The award medallion at right is given to products that are highly recommended, that I have tested personally or that have been tested by reliable sources. Awards are based on features, quality, and value. Rest assured that when I recommend a product, it is really because I like it, not because someone has paid me to say so or because the company is an advertiser or sponsor. I purchase most products I review although occasionally suppliers send me samples.
When a product is available on Amazon.com, I often provide a direct link. Amazon.com often has the best prices anywhere, even better than many manufacturers' websites. That's because manufacturers know that if they undercut retailers, these important resellers may drop their products. In addition to low prices, Amazon.com offers fast delivery (often free), no sales tax (in most states), gift wrapping (on many items), and painless refund policies. Amazon's Gift & Wish Registry is a great way to drop not so subtle hints about what you'd love to get for Christmas, Mother's Day, Dad's Day, your wedding, housewarming, graduation, birthday or other event.
Full disclosure.Amazon.com pays me 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 I give you for free and would like to help me buy charcoal, copy the link below bookmark it. It takes you to Amazon.com and tags anything you buy with my code so I get that small referral fee. It works on anything from grills to diapers and it has zero impact on the price you pay. http://tinyurl.com/yazmwlq
Buying Guide and Reviews of Bar Necessities: Mugs, Coolers, Glassware, Shakers, and More
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.
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.
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.
Tell Meathead what you think, or ask him a question
But please, please, please read this first:
1) Please use the sitemap or the search box, at the top of every page. There's a good chance the answer is already on this site.
2) Please read this article about thermometers.Chances are your thermometer is the problem! I cannot help you troubleshoot unless you tell me that you are using a digital oven thermometer at meat level (not in the lid), and/or a digital meat thermometer. You simply cannot believe your grill's built-in bi-metal dial thermometer. They are often off by as much as 50°F!
3) Please tell me everything I need to know to answer your question.
4) Please don't ask me "What grill (or smoker) should I buy?" Read my Buyer's Guides and follow the links. I've shared just about everything I know on those pages. I cannot pick the right cooker for you any more than you could pick the right car for me. But I've explained everything you need to know to make your decision.
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, rubs, and side dishes, with the net's best buying guide to barbecue smokers and grills. It is written, photographed, illustrated, and coded solely by Meathead.
My 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. I think that people need to know why as well as how, and that there are no rules in the bedroom or dining room.
About Product Reviews and Meathead's Hot Stuff Awards. Meathead's Hot Stuff Awards are highly recommended products that I have tested personally or that have been tested by reliable sources. Awards are based on features, quality, and value. Rest assured that when I recommend a product, it is really because I like it, not because someone has paid me to say so or because the company is an advertiser or sponsor. I purchase most products I review although occasionally suppliers send me samples.
About links on this site. Other than clearly marked ads, links and recommendations on this site are all products, services, and websites I truly admire, and are never paid endorsements. Your suggestions are always welcome. If you would like me to link to your website, click here to read my links policy first. Advertising policy. I do not accept ads from products that I review such as grills, charcoal, etc. Click here for more on my advertising policy.
Meathead's Personal Privacy Promise.I promise to never sell or distribute any info about you individually without your express permission, and I 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. I am human, and capable of mistakes, so I make no guarantees as to the accuracy, completeness, or safety of the information. Under no circumstances am I liable for any damages that result from use of the site (so you can't sue me if you burn your tongue on hot ribs, or get a tummy ache, OK?).
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, smokes, and blocks flareups. This is the concept behind the expensive new infrared 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. No more guesswork. 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 it is inexpensive. Click here for more about thermometers.
This link takes you to Amazon.com and tags anything you buy with my affiliate code so I get a small referral fee. It works on anything from grills to diapers and it has zero impact on the price you pay. Low prices, fast delivery (often free), good refund policies, and often there is no sales tax, are the best reasons to buy from Amazon.com, but clicking on that link before you shop helps me devote more time and money to you. Thanks!
The award medallion at right is given to products that are highly recommended, that I have tested personally or that have been tested by reliable sources. Awards are based on features, quality, and value. Rest assured that when I recommend a product, it is really because I like it, not because someone has paid me to say so or because the company is an advertiser or sponsor. I purchase most products I review although occasionally suppliers send me samples.
is a great way to drop not so subtle hints about what you'd love to get for Christmas, Mother's Day, Dad's Day, your wedding, housewarming, graduation, birthday or other event.
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. 
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, 
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, 
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, 
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, 
has those measures and more, up to 4 ounces when you want to mix doubles.
fits over the top of a cocktail shaker and keeps ice and seeds out of your drink.
is a handy tool with a long twisted handle for stirring drinks. 
.
with a wide mouth, large capacity, steady base, and a good pouring lip. Like this.
of my favorites. They're heavy and clunky, but hard to break, and I love the cool retro look.
with a wider than normal opening so your nose fits in when you sip.
With a $25 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 
