From a 1,600-square-inch pellet smoker to rust-resistant griddles and a smart charcoal grill, this Memorial Day list brings price cuts of up to $250 on WIRED-tested favorites.
The days before Memorial Day always feel like a kind of countdown: one more shopping weekend before the season’s big backyard moment. This year, the grill makers are leaning hard into that timing—pushing deals on the smokers, griddles, and cookers WIRED’s reviews team has tested and recommended.
If you’re looking to upgrade your yard setup—or finally replace the “works fine” grill you’ve been limping through—there are discounts here that go well beyond the usual seasonal markdowns.
A standout in the pellet-smoker category is Recteq’s Flagship 1600 Pellet Smoker and Grill. a Georgia-made pellet cooker with 1. 600 square inches of cook space. It holds 40 pounds of pellets in the hopper. and the setup is designed for even heat. using a centrally located fire pot with a symmetrical heat spreader and a drip catcher that tilts toward trays on either end. The smart features let you monitor and adjust temperature from a phone. with app data on up to 30 days of cooks—though the app has “glitches here and there.” Even so. the cook performance was enough to narrowly top WIRED’s previous top pellet pick. the Traeger Woodridge Pro (8/10. WIRED Recommends).
That Traeger is also on sale: the Woodline Pro is marked down by $150 off. If you’re aiming for a full luxury cooking station, Traeger’s Timberline upgrade pick is $200 off list.
On the griddle side, the deal centers on a piece the reviewer describes as life-changing over the past year. Traeger’s Flatrock 33-inch 3-Zone Griddle is built around U-shaped burners under a conductive carbon steel grill plate. designed to deliver the “most even and reliable heat” the reviewer has tested. The promise is more than just better steak—this is the griddle that gets used for tacos and pancakes. and even bacon that “doesn’t stink up the house.” The catch is price. which is why the Memorial Day weekend cut matters: it’s $100 off. The reviewer also points to a cheaper alternative in the Traeger lineup: the Traeger 2 Zone Flatrock Griddle is on sale for $700. also $100 off list price.
Another strong value comes from Weber’s rust-resistant Slate griddles. The reviewer says the Traeger wins on evenness. but Weber’s Slate line brings the best work-station experience. with a key advantage: the griddles come preseasoned. That doesn’t remove the need to season and reseason over time to keep protection up. but it does save you an hour at setup. The 36-inch. three-burner model—the flagship—starts at $1. 000. while the 28-inch. two-burner model is framed as “maybe the best deal” on the list. That smaller griddle starts at $600 and is marked down to $550 for Memorial Day weekend.
For people who want charcoal flavor without giving up digital control. Masterbuilt’s Gravity Series 1150 Digital Charcoal Grill is on the list for $150 off. The grill brings more than 1. 000 square inches of grill space. with room for a whole brisket and a few racks or ribs. Temperature ranges from a low-and-slow 225 degrees Fahrenheit up to 700 degrees. Control comes through an electric fan. and while the app is described as “a bit tetchy. ” once everything is set up the grill is presented as a “beautiful privilege” to get charcoal flavor with smart-grill control.
And if you’re drawn to ceramic cookers, the list includes a discount on Kamado Joe’s Classic ceramic model. The Classic Joe II Ceramic Grill is described as surprisingly fuel-efficient. retaining heat so well that the reviewer says they mentally halved their lump charcoal budget once they got used to the long-lasting heat. The deal is $150 off for Memorial Day weekend. To run it. the reviewer urges investing in a good coal chimney. and for temperature control recommends a smart-grill upgrade: remove the built-in thermometer and replace it with a Chefstemp Protemp S1 digital controller for $85. paired with a ChefsTemp probe for $120. to enable app-supported monitoring of meat and ambient temperatures.
If you’re already invested in a Weber kettle or ceramic cooker. the reviewer also links to a quick guide for upgrading them to smart grills—because for this Memorial Day season. the most compelling deals aren’t just about buying a new cooker. They’re about turning what you already have into something you’ll actually use all year.
Memorial Day grill deals pellet smoker discount smart grill outdoor griddle Traeger Flatrock Recteq Flagship 1600 Weber Slate griddles Masterbuilt Gravity 1150 Kamado Joe Classic Joe II Chefstemp Protemp S1