Tom’s Guide Get Grillin’ Week 2026 is back as the publication’s seasonal hub for helping readers master their backyard grill setup and cooking techniques ahead of summer barbecue season. The editorial package bundles gear recommendations, technique tutorials, seasonal deal roundups, and product testing into one focused resource. Summer is coming—and this guide exists to help you get the most from your grill this season.
Key Takeaways
- Tom’s Guide Get Grillin’ Week 2026 combines gear guides, cooking tutorials, and seasonal deal coverage for grilling season.
- Memorial Day grill deals reach up to 30% off on brands including Weber, Traeger, and Ninja.
- Smash burgers require a super-hot surface and firm pressure to trigger the Maillard reaction for deep crust and umami flavor.
- Grill selection should consider fuel type, style, features, and overall design as core decision factors.
- The hub covers charcoal, gas, and pellet grill models plus upright smokers for different cooking styles.
What Tom’s Guide Get Grillin’ Week 2026 Covers
Tom’s Guide Get Grillin’ Week 2026 is a seasonal editorial event designed to help readers decide what grilling equipment to buy, show how to get the most out of it, and solve problems as they arise. The hub pulls together Tom’s Guide’s broader grilling coverage into a single destination. Coverage ranges from the best grills to upright smokers, with buying guides, technique stories, and deal roundups timed to major seasonal shopping windows.
The package reflects Tom’s Guide’s core mission: helping readers navigate gear decisions with confidence. Rather than treating grilling as an afterthought, the Get Grillin’ Week 2026 hub positions outdoor cooking as a season-long investment worthy of planning and technique refinement. This is where casual backyard cooks and serious grill enthusiasts find both foundational advice and advanced strategies.
Choosing the Right Grill for Your Setup
When selecting a grill, Tom’s Guide recommends evaluating four key factors: fuel type, style of grill, features, and overall design. These categories help narrow the overwhelming range of options available. Fuel type—charcoal, gas, or pellet—shapes not only how you cook but also your workflow, maintenance routine, and flavor outcomes.
Charcoal grills demand more hands-on attention but deliver intense heat and smoke flavor. Gas grills offer convenience and temperature control. Pellet models split the difference, automating fuel feed while imparting wood smoke. Beyond fuel, consider whether you want a traditional kettle, a barrel smoker, a flat-top griddle, or a hybrid system. Features like side burners, rotisseries, or integrated thermometers add capability but also cost and complexity. Design matters too—how the grill sits in your outdoor space, whether it’s portable or built-in, and how durable it feels under heavy use all factor into a purchase that could last years.
Mastering the Smash Burger Technique
One standout tutorial in Tom’s Guide’s grilling coverage walks readers through making the perfect smash burger on a flat-top grill. The technique centers on achieving maximum crust through direct contact and heat. Use a sturdy burger press with a flat pressing surface, then place the patty on a piping hot griddle and press it down firmly. For optimal results, cook on a super-hot cast iron skillet set over grill grates for four minutes.
The goal is to trigger the Maillard chemical reaction, which gives burgers that deep, savory crust and umami flavor without drying out the meat. According to the guide, getting that initial contact with the grill to achieve a good sear is the number one most important thing when cooking a burger. If you don’t get that sear, it’s hard to achieve good caramelization. Cook about 70% of the cooking on the first side, then add mustard to the top side before flipping to create additional caramelization. Let the burgers cook until the meat on the top side is nearly brown.
Once cooked, stack the cheese-topped patties before adding a freshly-toasted top bun. Use a drizzler bottle full of water and spread water in a circle around the burger, then cover with a lid or metal mixing bowl and steam for around 30 seconds. Add sauce to the bottom bun before this steaming step and add salad to the base bun before final assembly. This layering approach ensures every component contributes to the final bite.
Seasonal Grill Deals and Shopping Windows
Tom’s Guide Get Grillin’ Week 2026 arrives during prime grill-buying season. Memorial Day grill deals are already live at Amazon with savings of up to 30% on brands including Weber, Traeger, and Ninja. These seasonal promotions represent the year’s biggest discounts on premium equipment, making spring and early summer the optimal time to upgrade or expand your grill collection.
The publication also tracks Prime Day grilling deals and other promotional events throughout the season. For readers shopping on a budget, timing purchases around these windows can mean the difference between paying full price and securing meaningful savings. Tom’s Guide Get Grillin’ Week 2026 consolidates these opportunities into a single editorial package, eliminating the need to hunt across multiple deal sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tom’s Guide Get Grillin’ Week 2026?
Tom’s Guide Get Grillin’ Week 2026 is a seasonal editorial hub combining gear guides, cooking tutorials, deal roundups, and product testing to help readers prepare for summer barbecue season. It covers everything from selecting the right grill to mastering specific cooking techniques.
Are there current grill deals available during Tom’s Guide Get Grillin’ Week 2026?
Yes. Memorial Day grill deals are currently live at Amazon with savings up to 30% on major brands including Weber, Traeger, and Ninja. Tom’s Guide also tracks Prime Day and other seasonal promotions throughout the grilling season.
What fuel type should I choose for my grill?
Fuel type depends on your priorities. Charcoal delivers intense heat and smoke flavor but requires more attention. Gas offers convenience and temperature control. Pellet grills automate fuel feed while imparting wood smoke. Consider your cooking style, maintenance tolerance, and desired flavor outcomes when deciding.
Tom’s Guide Get Grillin’ Week 2026 returns each year as a timely resource for readers ready to invest in their outdoor cooking setup. Whether you’re buying your first grill, upgrading equipment, learning advanced techniques, or hunting seasonal deals, the hub consolidates Tom’s Guide’s grilling expertise into one focused destination. The combination of buying guidance, technique tutorials, and promotional tracking makes it a practical resource for anyone serious about summer barbecue.
Edited by the All Things Geek team.
Source: Tom's Guide
