Holiday Gift Guide for Backyard Cooks (2026): Smoker, Pizza Oven and Griddle Gear I Actually Use
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Shopping for someone who lives for backyard cooking is tricky. They already have opinions, and most "griller gift" lists are full of novelty tools that end up in a drawer. So this list sticks to one rule: I only included gear I actually own and use. That means my Weber Smokey Mountain smoker, my Ooni Karu 12 pizza oven, my Blackstone griddle, and the small accessories that make all three easier.
I split it into small gifts and stocking stuffers, accessories that level up their cooks, and the big gifts.
Small Gifts and Stocking Stuffers
1. A Wireless Meat Thermometer (ThermoPro)
If you only buy one thing from this list, make it a good probe thermometer. The lid thermometer on most smokers and grills reads the air at the top of the dome, not what's happening at the grate. I use a ThermoPro wireless meat thermometer on long smoker cooks so I'm not lifting the lid and losing heat.
Best for: anyone who smokes, grills or roasts. It works indoors in the oven too.
2. Pink Butcher Paper
For ribs and pork shoulder, I wrap in pink butcher paper during the middle of the cook. It's an easy, useful gift that every smoker owner goes through.
3. Heat-Resistant Waterproof Gloves
Moving hot grates, adding charcoal mid-cook, or pulling a pork shoulder off the smoker is a lot easier with heat-resistant waterproof gloves. These are the ones I use in my smoker video.
4. Wood Chunks for Smoking
A bag of apple wood chunks is a simple gift that gets used right away. I mix a few chunks into the charcoal for a long, steady smoke.
Accessories That Level Up Their Cooks
5. Ooni Infrared Thermometer (for Pizza Oven Owners)
If they have an Ooni or any pizza oven without a built-in thermometer, this is the gift. Knowing the stone temperature is what gets you an evenly cooked pizza, and I consider the Ooni infrared thermometer close to essential.
6. Ooni Perforated Pizza Peel
I build and launch pizzas on a floured wooden peel, then use the Ooni perforated peel to turn them while they cook. It's super lightweight and made rotating pizzas much easier for me.
The Big Gifts
7. Weber Smokey Mountain 18 (for the Future Pitmaster)
I've cooked on my 18-inch Weber Smokey Mountain for about two years, from 3-2-1 ribs to pork shoulders, and I'd buy it again. It gives real charcoal-and-wood smoke flavor with no controller or power cord to fail. It's not set-and-forget like a pellet grill, so it's best for someone who enjoys managing a fire.
Cooking for a crowd? The 22-inch WSM has more room. Small patio? Look at the 14-inch. Read my full Weber Smokey Mountain 18 review.
8. An Ooni Karu Pizza Oven
My first-generation Ooni Karu 12 is one of the most fun things I cook on. It bakes a pizza in about 60 to 90 seconds and has real wow factor at a party. The original Karu 12 is sold on Ooni's own site. If you'd rather buy on Amazon, the newer Ooni Karu 2 is the closest option. To be clear, I haven't cooked on the Karu 2 myself.
Not sure which Karu? My Ooni Karu 12 review compares all three current models.
9. Blackstone 36-Inch 4-Burner Griddle
I own the Blackstone 36-inch 4-burner griddle (the version without the hood), and it's the opposite of my smoker: fast, flat-top cooking with four burners and enough room to feed a crowd. A full review and video are coming in the spring.
Quick Picks by Person
Already owns a smoker: ThermoPro thermometer, butcher paper, wood chunks.
Already owns a pizza oven: Ooni infrared thermometer and perforated peel.
Wants to start smoking meat: Weber Smokey Mountain 18.
Loves hosting: Blackstone 36-inch griddle or an Ooni Karu.
Backyard Gift FAQ
What's the best gift for someone who already has a smoker?
A wireless probe thermometer. It's the upgrade that makes the biggest difference on long cooks, and most smoker owners don't have a good one.
Is the Weber Smokey Mountain good for beginners?
Yes. There's a learning curve with the vents, but the 18-inch is forgiving and easy to manage once you learn the Minion method.
Which Ooni should I gift?
The Karu 12 is the best value if you can get it from Ooni. The Karu 2 adds a glass door and a bigger fuel tray for more money. My full review breaks down the differences.
Prices change constantly around Black Friday and Cyber Monday, so check current prices before you buy.
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