Smoke Tested BBQ

Tag: bbq gear

  • Why I Finally Upgraded My BBQ Gloves

    Why I Finally Upgraded My BBQ Gloves

    If you’ve spent much time around a smoker, you know that hot surfaces are part of the experience. Whether you’re moving grates, adjusting meat, handling a water pan, or pulling food from the smoker, a good pair of gloves can make the job much easier.

    I’ve always used BBQ gloves, but the pair I had been using for years left something to be desired. They provided decent protection, but they were bulky and oversized. Whenever I needed to handle food or make a quick adjustment around the smoker, I felt like I was sacrificing control for protection.

    I’ve also learned the hard way that hot equipment deserves respect. Years ago, I managed to burn myself while changing out a water pan on a smoker. It wasn’t a serious injury, but it was enough to remind me that protecting your hands is important when you’re working around hot metal and hot grease.

    When it came time to upgrade, I started doing what most backyard pitmasters do: reading reviews. After searching Google, reading customer feedback, and comparing several options on Amazon, one name kept appearing near the top of the list: the Hey Grill Hey Pitmaster Gloves.

    I decided to give them a try and see if they could earn a permanent spot beside The Beast.

    First Impressions

    The first thing I noticed when I pulled the Hey Grill Hey Pitmaster Gloves out of the package was the fit.

    Compared to the generic BBQ gloves I had been using, these were noticeably more form-fitting. My old gloves were oversized and bulky, which provided protection but sometimes made it difficult to handle food or work around the smoker with confidence.

    The Hey Grill Hey gloves felt different immediately. They fit closer to my hands, giving me much better control and a more natural feel. I could already tell they would be easier to use when handling meat, moving pans, or making adjustments around the smoker.

    The tradeoff became apparent right away as well. Because the gloves fit more snugly, they aren’t quite as quick to put on and remove as some larger gloves. That’s not a dealbreaker, but it was one of the first differences I noticed.

    Overall, my initial impression was positive. The gloves felt well made, comfortable, and designed for actual BBQ use rather than serving as a generic heat-resistant glove.

    Putting Them to the Test

    The real test came during a cook where I had both a rack of ribs and a beer can chicken on The Beast.

    When it was time to wrap the ribs, I immediately noticed the difference between these gloves and my old pair.

    With my previous gloves, I was always aware of the heat and never felt completely comfortable handling food directly. The bulky fit also made it harder to get a secure grip on larger cuts of meat.

    The Hey Grill Hey gloves changed that.

    I was able to reach in, grab the rack of ribs, carry it to the table, and prepare it for wrapping without feeling heat through the gloves. The grip felt secure, the gloves stayed comfortable, and I never felt like I was fighting the material to control what I was holding.

    That moment sold me on them.

    Throughout the cook, I also used them while handling the beer can chicken and working around the smoker. During this cook, the gloves protected my hands well while I handled the ribs, beer can chicken, and hot pan, and the snug fit made it easier to work confidently around the smoker.

    For me, that combination of grip, comfort, and heat resistance is exactly what I was hoping to gain by upgrading.

    What I Like

    After using the Hey Grill Hey Pitmaster Gloves during several cooks, three things stand out.

    Grip

    The biggest improvement over my old gloves is the grip. During my recent rib cook, I was able to grab a hot rack of ribs directly from the smoker and carry it to my table for wrapping without any issues. The gloves gave me a secure hold on the meat and made the entire process feel easier and more controlled.

    Comfort

    Despite fitting more snugly than my previous gloves, they were comfortable throughout the cook. The gloves remained flexible and never felt restrictive while working around the smoker.

    Heat Resistance

    This is where the gloves really impressed me. Not only was I able to handle hot ribs with confidence, but I also used them to move the pan holding my beer can chicken. At no point did I feel concerned about the heat coming through the gloves. The protection was excellent and gave me confidence when working around hot food and equipment.

    What I’d Change

    There isn’t much I would change, but the fit may not be for everyone.

    The gloves fit much closer to the hand than the generic BBQ gloves I had been using. As a result, they take slightly longer to put on and remove.

    For me, that’s a very minor tradeoff. The improved control, grip, and dexterity more than make up for the extra few seconds it takes to get them on.

