Good Morning! 

ThermoWorks officially launched their RFX MEAT Wireless Probe this week. We’ve seen the product floating around since their event in Utah last month, but now we have more details.

Going by specs and features, it appears to set the bar for what wireless probes can do. By using a low frequency for communication, it has superior range through a grill lid or house walls. It also can handle temperatures up to 1,000 degrees F.

Gozney announced upcoming price increases, or changes, to their products starting in September. They’ve been good about announcing price increases through the years, but what was most interesting this time is how they set pricing.

While the announcement was centered around increases, only one product really saw any material increase. The rest of the products showed a change in price strategy by ending in $0.99 rather than a whole dollar.

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!

The shareholder vote for the future of Vista Outdoor, and Camp Chef, is ongoing, and we should know the results of it soon. In the meantime, Vista pre-released their financials for the quarter.

For Camp Chef, they saw an 8% sales growth in the griddle category from the release of their Gridiron griddle with a front grease trough. While griddles probably are a low percentage of Camp Chef’s overall revenue, it does show that innovation and new products continue to drive revenue even in the challenging economy.

I reviewed the Charbroil Commercial Series Gas Grill, which is more than just a gas grill. It heats up really quick with Charbroil's TRU Infrared tech, the cooking grates swap out for an included griddle, and it can cook with charcoal using Gas2Coal. It's a versatile grill that lets you cook a variety of food with a variety of methods. There's a lot to like about this grill.

Finally, a retailer that has seen success with grills this year is Tractor Supply. They released earnings this week and noted grills, and other big ticket purchases, as a bright spot. They’ve been increasing their inventory levels to support growth in the category. This comes after announcing a partnership with Weber earlier this spring.

Thanks for Reading!

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. 

Lead Mechanical Engineer; Lead User Researcher; Distributor Development Sales Manager