Behind the Scenes: How We Review Every Product

Our Promise: Honest Reviews, Always

When we launched BBQ Experience, we made a commitment that every product review would be based on genuine, hands-on testing by people who actually cook over fire every week. No desk reviews. No sponsored content disguised as editorial. No inflated scores to keep advertisers happy. If we review it, we have used it -- extensively -- and our opinions are our own. This article explains exactly how that process works.

How We Select Products

We review products that our readers actually want to buy. Selection is driven by three factors: reader requests (we track what people ask about in comments and emails), market relevance (bestselling products that many people will encounter), and innovation (new products that introduce genuinely useful features). We do not accept payment for reviews, and manufacturers cannot buy a review or influence its outcome. Period.

When possible, we purchase products at retail with our own funds. In some cases, manufacturers provide review units, which we always disclose. The editorial process is identical regardless of how we acquired the product -- the review team does not know (or care) whether a product was purchased or provided.

The Testing Process

Every product undergoes a minimum testing period before we write a single word:

• Grills and Smokers: 6-8 weeks of regular use, minimum 12 cooking sessions covering different techniques (grilling, smoking, roasting, searing).
• Thermometers and Electronics: 4-6 weeks, tested against NIST-traceable reference instruments for accuracy verification.
• Accessories: 4 weeks of use in real cooking scenarios, not laboratory conditions.
• Consumables (charcoal, pellets, wood): Multiple controlled burn tests plus real-world cooking evaluation.

During testing, we document everything: temperature data, cook times, photos at each stage, notes on usability, and observations about build quality and durability. We intentionally stress-test products by using them in rain, cold, and wind -- because real grillers do not cook only on perfect days.

How We Score

Each review includes four sub-scores and one overall score, all on a 0-10 scale:

• Build Quality (weight: 25%): Materials, construction, fit and finish, durability indicators, warranty coverage.
• Performance (weight: 35%): How well does it do what it claims? For grills: heat distribution, temperature range, smoke production. For thermometers: speed, accuracy. For charcoal: burn time, heat output, ash production.
• Value (weight: 20%): Performance and quality relative to price. An $800 grill that performs like a $2,000 unit scores higher here than a $2,000 grill that performs like a $2,000 unit.
• Ease of Use (weight: 20%): Assembly, learning curve, daily operation, cleaning, maintenance.

The overall score is a weighted average of these four components, not a simple arithmetic mean. Performance carries the most weight because, ultimately, how well a product works matters more than anything else.

We calibrate our scale so that 5.0 represents an average product, 7.0 represents a good product worth buying, 8.0 represents an excellent product, and 9.0+ is reserved for exceptional products that set the standard in their category. We have never given a 10.0 overall score, and we may never -- perfection is a direction, not a destination.

The Writing Process

After testing is complete, the reviewer writes the editorial content from their notes and experience. The draft is reviewed by at least one other team member who has also used the product, ensuring the assessment is fair and comprehensive. We specifically look for: claims that are not supported by our testing data, tone that feels promotional rather than evaluative, and missing information that readers would need to make a purchase decision.

Every review includes specific pros and cons, a verdict sentence, and real-world context about who should (and should not) buy the product. We believe a good review helps you decide, whether the answer is "buy it" or "skip it."

Affiliate Links and Revenue

BBQ Experience uses affiliate links in product reviews. When you click a link and make a purchase, we earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This revenue helps fund our testing program and keeps the site running. However -- and this is critical -- affiliate relationships never influence our scores, recommendations, or editorial content. We have published negative reviews of products from brands whose affiliate programs we participate in, and we will continue to do so whenever our testing warrants it.

Hold Us Accountable

If you disagree with a review, tell us. If you find an error, point it out. If you think we missed something important, let us know. Our comment sections are open, our email is monitored, and we regularly update reviews based on reader feedback, long-term durability observations, and manufacturer changes. We are not perfect, but we are committed to being honest. That is the only promise that matters.