    In fact, I think the snug fit is one of the reasons they perform so well.

    Final Thoughts

    After several cooks with the Hey Grill Hey Pitmaster Gloves, I can confidently say they were worth the investment.

    The improved grip, comfort, and heat protection have made working around The Beast easier and safer. Whether I’m handling ribs, moving a pan of beer can chicken, or pulling food from the smoker, these gloves give me more confidence than the generic gloves I used previously.

    The tighter fit may not be for everyone, but for me, the added control is absolutely worth the minor inconvenience.

    If a friend asked whether these gloves are worth the money, my answer would be yes. The closer fit and better grip are a noticeable improvement over the bulky pair I used before, and these have quickly become one of the tools I reach for whenever I fire up The Beast.

    If you want to take a closer look, you can [see the Hey Grill Hey Pitmaster Gloves on Amazon].

    Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • Chef iQ Gen 3 Review: My First Cook on an Offset Smoker

    Chef iQ Gen 3 Review: My First Cook on an Offset Smoker

    A while back, I published an article on some of the best meat thermometers for BBQ and smoking. At the time, the Chef iQ Gen 3 wasn’t included on that list because I hadn’t used one myself. I try not to recommend equipment based solely on manufacturer claims or online reviews. If I’m going to put something on Smoke Tested BBQ, I want to put it through a real cook first.

    Recently, I decided to make the jump from a traditional wired thermometer to a completely wireless system and purchased the Chef iQ Gen 3. After using it during a beer can chicken cook on my Oklahoma Joe Longhorn offset smoker—better known around here as The Beast—I came away impressed enough to share my first impressions.

    This isn’t a long-term review after dozens of cooks. Instead, it’s an honest look at my first experience with the Chef iQ Gen 3, what I liked, what I didn’t, and whether I’d buy it again.

    Why I Switched From a Wired Thermometer to the Chef iQ Gen 3

    For years, I relied on wired meat thermometers when smoking BBQ. They worked well enough, but dealing with probe wires was never my favorite part of a cook. Every time I fired up the smoker, I found myself untangling cables, routing wires around hot surfaces, and trying to keep everything organized.

    The wires weren’t a deal breaker, but they were one more thing to manage while tending a fire and cooking meat.

    When it came time to upgrade, I decided I wanted a completely wireless system. My goal wasn’t necessarily to get more features—it was to simplify the process. I wanted something that would let me monitor temperatures without worrying about cables running out of the smoker.

    After researching a few options, I decided to give the Chef iQ Gen 3 a try.

    If you’re interested in checking current pricing or specifications, you can find the Chef iQ Gen 3 Wireless Meat Thermometer on Amazon here.

    First Impressions

    I’ve only used the Chef iQ Gen 3 on one cook so far, but my first impression was very positive.

    Like most new gadgets, there was a small learning curve at the beginning. My biggest challenge wasn’t the thermometer itself—it was figuring out how everything connected to my phone and where to position the charging base for the best signal.

    Once I got past that initial setup, everything became straightforward. The app was easy enough to navigate, the probes paired without much trouble, and the overall system felt intuitive after a few minutes of use.

    What stood out immediately was how much cleaner the setup felt compared to the wired thermometers I had used in the past. Without cables running out of the smoker, the entire process seemed simpler and less cluttered.

    By the time I was ready to start my beer can chicken cook, I felt comfortable with the system and eager to see how it would perform during a real-world smoke.

    Using the Chef iQ Gen 3 on an Offset Smoker

    For my first cook with the Chef iQ Gen 3, I decided to put it to work during a beer can chicken cook on my Oklahoma Joe Longhorn offset smoker, better known around here as The Beast.

    The thermometer package I purchased included three wireless probes, although I only needed two for this particular cook. Setup was simple. Once the probes were inserted into the chicken and connected through the app, I was able to monitor temperatures without running a single wire out of the smoker.

    That may not sound like a major advantage until you’ve spent years cooking with traditional wired thermometers. There were no cables hanging from the smoker, no wires to route around hot surfaces, and nothing to untangle before or after the cook.

    Instead, I inserted the probes, closed the lid, and focused on managing the fire while keeping an eye on temperatures from my phone.

