This is versatility at it’s best. The dutch oven is a great vessel for braising, browning, frying, soups, stews and stocks. Cast iron is well known for retaining heat very well and that’s important to maintain a consistent temperature when cooking. The enamel coating on this pot makes for an attractive look that you’ll probably want to leave on your stove. Other great attributes about the enamel is that it cleans up much easier than uncoated cast iron and allows for cooking acidic foods like tomatoes and citrus. With Lodge, you get a quality piece of cookware for just a fraction of the cost of its French brethren, the Le Creuset.

When it comes to cast-iron, Lodge does it best. This grill and griddle combo is a shining example of the company’s enduring quality and design. Well-placed handles on both ends allow for easy flipping and carrying. The grill is perfect for searing a cut of meat indoors when it’s too cold to brave the outdoors. The griddle on the reverse side gives you a flattop to cook up pancakes, burgers and other sautés.

Real Grubbin loves a good crepe and is obsessed with omelets. So, of course, we need a good sauté pan for both of these creations. Enter Bialetti’s affordable nonstick sauté pan. The 10.25” is our favorite size for the crepe recipe and for a perfectly cooked omelet. The Bialetti heats up lightening fast and distributes an even temperature that we have never found in another nonstick skillet.

The mini skillet is ideal for quick individual meals, small sides or toasting chiles, spices and garlic cloves. The cast-iron is made in the legendary Lodge way and is a breeze to clean. We always keep one hanging nearby to handle those quick little sautés and warm-ups. Lodge even makes a lid for it if you so desire.

Weber perfected the grill. Hands down, you will not find a better grill, so seriously…stop looking. This is it. The kettle is designed to promote even cooking through a convection-like transfer of heat when covered. One of our favorite things about the Weber is the ability to kill the fire almost instantly. Just lid the beast, and turn both the top and bottom dials to the closed position. The tight seal will choke out your coals quickly, which is great if you need to allow it to cool down so it can be moved. Being the legend that it is, the Weber has countless aftermarket parts to give you even more options for this backyard badass.

It turns out; Weber also makes a hell of a smoker. The Smokey Mountain or WSM as it’s wildly known, delivers a concentrated smoke to food through its vertical design. The WSM is meant for the occasional barbecue cook who dabbles in smoking here and there, but doesn’t want a ‘cue that takes up much space on the patio or yard. It’s easy to get a good fire going and keep it in the range you need in this thing. If you’re interested in trying out smoking, this unit won’t disappoint.

When you’re ready to get serious with your barbecue, check out the Char-Griller. An offset firebox allows you to achieve that crucial low and slow with ease. Key features include a removable ash tray for easy cleaning; two waist-high shelves; a bottom rack for storing wood chunks; and a mounted thermometer for monitoring your cooking temperature. You can also use the Char-Griller as a direct grill while you’re smoking with the included grate for the firebox. It’s a great way to get a few side dishes in all-in-one.

Sure, it’s easy to find hickory wood for your barbecue, but what if you want something more exotic. Chigger Creek offers pecan, apple, cherry and more woods for you to add an array of flavors to your smoker. They offer the best deal we’ve found online for smoking woods.

Don’t even use lighter fluid again. The chimney starter is a near-fool-proof tool for starting a roaring fire each and every time. Just ball up some newspaper in the very bottom of the starter, load it with coals in the top, and light the paper. In 25 minutes, you’ll have hot glowing coals to dump into your grill. Couldn’t be easier.

We recommend this lighter when starting a charcoal fire outdoors. Steady winds and gusts can be frustrating when you just want to get the grill going and your Bic or Zippo won’t stay lit. This little jet engine on a flexible stick gets the job done every time.

If you bake on a regular basis, a Silpat baking mat may be just what you need. This replacement for parchment paper ensures nonstick baking every time. Designed to fit within a standard half-sheet pan, the easy clean-up Silpat has become a necessity for many bakers worldwide.

Oxo hits a home run again with this mixing bowl. The grippy exterior makes whisking on the counter top much easier and less risky for spilling.