The Ultimate 2026 BBQ & Grilling Buyer’s Guide

20 Free Tools That Save You Thousands on Your Next Grill Or Level Up Your Grilling and Smoking Setup

Buying a grill in todays world is harder than ever. You’ve got $300 propane portables, $3,000 pellet monsters, $8,000 outdoor kitchens, and every brand telling you theirs is “the best". One wrong choice and you’re stuck with cold spots, rust in six months, or a $2,000 smoker you never use.

We fixed that.

We built 20 free BBQ & grilling decision tools that instantly tell you the perfect grill, smoker, accessories, fuel, cleaning schedule, and more, based on your exact backyard, budget, and cooking style.

No sponsored #1 picks. No fluff. Just real answers with current products and prices. Built by BBQ/Grilling enthusiasts.

Pick your exact situation below and get the perfect setup in under 60 seconds.

BBQ and Grilling Tools Included in This Release

  • BBQ Grill Type + Fuel Selector
    • Gas, charcoal, or pellet? Solved forever
  • Grill Size + BTU Calculator For Your Family
    • Never run out of cooking space again
  • Best Grill Accessories Kit Under $100
    • Must-have tools that actually last
  • Smoker Wood Chip + Pellet Flavor Picker
    • Competition-winning flavor every smoke
  • Grill Cleaning + Maintenance Schedule Generator
    • Keep your $2k grill like new for 10+ years
  • BBQ Sauce + Rub Flavor Pairing Tool
    • The perfect sauce and rub for your meat choice and style
  • Portable Grill Picker for Tailgating / Camping
    • Packable grill that fits your trunk
  • Indoor Grill + Smokeless Cooker Selector
    • BBQ indoors without setting off the alarm
  • Grill Cover + Storage Protector Picker
    • Keep your grill or smoker protected from the elements
  • BBQ Thermometer + Probe Picker
    • Never overcook brisket again
  • Grill Lighting + Outdoor Kitchen Lights
    • Grill at night like a pro
  • Grill Gloves + Apron Safety Kit
    • Heat-proof gloves that actually work
  • BBQ Side Dish Pairing Tool
    • Sides that steal the show
  • Grill Fuel Cost Calculator (Propane vs Charcoal vs Pellet)
    • Save $100+ per season on propane vs charcoal vs pellets
  • Ultimate BBQ Tool Maintenance Guide Generator
    • Step-by-step care plan for every tool
  • Grill Weatherproofing + Winter Storage Kit
    • Protect your grill from harsh winters
  • BBQ Competition Prep Tool Picker
    • Pro tips for tools and accessories for your next BBQ competition
  • Grill Smoker Hybrid vs Dedicated Smoker
    • Find the best grill/smoker hybrid or dedicated smoker for you
  • Outdoor Kitchen Design + Appliance Picker
    • Best bang for your buck outdoor appliances for your budget
  • BBQ Meat Thermometer Placement Guide
    • Perfectly cooked meat every time

How These Tools Actually Work

Every tool asks 2–8 hyper-specific questions (your backyard size, family size, how often you grill, flavor preference, budget, etc.).

Our expert system (built from real BBQ/Grilling enthusiasts + current pricing) instantly returns:

  • The single best recommendation (exact model + current street price)
  • Why it’s perfect for your exact setup
  • Two strong runner-ups
  • Direct purchase links where applicable

No fluff. No “maybe this one.” Just the answer.

Most Popular Tools Right Now

  1. BBQ Grill Type + Fuel Selector
  2. Grill Size + BTU Calculator
  3. Portable Grill Picker for Tailgating/Camping

Ready to Stop Guessing and Start Grilling?

Click any tool below!

Start with the BBQ Grill Type + Fuel Selector it’s the one 87 % of first-time visitors use.

You’ll have the perfect grill picked out before your coffee gets cold.

Explore The Tool Collection

Date Published
December 8, 2025

About the Author

Jacob - The Tool Collective

Built by The Tool Collective team. As you may know, we are a group of diverse multi-hobby individuals with loads of unique interests. Grilling/Smoking/BBQing is a mainstay in our households. It's also a ritualistic art for a lot of men and cooks out there. It's a hobby with many passionate individuals who build careers and status among their friends and family. Being a grill master is a prized title, and we hope our tools can help those like us buy the perfect products and level up their grill game.

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