    For this cook, I used the same charcoal setup I discussed in my article on Best Charcoal for Offset Smokers, which helped maintain steady cooking temperatures throughout the smoke.

    The wireless setup immediately felt like a cleaner and more convenient way to monitor a cook.

    Performance During the Cook

    The real test of any thermometer isn’t the setup—it’s how it performs once the smoker is running.

    During my beer can chicken cook, the Chef iQ Gen 3 maintained a solid connection from start to finish. I never experienced a disconnect, never had to reconnect the probes, and never found myself troubleshooting the app while trying to manage the cook.

    Temperature accuracy also appeared to be very good. Rather than simply trusting the readings on the screen, I checked the temperatures using a separate instant-read digital thermometer.

    The readings matched what I expected to see, giving me confidence that the probes were accurately tracking the cook.

    One of the biggest benefits of a quality thermometer is being able to monitor temperature changes without constantly opening the smoker. If you’re struggling with fluctuating temperatures, check out my guide on Why Your Smoker Temperature Keeps Swinging and How to Fix It.

    While it’s still too early for me to make long-term claims about durability or reliability after only one cook, my first experience left me impressed with both the connection stability and temperature accuracy.

    What I Liked About the Chef iQ Gen 3

    After my first cook with the Chef iQ Gen 3, the biggest advantage was simple: no wires.

    I’ve used wired thermometers for years, and while they get the job done, dealing with probe wires is never the fun part of a cook. With the Chef iQ, the entire process felt cleaner and more convenient from start to finish.

    Inserting the probes into the meat was easier. Removing them when the cook was finished was easier. Cleanup afterward was easier. Without cables attached to each probe, there was simply less to manage.

    I also appreciated not having to route wires out of the smoker or worry about them getting in the way while tending the fire. Once the probes were in place, I could close the lid and focus on the cook.

    The app was another pleasant surprise. After the initial setup and learning curve, it was straightforward to use and made monitoring temperatures simple.

    Most importantly, the wireless design delivered exactly what I was hoping for when I bought it: convenience. Instead of feeling like I was managing equipment, I felt like I was simply cooking barbecue.

    Things to Know Before Buying

    No piece of BBQ equipment is perfect, and there are a few things potential buyers should know before purchasing the Chef iQ Gen 3.

    The first is the price. At $129.95 for the three-probe package, the Chef iQ costs considerably more than many traditional wired thermometers. If your current thermometer is working well and you don’t mind dealing with wires, the price may be difficult to justify at first.

    I also found that the placement of the charging base matters. During my first cook, I spent a little time figuring out the best location for maintaining a strong connection between the probes and my phone. Once I found the right spot, I didn’t experience any connection issues, but there was a brief learning curve.

    The only other thing I’d like to see is more probes. The three-probe package is plenty for many cooks, and I only used two probes during my beer can chicken cook. However, when smoking multiple pork butts, several racks of ribs, or a combination of meats, I can see situations where additional probes would be useful.

    None of these issues were deal breakers for me, but they’re worth considering before making the investment.

    Final Verdict

    After my first cook with the Chef iQ Gen 3, I can honestly say I’d buy it again.

    The wireless design delivered exactly what I was hoping for when I decided to move away from wired thermometers. From inserting the probes to monitoring temperatures and cleaning up afterward, the entire process felt simpler and more convenient.

    The thermometer maintained a strong connection throughout my cook, the app was easy to use once I completed the initial setup, and the temperature readings matched what I saw with my instant-read digital thermometer.

    While the price is higher than many wired alternatives, the convenience was immediately noticeable and made the upgrade worthwhile for me.

    I think the Chef iQ Gen 3 is a solid option for both beginners and experienced pitmasters. Beginners will appreciate the straightforward operation and easy-to-use app, while experienced BBQ cooks will enjoy the freedom that comes with a truly wireless system.

    One final note: this review is based on my first cook with the Chef iQ Gen 3. As I continue using it on future cooks, I’ll update this article with additional observations and long-term impressions.

    For now, though, the Chef iQ Gen 3 has earned a permanent place in my BBQ toolbox.

    If you’re interested in learning more about the Chef iQ Gen 3 or checking current pricing, you can find it on Amazon here: Chef IQ Gen 3