Why $1200? Seems like kind of an arbitrary number. I guess I have heard something about some checks and deposits hitting some bank accounts. Sure, save it or pay some bills. That is the responsible thing to do. But if you wanted to splurge and outfit your backyard with a new grilling station? I have some ideas.
This list is designed for those who don’t have any sort of grill yet. Or for those who just have a gas grill. With this set up you can smoke a brisket or pork butts, you can reverse sear some of the best steaks you will eat, or just grill up a bunch of burgers and dogs. I have pretty much everything on this list and they are some of my most used items when I am grilling or smoking.
Disclosure: This post is monetized with affiliate links. If you buy something through them I earn a commission which helps support this site and lets me buy more meat so I can write about it.
The $1200 Grill Setup
Weber 26″ Grill
The Weber 22 inch kettle is probably the most common charcoal grill but if I could only have one charcoal grill I would go with the Weber 26″ kettle. Those extra 4 inches really do make a big difference. This grill will hold 3 pork butts, a mess of burgers, 2 whole spatchcocked chickens, or a bunch of steaks. The Weber kettles will last for many, many years and I can’t think of a more versatile cooker. These run $329 and the price is the same everywhere. Wayfair offers free shipping which makes them one of the best places to buy.
Slow n Sear XL
The Slow n Sear XL is one of the best accessories you can get for your Weber Kettle. For long cooks the Slow n Sear does a great job at holding a consistent temperature. The water reservoir helps add moisture and provides a heat barrier between the coals and the meat.
If you prefer steaks the Slow n Sear XL is awesome for reverse searing. I love doing it for cooks like tri tip or whole chicken. I rarely fire up my grill without using my Slow n Sear. The SNS XL runs $149 and ships for free.
Thermoworks Smoke and Thermapen Mk4
In my opinion there is nothing that will help you cook better meat than a good thermometer. Thermoworks makes some of the best thermometers on the market and with their Smoke and the Thermapen Mk4 you will have everything you need to accurately measure and track the temperatures of your meat and your cooker.
The Thermoworks Smoke has two probes so you can track the temperature of the meat and the grill at the same time. It comes with a remote receiver so you can set the Smoke up at the grill and track everything while you are inside. There are also high and low alarms you can set.
You will also need something to take quick temperatures and that is where the Mk4 comes in. Just stick the probe in and a couple seconds later you will have the internal temperature of your meat. No more overcooked steaks or undercooked chicken.
Each of these runs $99 so you are looking at $198 for both of these.
Lump Charcoal and Briquettes
Of course if you have a charcoal grill you need some charcoal. My two favorite types of charcoal to use are Fogo Lump Charcoal and Kingsford briquettes.
Why both? I tend to use briquettes for low and slow cooks and even cooks like reverse searing a steak where temperature control is important. I like lump charcoal for hot and fast direct grilling. You can use either type of charcoal for either type of cooking but I like having two options.
Fogo Premium charcoal is my favorite lump charcoal I have used. The chunks are decent sized but not too huge. It also burns nice and hot. SNSGrills.com has the best price I have seen at $40 for two 20 lb bags and they ship for free. And pick up your Slow n Sear XL while you are there.
Kingsford briquettes (also known as KBB (Kingsford Blue Bag)) are synonymous with charcoal grilling. They might not be the best briquettes but I have never had a problem with them, they are consistent, and they burn hot and clean. You can generally find 2 20 lb bags at the big box hardware stores for around $20.
Weber Chimney Starter
Now you need a way to light your charcoal. The Weber Chimney Starter does a great job getting the briquettes or your lump charcoal up to temperature. You can use any manner of dedicated charcoal lighting products to get things going. Just light one, stick a chimney full of charcoal on top, and about 20 minutes later you have some glowing hot coals. Many people just sprinkle some oil on some newspaper, crumple it up, and stick it in the bottom to get things lit.
BTW… never use lighter fluid to light your coals. With this starter you can avoid lighter fluid and get your coals lit quicker.
The Weber Rapidfire Chimney Starter goes for around $20 most places.
Meat to Fill Up Your Grill
Your grill is all set up, you have your thermometers, charcoal, and everything else you need. But your grill is empty!!! Of course you could go pick up a pack of ball park franks from the grocery store but let’s break this grill in the right way:
These American Wagyu Tomahawk steaks are a perfect way to break in your new grill. Weighing in at 2.5 lbs and costing $125 each these definitely aren’t your every day steaks. But an occasion like getting a new grills? You deserve to splurge.
And if you want something a bit simpler:
Snake River Farms is offering 12 pounds of their famous American Wagyu Ground Beef for just $125. This ground beef will make some of the best burgers you will ever taste. The flavor and texture of this ground beef are perfect for a nice, thick 1/2 or 1/3rd pound burger on the grill.
And what is a grill without hot dogs? Kids love them, adults love them, and pretty much everyone loves a good grilled hot dog. The American Wagyu hot dogs from Snake River Farms are some of the best hot dogs I have tasted. Load them up with all the toppings you want or just keep it simple with some mustard. 5 pounds of these beauties will run you $49.
OK, let’s add things up now:
- Weber 26 inch Kettle: $329
- Slow n Sear XL: $149.99
- Thermoworks Smoke: $99.99
- Thermoworks Thermapen Mk4: $99.99
- 2 Bags Fogo Charcoal: $39.99
- 2 Bags Kingsford Briquettes: $19.99
- Weber Rapid Fire Lighter: $19.99
- 2 Snake River Farms Tomahawks: $250
- 12 lbs American Wagyu Ground Beef: $125
- 5 lbs American Wagyu Hot Dogs: $49
The total? $1182.97. Plenty of money left over for a couple of sixers to go with your new grill. $1200 and you have an AWESOME grilling setup that will last you for years (well, not the meat or charcoal of course) and can cook pretty much anything you can think of.