I'm a barbecue pitmaster who shops at Costco. Here are 13 things I love to buy there and how I use them.

By: Eammon Azizi

19 May 2025 at 07:44

costco kirkland lamb display next to photo of folding table display — I'm a barbecue pitmaster who regularly shops at Costco.
Eammon Azizi

I'm a creative director and writer, but I'm also a barbecue pitmaster who loves shopping at Costco.
I get barbecuing essentials at Costco like Kingsford charcoal and Kirkland's Stretch-Tite wrap.
I also buy yard games, foil, water bottles, and meat in bulk.

My day job is as a creative director and writer, but my "delicious job" is as a barbecue pitmaster and competition cook.

In Buffalo, New York, I take advantage of the beautiful spring and summer weather by grilling and smoking food as much as possible. During the fall and winter, it's all about tailgate season.

I love picking up my ingredients and supplies at Costco because the quality of proteins and products is usually fantastic. Plus I can also stock up on things that'll last for months.

Here are 13 of my Costco essentials when it comes to barbecuing.

Editor's Note: Item price and availability may vary.

Big bags of Kingsford charcoal are a necessity.

stacks of coal in costco — Kingsford charcoal is one of my favorites to buy.
Eammon Azizi

In my experience, Costco is also one of the few places where I can find the highest quality briquettes at such a low price. Typically, I pick up a 36-pound package of Kingsford charcoal.

This brand is my favorite for searing because the briquettes burn extremely hot and clean. I use these when cooking steaks, burgers, and even hot dogs.

Tents can make barbecuing easier.

tent display in costco — Tents help keep me and my food in the shade.
Eammon Azizi

Instead of fighting the sun or wet weather while I barbecue, I always have at least one or two tents up. Tents also keep food from sitting in the sun or getting rained (or snowed) on.

I'm always ready to bring out some folding tables.

stack of folding tables in costco — Folding tables come in handy for cooking.
Eammon Azizi

Folding tables are essential and extremely useful when it comes to barbecuing and prepping food. I always have two or three of these up on my patio — one for prep, one for tools, and the last for plating.

Because the tables fold up compactly, they also fit into a car or truck for easy transport.

Swift pork-loin backribs cook up beautifully.

ribs on display in costco — Swift backribs are great in a smoker.
Eammon Azizi

When I season up and put a rack of ribs on the smoker on the first nice day of the year, I know it's officially barbecue season.

These Swift backribs at Costco usually come in packs of three, which fit perfectly on my smoker.

I cook mine to the point where I can get a perfect clean bite that comes off the bone without all of the meat falling off with it.

Costco's Kirkland Signature label has solid meat options for when I want to try something new.

kirkland lamb chops in cooler at costco — I always check to see what Kirkland Signature has on offer.
Eammon Azizi

I'm always looking for something new to cook, and Kirkland Signature usually has some decent options, like a rack of lamb.

I like making a rub with a few herbs, searing the rack, and then cooking it to a perfect medium. I finish the meat at an internal temperature of around 125 degrees Fahrenheit.

And, in my opinion, if you don't think you like lamb, it's probably because it was overcooked.

Big, sturdy coolers are an absolute must if you're barbecuing.

white cooler display in costco — Coolers can help meat hold its temperature.
Eammon Azizi

Coolers are a must for any barbecuer — and they do more than just keep meat and beverages cold.

When I cook something that finishes early, like a brisket or pork shoulder, I cover the meat in foil so it can rest, wrap that with a towel, then place it in a cooler.

This way, the meat holds its temperature for a few hour,s and I can pull it out when everyone's ready to eat.

Folding wagons are incredibly helpful.

fabric cloth wagon on display at costco — I use folding wagons to transport supplies.
Eammon Azizi

Folding wagons are such a great help, especially if you're cooking at a park or location that's not your home base.

I'll fill it with things like ingredients and utensils to roll from the parking lot to the barbecue spot.

Costco is also a decent place to pick up cookers or smokers.

cooker surrounded by boxes in costco — I like cooking with charcoal.
Eammon Azizi

Of course, we can't forget the actual grill or smoker. I'm a charcoal cooker, but some of my barbecue buds love cooking on pellet, propane, and electric smokers.

In my opinion, though, just choose whichever cooker helps you get the job done right.

I always get my foil in bulk.

foil on display at costco — I go through a lot of foil when I cook.
Eammon Azizi

It's amazing how much foil I go through when I'm cooking outdoors.

First off, I use it to overcome the stall — when you're smoking a large piece of meat and the internal temperature of it stops rising or goes down — on big cuts of meat. Wrapping the meat with foil can help.

I also use foil to cover raw meat, pack in flavor, and dish out leftovers.

Kirkland Signature Stretch-Tite wrap is also a must-have when it's time to barbecue.

kirkland plastic wrap in yellow boxes on display at costco — I buy big rolls of Kirkland Signature Stretch-Tite wrap .
Eammon Azizi

Of course, with meat, we also have side dishes. Instead of leaving the sides out unprotected, I like to use Stretch-Tite to cover bowls and serving dishes.

It's also a great place to get gloves for food prep.

box of heavy duty black gloves — Gloves can be really helpful when it comes to trying to safely pepare food.
Eammon Azizi

I'm big on food safety, so I always have boxes of nitrile gloves handy for handling meat.

I choose nitrile because they're durable, stretchy, and never have a powdery substance or aroma that can transfer to food.

I buy water in bulk at Costco, too.

poland springs water bottles on wood palette at costco — Costco is a solid place to find affordable water bottles.
Eammon Azizi

It gets hot when you're standing by the grill or smoker all day. These big packs of water keep me hydrated.

Lastly, Costco is a solid spot to buy yard games that keep me and my group entertained while I barbecue.

black and red corn hole game in a costco — I've found cornhole at Costco.
Eammon Azizi

Sometimes it takes an hour or two to finish cooking, so I make sure to have something fun for everyone to do while we wait.

Yard games, like cornhole, are a safe bet — and Costco usually has a decent selection of them.

Click to keep reading Costco diaries like this one.

This story was originally published on June 18, 2023, and most recently updated on May 19, 2025.

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