Good Morning! 

Pit Boss started releasing their new products this week, and they kicked it off with the new DX Series that’s sold exclusively at Lowe’s. There are three grills in the line with different sizes and capabilities. The cheapest of the DX Series is only $399 but has some good features for that price point.

My favorite of the three is the 850, which retails for $549. It’s a grill that offers a ton of value for the price point. It has the latest pellet grill tech you’d want like an easy ash cleanout, improved ignitor, and wireless connectivity.

Pit Boss also released a 4th edition of their Pro Series exclusively at Lowe's. The Pro Series is one of the best Pit Boss lines. It has premium features like a touchscreen controller, wireless connectivity, a flame broiler, and a cool lid hinge design. The new model has some refinements like an improved ash and grease cleanout, larger hopper, and a better pellet cleanout.

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!

I was on The BBQ Central Show this week talking about all the latest grill releases. We spent most of the time going over the new Weber Smoque, the Weber Spirit, and also the Traeger Woodridge. If you’re not already subscribed, make sure to click the link and give it a listen.

OWS Foods supplies many BBQ dealers with rubs and sauces. They just made a change to their wholesale ordering that is going to impact how dealers order and add cost. There’s now an order minimum of $500, and they no longer offer free shipping. From an invoice I saw, shipping can add around 30% to the cost of the order.

Masterbuilt has expanded their popular Gravity Series line. They added the 1150, which is the largest model they offer. It has the same functionality that people love, adds a storage cabinet and a large folding front shelf.

Crossray is a brand under the AMD Direct umbrella that’s focused on infrared grilling. Their latest electric grill, the eXtreme, has been for sale overseas and now it’s making its way stateside. It uses two carbon fiber heating elements that run width-wise in the grill.

Finally, an investor has taken an activist position at Middleby. They plan to take board seats and push for changes. Their background is on the commercial side, but they have plans to look at Middleby's residential brands too.

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. 

Associate Digital Marketing Manager; HR Coordinator; Senior Accountant; Customer Support Supervisor