Good Morning! 

Cuisinart Outdoors has developed an innovative new product that's a first for outdoor cooking. It's an Outdoor Wok Station that has a commercial burner with a large wok on one side and a stainless steel prep area on the other. It was at the National Hardware Show last week and it has a release date of May 1st.

Blackstone has entered the smokeless fire pit market. Sold exclusively at Walmart, they released two stainless steel fire pits. One is a 7” tabletop model and the other is a 15” model.

They also have expanded the color offerings on a line of griddles. In a partnership with QVC, they are selling a 2-burner griddle bundle in 5 different color options. They’ve been long time partners with QVC, which offers a unique audience predominantly of 35 to 64-year-old women.

Sponsored By Franklin Barbecue Pits

Franklin Barbecue Pits, designed by famed Pit Master Aaron Franklin are built from heavy duty USA steel and made by craftsmen right here in the USA. For BBQ beginners and pros alike, its design and construction make it one of the best offset smokers for the backyard. And it will last for generations. Get yours at a BBQ dealer near you, or direct from Franklin if you don’t have a local dealer near you. We love and support local businesses, so if you’re a BBQ dealer that wants to carry Franklin BBQ Pit, please reach out!

Global Leisure was also at the National Hardware Show showcasing their brands Nexgrill and Spire. Another brand they had there is a newcomer to the US market. Megamaster is a popular grill brand in South Africa, and now being sold here at Home Depot with two new gas grill models.

With baseball season starting, outdoor brands are getting into the action through marketing. A week ago Traeger released limited-edition Louisville Slugger pellets, made from baseball bat byproducts. They followed that with new cooking videos featuring Ken Griffey Jr. Solo Stove also released a baseball centered ad featuring Houston Astros pitcher Josh Hader burning bats literally.

For those that want to eat an amazing Franklin Barbecue brisket without leaving home, you have an option. You can buy them from Golbelly, packed in ice and shipped to your door. I reviewed the experience and, as you’d expect, it was great. I’d recommend it to anyone that isn’t going to be in Austin. Don't forget to throw in a pack of sausage!

Lynx is leveraging expertise from fellow Middleby Brand, Kamado Joe, to bring a new ceramic cooker to market. The grill is slated to be released in Q3 of 2024 and has the option to be a built into an outdoor kitchen like other Lynx grills.

MNC Capital has increased their unsolicited buyout offer for Camp Chef parent, Vista Outdoor. They tacked on another $100 million, bringing their total offer to about $3 billion. They also removed a financing contingency, which was a sticking point on their previous offer. Vista hasn’t responded yet other than to say that they received the offer.

Finally, FireBoard is a leader in thermometer technology. I reviewed the FireBoard 2, which is a wireless thermometer with six probe ports. FireBoard is a staple in barbecue and for good reason, the product worked really well. It’s perfect for anyone that wants to up their BBQ game.

Have a Wonderful Easter!

Wes Wright

Founder and CEO

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Sponsored By Big Green Egg

At Big Green Egg, we’re not just the best Kamado grill on the market; we are a lifestyle brand dedicated to enhancing outdoor entertaining. The Big Green Egg believes in bringing families, friends and neighbors together to cook over live-fire. Our “EGGhead” community of loyal fans create memories with the delicious and diverse food they can prepare on their Eggs. 

With a rich 50-year history and a strong presence as an iconic brand in the outdoor kitchen industry, we are committed to providing our customers with premium products and a seamless experience, both online and offline. And we are now hiring for our headquarters location in Atlanta!

We offer a fun work environment, with lots of food and BBQ (of course!), as well as competitive benefits, including a 401(k) match, medical and life insurance, to name a few. More detail on open roles in links below and/or click on this link to apply. 

CRM/Loyalty Strategist; Culinary Engagement Strategist; Senior Accountant;