By Your Friendly Neighborhood Pitmaster (The guy who owns more thermometers than socks.)
Why Black Friday is a National Holiday for BBQ People
For most folks, Black Friday is a chaotic shopping frenzy full of crowded malls and questionable “deals.”
For pitmasters, chefs, and backyard grill enthusiasts, it’s Christmas morning, opening day, and the meat sweats rolled into one.
This is when we finally upgrade our gear – smokers, grills, thermometers, knives, rubs, wood, and accessories – without feeling guilty.
Think of it as the only day the universe gives a nod to your obsession with perfectly seared ribs, juicy chicken, and bark that could make angels weep.
This guide will walk you through the best black friday bbq deals, where to find them, what to buy, and how to shop smart.
Grab your tongs. Fire up your devices. Let’s make this season a smoke-filled, deal-fueled victory.
Why Black Friday Matters for BBQ Enthusiasts
If you treat grilling like a hobby – or better, a sport – Black Friday is the single best day of the year.
Biggest Discounts of the Year
High-end grills, smokers, and accessories rarely go on sale outside this weekend.
Suddenly $999 grills are $599. Premium kamados drop from $1,500 to under $1,000.
It’s like Christmas, but with smoke rings and savings.
Perfect Time to Upgrade or Replace Old Gear
Your old tongs are bent. Your smoker leaks smoke like a sieve. Your thermometer gives you heart palpitations every time it reads 165°F on a perfectly cooked brisket. Your knife sharpener… well, let’s just say you need one! Black Friday is your chance to replace gear without feeling guilty.
Clearance Season
Many brands release new models in spring, meaning older models get heavily discounted now. You get the features you want at a fraction of the price. That’s called winning.
Stock Up for the Next Season
Fuel, wood, rubs, sauces, gloves, foil, pellets… all go on sale. Buying bulk now = stress-free grilling for months. Your future self will thank you.
How to Spot Real Black Friday BBQ Deals
Not every “deal” is a real deal. Some stores hike prices in October just to mark them down in November.
As a pitmaster, I don’t fall for fake markdowns, and neither should you.
Check the Original Price
Tools like CamelCamelCamel, Google Shopping, and Honey can help track price history.
Make sure the discount isn’t just marketing smoke.
Don’t Ignore Build Quality
A “$199 grill” is only a deal if it doesn’t collapse under its own weight.
Check:
- Stainless steel grade
- Metal thickness
- Quality of welds
- Warranty
- Brand reliability
Remember: durability beats cheap thrills.
Compare Features, Not Just Cost
A thin-steel offset smoker might cost $300 less than a high-grade model – but it loses heat, ruins bark, and frustrates you.
Invest a little more, save yourself years of grief.
Know What Pitmasters Actually Care About
- Heat retention
- Airflow
- Fuel efficiency
- Temperature stability
- Ease of cleaning
- Longevity
- Spare part availability
Buy once. Cry once. Make it count.
Best Black Friday BBQ Deals
This is the juicy part – the section that’ll make your wallet sweat.
We’ll break it down by category, include product recommendation placeholders, and note where to shop for both online and local stores.
Grills: Gas, Charcoal & Hybrid
Black Friday is prime time for grills.
- Gas grills: convenient, precise heat, great for weeknight dinners.
- Charcoal grills: authentic smoky flavor, more hands-on, classic technique.
- Hybrid grills: combine gas and charcoal for ultimate versatility.
Product Recommendations:
- Gas grill: Utheer 17″ x 13″ Nano-Ceramic Nonstick Griddle for Gas & Charcoal Grills
- Charcoal grill: Weber 7403 Char-Basket Charcoal Briquet Holders
- Hybrid grill: Skyflame Adjustable Griddle Warming Rack
Where to Shop:
- Online: Amazon, BBQGuys, Home Depot, Lowe’s
- Local stores: Ace Hardware, Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shops
Tip: Check for BTUs, metal thickness, number of burners, and warranty before buying. Cheap grills aren’t deals if they don’t last.
