Pro Tips and Techniques
Expert Advice
The expert advice blog is where the ATBBQ team shares what they know — and they know a lot. Chef Tom and the crew have spent years cooking on, testing, and selling the best grills, smokers, and outdoor living equipment available. What ends up here is practical: how to set up and season a new grill, how to troubleshoot a cook that's going sideways, what to look for when you're choosing between two pellet grills, how to build an outdoor kitchen from scratch. If you cook outside or want to, this is worth bookmarking.
The expert advice blog is where the ATBBQ team shares what they know — and they know a lot. Chef Tom and the crew have spent years cooking on, testing, and selling the best grills, smokers, and outdoor living equipment available. What ends up here is practical: how to set up and season a new grill, how to troubleshoot a cook that's going sideways, what to look for when you're choosing between two pellet grills, how to build an outdoor kitchen from scratch. If you cook outside or want to, this is worth bookmarking.
Recent Posts
FAQ
Covered Outdoor Kitchen Ventilation: What You Need
Outdoor kitchen ventilation isn't one purchase — it's two separate jobs that get confused constantly. Here's how to tell whether...
FAQ
How to Reverse Sear a Thick Steak on a Smoker
A great reverse sear comes down to one question: can your grill hold a steady low temperature and reach real...
FAQ
What refrigeration options work best for an outdoor kitchen?
Not every fridge survives a summer on the patio. Here's what actually keeps beverages cold and food safe in a...
FAQ
Best Smoker for Competition Chicken Thighs
Competition chicken is won or lost on consistency, not sear temperature. Here's why a tight ±5°F hold through the braise...
FAQ
How to Choose a BBQ Knife Set for Slicing Brisket
Great brisket can still fall apart on the cutting board if you're sawing with the wrong knife. Here's why blade...
FAQ
How to Get Consistent Smoke Rings Every Cook
Chasing a smoke ring with more wood usually backfires — a ring forms from stable low heat and clean, moving...
FAQ
Can You Cook Steaks on a Pellet Grill? Yes—Here's How
Think pellet grills are only for low and slow? A perfectly seared steak says otherwise. Here's how to get steakhouse...
FAQ
Is a Yoder Smokers Pellet Grill Worth the Price?
Quarter-inch steel, decades of cooks, and a price tag that raises eyebrows. Here's an honest look at whether a Yoder...
FAQ
Best Pellet Grill for Searing: What Actually Works
Craving steakhouse crust from a pellet grill? Here's what really drives searing power — and why heavy-gauge steel beats flashy...
FAQ
Pellet Grills vs Gas Grills: Which Is Better for BBQ?
Gas is fast and familiar, but pellet grills bring real wood smoke to your backyard. Here's how they actually stack...
FAQ
Pellet Grill Temperature Swings: How to Fix Them
Temperature swinging on your pellet grill? Before you touch the setpoint dial, work the problem in order — fuel, then...
Outdoor-furniture
The Secret to Buying the Perfect Patio Umbrella
Outdoor patio umbrellas are important for any outdoor space. Along with adding color and interest, they reduce the sun’s UV...
