National BBQ Month is underway, and there is no shortage of gear guides dropping. But this one should put the debates to rest.

Here’s what we’ve been cooking up all week…

First up, Men's Journal tested 100+ grills, smokers, and tools for the 2026 season and named their winners. Also, the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest in Memphis is underway, and everything you need to know is in this week's issue.

Every week, we crown the DMS champion of BBQ. And there are only two ways to enter: 1) Submit a pic to the Dead Meat Society Facebook Group 2) Tag us on Instagram. If you aren’t sharing (and competing), what the hell are you waiting for?

And remember, we are raising the stakes!

From here on out…

This week’s Smoke Show Champ is Jack Cash for his classic cook on the Blackstone. Shared via the Dead Meat Society Facebook Group.

Honorable mention to Randy Williams for delivering a masterpiece for Mother’s Day. Shared via the Dead Meat Society Facebook Group.

Honorable mention to Kyle Yeager for feeding the herd. Shared via the Dead Meat Society Facebook Group.

Have a Smoke Show submission? Stop wasting your time posting on all those other sites and share it with the Facebook group that gives a damn: Dead Meat Society. Or just tag us on Instagram.

That one story that will make you infinitely more interesting than your know-it-all brother-in-law. Seriously, wtf is that guy’s deal?

This Saturday is officially National BBQ Day. Finally, the calendar finally caught up to what this community does year-round...

Perfect timing as Men's Journal just dropped their 2026 gear guide: 100+ grills, smokers, pizza ovens, and tools tested for the 2026 season. Read it before you spend a dollar on anything this summer.

Here's what they tested and what came out on top…

The pellet market is more competitive than ever. Three grills rose to the top:

Best portable grill of 2026 went to the Thaan. A tabletop charcoal cooker built around Thai-style compressed charcoal that burns hotter and cleaner than standard briquettes. Double-wall insulated firebox, adjustable airflow, removable charcoal riser for serious searing.

The Ninja FlexFlame took the top gas spot. Good for Ninja, surprising for Weber. It’s a gas grill with a built-in convection fan that circulates heat when the lid is closed.

Three standout tool picks: Breeo Leather Fire Gloves for wrist and forearm protection, the Typhur InstaProbe for instant-read temps, and the Benchmade 3 Piece Set for anyone who hasn't upgraded their knife situation yet.

The full guide covers gas, charcoal, pellet, portable, griddle, smoker, pizza ovens, and accessories. It's the single best reference for gear decisions this season.

What do you think, Dead Meat Society? What's the one piece of gear you're adding this summer?

Last week, we asked: What are you cooking for mom?

40% of you answered: “Mom's the one cooking (you sure about that?)”

This week, we want to know:

*Check back next week for the results*

Like the memes you send back and forth in your group chat, except these won’t get you canceled. Oh, and lots more grill marks.

🥩 THE SPIKE: Roy Perez has been pitmaster at Kreuz Market for almost 40 years. He cooks brisket with a custom-made stainless steel spike you won't find anywhere else. No thermometer. No app. Just forty years of knowing what done feels like.

🥩 FIRE ROOTS: BBQ as we know it didn't come from nowhere. The brisket on your smoker right now has a lineage. Worth knowing it.

🥩 MEMPHIS IN MAY: The World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest in Memphis is underway. Everything you need to know about the biggest competition on the calendar is right here. There’s still time to visit…

🥩 PORK TOMAHAWK: Pork tomahawk with a bourbon cream sauce. That's it. That's the pitch 👇

Did we miss something? Share it in the Dead Meat Society Facebook group or tag us on Instagram for a chance to be featured.

Dead Meat Society is all about community. We’re here to support and uplift the pursuit of delicious meats and the people and brands who are doing it right.

Today, let’s Meat and Greet…

@cookinglizardlv is a Las Vegas-based content creator who runs everything from backyard grilling to creative recipes. They’re putting together some mashups that have never been attempted before… and they all look delicious.

Plus, they’re a card-carrying member of the Dead Meat Society...

Give them a follow @cookinglizardlv

Want to be featured? Post your merch and let us see you cooking in style!

Tips, tech & gear that’ll help you beat your friend’s meat. Wait, that came out wrong…

🥓 DOLLAR TREE BBQ: 13 BBQ season essentials at Dollar Tree for under $2 each. Plates, spices, sides, snacks. With beef prices where they are, every dollar counts.

🥓 MEAT VENDING: A third-generation butcher in Bozeman, Montana, installed a 24/7 meat vending machine outside his shop. For the people who want a steak at 11 p.m. The rest of the country needs to catch up.

🥓 DOG UPGRADE: Worcestershire, mustard, and liquid smoke. Three ingredients that make a hot dog taste like it earned its place at a real cookout.

🥓 SALMON PINWHEELS: Looks expensive... isn't 👇

Did we miss something? Share it in the Dead Meat Society Facebook group or tag us on Instagram for a chance to be featured.

A happy ending just for you.

That’s it for this week. If you make any of the recipes above, you’re legally obligated to share pics on the DMS Facebook Group or tag us on Instagram so we can feature them next week (sorry, we don’t make the rules).

And since the only thing that is better than grill marks and ice-cold beer is grill marks and ice-cold beer with a side of dad jokes, we’ll leave this right here…

Dead Meat Society Merch in the wild.

Every day is DMS Tools day 💀 Thanks for the share Kimberly.

Flip it. Grip it. Stage it. The Dead Grill Station Kit Bundle gives you control over the meat and the mess, complete with…

It’s not just tools, it’s your grill station, dialed in. What are you waiting for?

As part of our commitment to community, we will donate 10% of net profits to charities that matter.