Smokers: Pellet, Offset, Kamado, Electric
Smokers are where serious BBQ lives. Black Friday discounts can equate to hundreds of dollars off high-end models.
- Pellet smokers: easy, set-and-forget, perfect for low-and-slow beginners.
- Offset smokers: classic wood-burning flavor, ideal for backyard pitmasters who love control.
- Kamado grills: ceramic insulation, consistent heat, legendary for brisket.
- Electric smokers: beginner-friendly, compact, ideal for small backyards.
Grill Accessory Recommendations:
- Pellet Smoker: Stanbroil Stainless Steel Folding Front Shelf for Traeger Pro 780 & Ironwood 885 Pellet Grills
- Offset Smoker: Heavy Duty Steel Charcoal Offset Smoker Tuning Plates
- Kamado Grill: Multi-Level Cooking Grates with Ceramic Heat Deflectors
- Electric Smoker: Stainless Steel Rack for Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill and Smoker
Where to Shop:
- Online: Amazon, BBQGuys, Home Depot
- Local: Ace Hardware, specialty BBQ shops
Tip: For smokers, steel thickness matters more than extra bells. Thick steel = better heat retention = better bark.
Thermometers & Temperature Tools
You want your meat perfect every time. Black Friday is a perfect chance to grab:
Product Recommendations:
- Instant-Read Thermometer: ThermoPro TP19 Waterproof Digital Meat Thermometer
- Wireless Probe Thermometer: ThermoPro TempSpike Plus 600ft Wireless Meat Thermometer
- Smart Bluetooth Thermometer: CHEF iQ Sense Smart Wireless Meat Thermometer
Where to Shop:
- Online: Amazon, House of Knives, Williams Sonoma
- Local: Bed Bath & Beyond, Sur La Table
Tip: Cheap thermometers lie. Invest in accuracy. Your brisket deserves it.
Knives & Butchering Tools
A good pitmaster never underestimates a sharp blade. Black Friday deals on:
Product Recommendations:
- Chef’s Knife: Wusthof Classic Colour Chef 8″ Fresh Rosemary
- Boning Knife: Shun Classic 6″ Boning Knife
- Cleaver: Wusthof Gourmet Chinese 7″ Cleaver
Where to Shop:
- Online: Amazon, House of Knives, Williams Sonoma
- Local: Kitchen specialty stores
Tip: Buy knives that feel good in your hand. The best cut is the one you control.
BBQ Tools & Accessories
Don’t underestimate the little stuff. Black Friday is great for:
- Tongs, spatulas, and flippers
- Grill brushes and scrapers
- Heat-resistant gloves
- Rib racks, grill mats, baskets
Product Recommendations:
- BBQ Tool Set: Cuisinart Deluxe 20-Piece Grill Set
- Rib Rack: X-tra Long Stainless Steel Rib Rack-Smoking & Grilling
Where to Shop:
- Online: Amazon, House of Knives, Home Depot
- Local: Ace Hardware, Walmart
Tip: Accessories under $30 can dramatically improve workflow without breaking the bank.
BBQ Rubs, Sauces & Seasonings
Not grilled, but essential. Discounts on:
- Multi-pack rubs and sauces
- Specialty blends
- Small-batch craft seasonings
Product Recommendations:
- Rub & Seasoning Pack: Fire & Smoke Society Essential Grill Variety Pack
- BBQ Sauce Multi-Pack: Grill Masters Club Low & Slow, Bro BBQ Box
Where to Shop:
- Online: Amazon, BBQGuys, specialty spice shops
- Local: Grocery stores, BBQ specialty stores
Tip: Black Friday is a great time to experiment with new flavors.
Charcoal, Wood, Pellets & Fuel
Fuel is king. Black Friday is perfect to stock up.
