buy?" Read my Buyer's Guides and the buying checklists and follow the links. I've shared just about everything I know. Pay attention to the awards I have given my faves. I cannot pick the right cooker for you any more than I could pick the right car or spouse for you.
4) If you have problems posting with Internet Explorer, please read this. If problems persist, send me a note.
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Important Info About This Website
 AmazingRibs.com is all about the Zen of barbecue, grilling, and outdoor cooking, with great BBQ recipes and techniques: Barbecue baby back ribs, spareribs, pulled pork, beef brisket, steak, burgers, chicken, smoked turkey, lamb, barbecue sauces, burgers, steaks, rubs, and side dishes, with the world's best buying guide to barbecue smokers and grills. It is written, photographed, illustrated, and coded solely by Meathead.
AmazingRibs.com is published by AmazingRibs, Inc., a Florida Corporation.
Our philosophy about food is simple. First of all it must taste great. It must be easy to make and emphasize fresh seasonal products with a minimum of processed ingredients. We think that people need to know why as well as how, so we spend a lot of time explaining things, and we believe that there are no rules in the bedroom or dining room.
 About Product Reviews and Best in BBQ Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals are highly recommended products. Awards are based on features, quality, and value. Rest assured that when we recommend a product, it is really because we like it, not because someone has paid us to say so or because the company is an advertiser or sponsor. We purchase most products we review although occasionally suppliers send us samples. We have always been transparent about when we are reviewing a product sample, even before the Federal Trade Commission Required it in 2009.
About links on this site. Other than clearly marked ads, links and recommendations on this site are all products, services, and websites we truly admire, and are never paid endorsements. Your suggestions are always welcome. If you would like us to link to your website, click here to read our links policy first.
Advertising on this site. AmazingRibs.com is one of the 100 most popular food websites in the US according to comScore, Alexa, and Quantcast. It is by far the most popular barbecue website in the world and pageviews double every year. Advertising on AmazingRibs.com is a great way to build your brand or make direct sales. I keep a strict wall between editorial and advertising, so, for current pricing and availability of prime space, contact my agency, Federated Media, by clicking the logo at right. Click here for analytics, stats, demographics, and advertising options.
Our Privacy Promise. AmazingRibs, Inc. promises to never sell or distribute any info about you individually without your express permission, and we promise not to, ahem, pepper you with email or make you eat spam. Click here for more details of my privacy promise.
Disclaimer. The information on this website is for educational purposes only. All material within comes without warranties of any kind. The authors are human and capable of mistakes, omissions, or errors, so we make no guarantees as to the accuracy, completeness, or safety of the information. Under no circumstances are we liable for any damages that result from use of the site (so you can't sue us if you don't like a recipe or if you burn your tongue on hot ribs, OK?).
Copyright © 2011 by AmazingRibs, Inc. Unless otherwise noted, all text, recipes, photos, and code are owned by AmazingRibs, Inc and fully protected by US copyright law. This means you need written permission to republish or distribute anything on this website. But we're easy. To get reprint rights, click here. Note: Some photos of commercial products such as grills were provided by the manufacturers and under their copyright.
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Save this link to
keep this site free!
http://tinyurl.com/3usxwaj
This link takes you to Amazon and tags anything you buy with a code so I get a referral fee. It works on anything from grills to diapers and it has zero impact on the price you pay. The best reasons to buy from Amazon are low prices, fast often free delivery, fair return policies, and often there is no sales tax. But clicking on that link before you shop helps me devote more time and money to you. Thanks!
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Donate to keep this site free!
 With a $30 donation you'll get a 100% cotton brushed twill adjustable low profile cap with the AmazingRibs patch sewn on. I'll even toss in a small bag of BBQ'rs Delight wood smoke pellets. Click here for more info.
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AmazingRibs.com Best in BBQ Gold Medal Winners
Here are three great products that have earned The AmazingRibs.com Best in BBQ Gold Medals. These are not ads!
GrillGrates Take You To 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. The base superheats, eliminates hot spots, and blocks flareups. This is the concept behind the expensive new infrared grills. A must for gas grills. Click here for more about GrillGrates.
The Smokenator: A Necessity For Weber Kettles
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 create steakhouse steaks. Click here to read more.
ThermoWorks Pocket Thermometer - No More Guessing
A good thermometer is why I never serve overcooked or undercooked food. This one has a very thin tip with a tiny thermocouple so it gives an accurate reading in just six seconds. I cannot recommend it more highly. It will improve your cooking overnight and pay for itself in a hurry. And it is inexpensive. Click here for more about thermometers.
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