Happy New Year from Smokeitupnow.com! I hope the start of your year brings loads of great food, laughter, and maybe a bit of extra smoke on your backyard grill. Whether you’re a weekend pitmaster or just dipping your toes into the world of slow smoked brisket, I’m glad you’re part of this awesome grilling and smoking community. I wanted to kick off the year by sharing a little bit about how Smokeitupnow.com works, and how you can use the site to fire up your grilling game all year long.
About Smokeitupnow.com
Smokeitupnow.com was born out of my passion for grilled and smoked foods. I test out new gear, experiment with recipes, and share tips that I genuinely find helpful. If you’ve ever burned a burger or ended up with dry ribs, you’re in good company. Nobody gets it perfect every time, but learning together is half the fun.
The site is designed to be your go-to resource for everything from smoker reviews to simple rub recipes and troubleshooting those mysterious grill flare ups. Like a lot of food and BBQ blogs these days, I also keep things running by sharing links to products I use or recommend. Here’s what that means for you, and how it plays out behind the scenes each season.
A big focus for me is making it easy for folks at all skill levels to pick up new techniques or try out trending recipes. I love checking out different regional BBQ styles, sharing stories from the road, and adding some backyard-tested tips so you don’t have to learn everything the hard way. I try to track down fun flavor combinations and step up my own skills every year, all while building a helpful site you can count on for reliable info.
Affiliate Links on Smokeitupnow.com
When you see product links on the site—things like thermometers, grills, or sauces—that’s me sharing stuff I’ve actually tried out or carefully researched. Sometimes these are affiliate links, meaning if you click through and buy something, I get a small commission. The good news: your price stays exactly the same, whether you click my link or go straight to the retailer yourself.
Affiliate commissions help cover the cost of hosting the site, buying new gear to review, and all the ribs I go through in recipe tests. This lets me keep sharing honest feedback and stay on top of the latest trends. If you ever want to ask about why I recommend something, I’m happy to chat or point you to reviews and extra info.
What makes the affiliate programs here different? I’m selective, only picking gear I believe will give you a boost, save time, or up your BBQ game. My priority is making sure the gear or sauces I mention are genuinely worth checking out.
How Affiliate Programs Work Here
This isn’t one of those sites crammed with popups or ads on every inch of the page. I want you to have a smooth experience from start to finish. Here’s a quick breakdown of the main affiliate options you might spot throughout the site:
Amazon Affiliate Program
Smokeitupnow.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. That’s a big name, but it just means I can link to grills, rubs, gadgets, and books on Amazon. If you make a purchase within 24 hours, I’ll earn a tiny percentage. No changes to your cost whatsoever. Whether you buy the exact item I linked or pick up something else during your visit, it still helps support the site. If you ever see a link that starts with amazon.com/ or includes any Amazon special code, that’s an affiliate link helping out the site.
Grilling and BBQ Product Affiliates
Some great small batch brands, grilling gadget companies, and specialty retailers also team up with folks like me. If I find a unique cutting board, a killer new rub, or a smoker that really impresses me, I might become an affiliate partner for that brand. Again, these links work the same way: you click, buy if you like it, and my site receives a small cut. Your price doesn’t change. This allows me to keep testing new products, writing in-depth reviews, and keeping the content honest and actionable.
Shopping at Smokeitupnow.com—What Stays the Same for You
Your grilling adventure shouldn’t come with hidden costs or surprises. Using my affiliate links doesn’t add a penny to your total. I also try to list any deals, coupons, or discounts I stumble upon as extra bonuses, so you always get max value. If I get advance notice on grilling gear sales or sneak peeks at new rubs, you’ll hear about it right here or in the weekly newsletter.
Transparency is super important to me. I do my best to clearly mention when a link could earn me a commission, so you can make an informed choice. If a post or page doesn’t mention it, there’s nothing sneaky going on. I just like spotlighting great tools and tasty sauces that make outdoor cooking more fun and low stress.
Sponsored Content and Reviews
I know it can be tough to trust food reviews or gear guides online, so here’s what you should know: I don’t write sponsored posts where a brand pays me to say only good things about their stuff. Everything you read is based on my own experience, honest opinions, and what actually works at the grill or smoker in my own backyard.
If there ever is a paid partnership, like testing out a new grill before it hits the shelves, I’ll call that out right at the top of the post. My main goal is to give you straight up advice. If I don’t trust a product at my own cookouts, you won’t see it featured here—simple as that.
Building the BBQ and Smoking Community
I genuinely love hearing from readers, whether you’re a first timer grilling up chicken wings or a regular making your own bacon. The comment sections, email responses, and social channels are all chances for us to swap tips, share mishaps, and even settle friendly debates about brisket trimming or sauce preference. No question is too basic, and nobody’s grilling adventure is ever really finished.
I also keep a running list of requests for product reviews, recipes, and technique guides. If something’s bugging you with your pellet smoker, or you want a step by step on Texas style ribs, drop me a line. I want the site to be packed with things you’ll actually use, not just fluff for search engines. When I update an old recipe or tweak my signature rub, you’ll see those notes right inside the post—so be sure to save your bookmarks and revisit often!
We’re steadily building a group of backyard cooks of all experience levels willing to pitch in with advice or share hard-won lessons. If you run into a grilling roadblock, mention it in the comments or email, and there’s a good bet another reader has some smart tips to send your way. The BBQ and smoking community is all about helping each other keep moving forward and not sweating the occasional charred meal.
Grilling Resolutions for the New Year
This is the season when a lot of us want to take our barbecue game up a notch. Over the next few months, I’ll be adding more how-tos for things like locking in that authentic wood smoke flavor on a gas grill, keeping brisket juicy, and choosing the right fuel for your setup. Expect new recipes for smoked sides, creative grilled breakfasts, and desserts you can whip up while the main dish finishes cooking.
If you’re trying out a new grill or smoker this year, be sure to check the buying guides and first timer tips. There’s nothing more frustrating than firing up your new gear only to realize you forgot a grill brush or a reliable thermometer! I test and review each type of smoker (offset, pellet, kamado, and others), so you can dodge rookie mistakes and get dinner done with less stress. And if you’re curious about advanced tips—smoking at high altitudes, cold smoking cheese, or even grilling in winter—I’ll be sharing detailed guides as we move through the year.
Contact Me—and Stay Connected!
I’m always just an email away if you want to chat about gear, trade grilling fails, or ask about a recipe. Feedback helps make the site more helpful for everyone, so don’t be shy. There’s a newsletter signup where I share monthly updates, answer reader questions, share BBQ deals, and talk about what’s coming up next. Social media is also a great place to follow along; I post quick tips, new finds, and answer questions pretty quickly there as well.
If you have a suggestion for a product test, a tricky recipe challenge, or just want to share your own favorite grilling win (or disaster), shoot a message any time. I love swapping ideas and building a place where folks feel welcome and inspired to fire up the grill, no matter their starting point.
Thanks for Visiting and Cheers to a Flavor Packed Year!
Thanks for making Smokeitupnow.com your grilling and smoking connection. Here’s to plenty of food, fun stories around the smoker, and maybe a new favorite recipe or tool in your collection. Whether you’re here for a quick tip or showing up each week to trade grilling stories, I’m glad we get to share another year of great eats together. Fire up that smoker, invite some friends, and let’s make this the best BBQ year ever!