- Charcoal: lump or briquettes
- Wood Chunks: hickory, mesquite, apple, cherry
- Pellets: perfect for pellet smokers
Product Recommendations:
- Charcoal Bag: Rockwood Natural Lump Charcoal – Oak, Hickory & Cherry Hardwood Blend
- Wood Chunk Set: Western Wood Smoking Chunks Variety Pack
- Pellet pack placeholder: Kona Wood Pellets All Variety Pack
Where to Shop:
- Online: Amazon, Home Depot, BBQGuys
- Local: Hardware stores, home improvement stores
Tip: Buying fuel in bulk now = stress-free grilling for months. Don’t wait.
BBQ Tech & Smart Gear
Yes, there’s tech for grilling. Black Friday is a good excuse to upgrade:
- Wi-Fi Controllers
- Smart Grill Assistants
- Bluetooth Apps
Product Recommendations:
- Smart Thermometer: ThermoPro Twin TempSpike Dual Probe Smart Bluetooth Meat Thermometer
- Wi-Fi Grill Controller: INKBIRD Wi-Fi & Bluetooth BBQ Temperature Controller | Automatic Smoker Fan Thermometer
Where to Shop:
- Online: Amazon, House of Knives, Williams Sonoma
- Local: Specialty stores
Tip: Tech upgrades free your hands so you can drink beer and relax while cooking.
Cookware & Kitchen Prep Tools
Grilling isn’t just fire – it’s prep, rest, and plating. Grab Black Friday deals on:
Product Recommendations:
- Cast Iron Skillet: Lodge 15 Inch Cast Iron Pre-Seasoned Skillet
- Marinade Injector: Ofargo Stainless Steel Meat Injector Syringe with 4 Marinade Needles and Travel Case
Where to Shop:
- Online: Amazon, House of Knives, Williams Sonoma
- Local: Kitchen specialty stores
Tip: These small tools increase efficiency and elevate your end results.
Tips for Pitmasters Shopping Black Friday Deals
- Make a list: know what you need first
- Know when to buy: some deals start early, some peak on the day
- Don’t just stick to Amazon: check Home Depot, House of Knives, Ace Hardware, local BBQ shops
- Check warranty & returns: BBQ gear is long-term investment
- Compare materials: a flimsy steel grill isn’t a deal if it rusts in a year
Tip: Prioritize durability over impulse purchases. You want gear that lasts, not discounts that disappear faster than your brisket.
How Should Chefs, Pitmasters & Backyard Grillers Should Shop Differently? BBQ Host Answers This Below:
Chefs, pitmasters, and weekend grillers all approach equipment with different priorities, and that matters even more when you’re cooking offshore. Your experience level shapes what features you absolutely need versus what you can live without on a moving deck.
Professional Pitmasters:
- Durability, capacity, heavy-duty smokers
- Warranty 10+ years
Chefs:
- Versatility, precision, knives, prep tools
- Tools that handle high-volume cooking
Backyard Grillers:
- User-friendly features
- Smaller, convenient grills
- Bundle deals for accessories
Tip: Know your style, and shop accordingly.
Best Strategies to Maximize Savings
- Buy essentials in bulk
- Use price trackers and alerts
- Subscribe to brand newsletters
- Shop early for popular models
- Wait for doorbuster deals on accessories
Tip: Patience pays – especially if you want to avoid sold-out disasters.
Final Checklist Before You Buy
- Budget
- Cooking style & needs
- Fuel preference
- Grill size & storage
- Ease of cleaning
- Warranty
- Extra accessories
Tip: Tick every box before clicking “buy.” Black Friday is no place for regret.
Fire Up Your Deals & Your Grill
Finding Black FridayBBQ Deals is the ultimate chance to upgrade your BBQ setup.
Whether you’re a pitmaster, professional chef, or backyard enthusiast:
- Focus on durability, precision, and usability
- Stock up on fuel, rubs, sauces, and accessories
- Grab gear that will last for years, not just this season
Remember:
A grill, smoker, or set of knives isn’t just a purchase – it’s an investment in flavor, community, and memorable meals.
Fire up your deals. Fire up your grill. And let the smoke ring and savingsroll.
Featured image credit: Canva
