The Gear List: Prepare for summer with a sweet backyard grill deal from Ace Hardware

Price: was $899.95, now $799.95
Seller: Ace Hardware

There is a ton of hype around Traeger grills and, as an owner, I’m here to add to it. Traeger somehow managed to make a wood smoker easier to use than a propane or charcoal grill, and it’s hard to back to either after you’ve had that wood-fired taste.

The Pro 575 can reach hot enough temperatures to grill or sear, or lower the temperature to cook your favorite barbeque low and slow. Wood pellets are stored in the side-mounted hopper and get fed into the firepot by an auger automatically. If that isn’t convenient enough, current offerings like this one can be controlled by an app on your phone so you can go about your day while smoking a 12-hour (or more) brisket to perfection. The drip tray and grease trap make cleanup quick and easy. I’ve gotten the cleaning process down to less than 10 minutes–I just vacuum out the ashes and replace the tin foil on the drip tray, and get back to it (the burned goodies on the porcelain grill grate get to stay–that’s where the real flavor comes from).

At the sale price of $799.95, this is still more expensive than propane and charcoal alternatives. I can attest, though, that the convenience, flavor, and ability to smoke meat are worth every penny. I’ve run mine year-round and it’s handled Texas summers and Wisconsin winters just fine. If you’re going to join the cult eventually, you might as well get $100 off to spend on pellets.

Price: was $349.99, now $299.99
Seller: Ace Hardware

When the yard is cut and dinner is served, you deserve to kick back by the fire. Making your guests dodge smoke all night is poor form, so we recommend a smokeless fire pit from Solo Stove or Breeo. This one is currently available at a $50 discount, which is a good enough excuse to buy one in my book.

This 19-5 inch Bonfire smokeless fire pit from Solo Stove lives up to the name with internal air channels that increase temperatures and burn off smoke before it can escape and go straight to your eyes. I was skeptical the first time I used one of these designs, but they do work incredibly well. Solo Stoves probably aren’t quite as heavy-duty as a Breeo, but they’re lighter and easier to take with you for a weekend getaway. Stainless steel construction offers adequate protection from the elements as well as the heat of a fire.

The one word of caution I’d offer is that this style of fire pit burns far more efficiently than a traditional design, so have more wood on standby than you’re used to. I’ll also point out that heat tends to be directed upward more than outward, which is nice when you want to enjoy a fire in the summer without cooking your shins.