Olivia Carter

A propane fire pit is an outdoor fire feature fueled by a standard 20 lb propane tank that produces a controlled, adjustable flame for backyard warmth and ambiance. Unlike wood-burning pits, propane models produce no smoke, no ash, and light with the push of a button, which is why they have become the go-to choice … Read more

Last fall, our team spent six weekends testing gas fire pit tables across three backyards: a covered patio in the Pacific Northwest, an open deck in the Midwest, and a small balcony in a coastal condo. We lit 47 fires, burned through nine propane tanks, and collected notes from 14 real hosts who let us … Read more

Looking for the best tabletop patio heaters for small spaces? After 90 days of hands-on testing across eight propane and electric models on a 6-by-8 ft covered patio, an 80 sq ft apartment balcony, and a windy rooftop, our team landed on a clear winner. The BALI OUTDOORS Portable Patio Heater tops our list because … Read more

Outdoor dining is no longer a seasonal bonus for restaurants — it’s a major revenue stream. According to National Restaurant Association data, roughly 35% of operators with patio seating earn more than 40% of their daily sales from that outdoor footprint. When the temperature drops, that revenue walks away unless you have the right heating … Read more

The best electric smoker for beginners is the Masterbuilt 30-inch Digital Electric Smoker (MB20071117), because its digital temperature controls do all of the fire-management work for you, the patented side wood chip loader keeps smoke going without opening the door, and the 711 sq in cooking area fits a full family meal on day one. … Read more

If you’ve ever tried to fit two briskets, four racks of ribs, and a couple of pork butts into a standard barrel pellet grill, you already know why cabinet-style smokers exist. Vertical pellet smokers pack more cooking area into a smaller patio footprint, and they let hot smoke rise naturally past every rack so you … Read more

If you’ve ever tried to get a real sear on a Weber pellet grill, you already know the frustration. Most pellet smokers top out at 450 to 500°F, which is hot enough to smoke a brisket but nowhere near hot enough to lay down steakhouse-quality grill marks on a ribeye. We spent the last two … Read more

I tested ten pellet grills in my backyard over six weeks, smoking everything from weeknight chicken thighs to overnight brisket. My goal was simple: find the best budget pellet grills for families that actually feed four to six people without babysitting the fire or breaking when the kids bump into the cart. A pellet grill … Read more

Competition barbecue is a brutal sport. Turn-in windows are timed to the minute, KCBS judges taste hundreds of entries in a single afternoon, and a 15°F temperature swing in the final hour can turn a champion brisket into a dry doorstop. We cooked on these grills across 14-hour overnight brisket runs, rib turn-ins, and backyard … Read more

The best charcoal grill for smoky flavor is the Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch, and after cooking ribs, brisket, chicken and burgers on every grill in this guide for the past three months, that recommendation has not budged. The combination of a porcelain-enameled kettle that locks in heat, a hinged grate for adding wood chunks … Read more