Ace Hardware's 2026 Memorial Day sale runs from May 13 through May 25, and if you wait until the weekend of the holiday to start shopping, you'll likely find the best stock already gone. That's not a scare tactic — it's just how holiday grill sales work, and this one is genuinely worth moving on early. The sale covers a solid range of brands — Weber, Blackstone, and Traeger among them — with discounts on gas grills, pellet grills, griddles, smokers, bundles, and accessories. Ace Rewards members also get 3x points on Weber grills $399 and up, which adds real value on top of the sale price. On the logistics side, qualifying grills come with free assembly and delivery, and local pickup is available if you'd rather skip the wait. Those details matter more than most shoppers realize when you're buying something that weighs a few hundred pounds. This guide isn't organized by store aisle or product category — it's built around how you actually shop, meaning by cooking style, budget, and what you genuinely need right now, whether that's a full grill replacement or a few smart accessories to round out your setup. You're fully capable of making a confident buying decision here without spending an hour scrolling through listings. The article starts with the strongest deals worth your attention first, then works through cooking style, budget tiers, upgrade picks, and fast buying tips — so where do the best values actually land this year?

Start With the Deals Most Shoppers Should Check First

Before working through the full breakdown by cooking style and budget, a handful of deals are worth pulling up right now — these are the ones with the strongest combination of price drop, practical value, and broad appeal across different types of outdoor cooks.

• Traeger Woodridge WiFi Wood Pellet Grill — $799 (down from $899): This is the go-to pick for anyone who wants to smoke without babysitting the grill, since the app lets you "control and monitor your cook from anywhere, set temperature alarms" without stepping outside.
• Blackstone Iron Forged 4-Burner Griddle — $479.99 (down from $549.99): The flat-top surface handles everything from smash burgers to stir-fry at high heat, and Blackstone accessories are currently 25% off, which makes this the strongest deal for anyone building a complete griddle setup from scratch.
• Weber gas grills — multiple models on sale with Ace Rewards perks: Weber gas grills are the most practical buy here for weeknight cooking — fast ignition, easy cleanup, and with Ace Rewards members earning 3x points on Weber grills $399 and up, the value goes further than the sticker price alone, especially with free assembly and delivery included.
• Big Green Egg Large Ceramic Grill and Smoker Kit — $1,519.99 (down from $1,669.99): This is the one cooker that handles grilling, smoking, roasting, and searing without needing a second unit, and at $150 off, it's the most capable premium option in this sale for serious outdoor cooks.

Spending time with this shortlist first means you're not sorting through dozens of listings to find the four or five deals that actually matter for most setups. Each of these stands out for a specific reason — whether that's app-based temperature control, flat-top versatility, multi-method cooking in a single unit, or the added buying perks that make a gas grill purchase go further. The deeper sections ahead break down each of these by cooking style, budget tier, and use case so you can zero in on the right fit without second-guessing the decision.

Pick Your Best New Grill by How You Actually Cook

The strongest deal isn't always the one with the biggest discount — it's the one that fits how you actually use a grill. Matching the right cooker to your habits means you'll get more out of it every week, not just on holidays.

Quick Weeknight Grilling and Small Patios

Most weeknight cooks need something that fires up fast, fits a compact outdoor space, and doesn't require much cleanup afterward. The Weber Spirit E-310 covers all of that — it's a three-burner gas grill with a 424-square-inch primary cooking area, and it heats to 580°F in 10 minutes on high. Grilling author Jamie Purviance has consistently pointed to the Spirit line as the right starting point for beginners, and Wirecutter's own testing backs that up, noting the Spirit E-310 is "simple to use and reliable." The electronic ignition means no matches, the grease management system is straightforward to clean, and Weber's parts availability makes long-term ownership easy.

Bigger Backyard Cookouts

When you're regularly cooking for a crowd — multiple proteins, sides on the grill at the same time, different heat zones running simultaneously — the Weber Genesis is the more capable tool. It offers significantly more cooking surface than the Spirit line, and its multi-burner setup delivers consistent, even heat across the entire grate. That even heating matters most when you're managing a full grill and can't afford hot spots ruining half the food.

Low-and-Slow Barbecue

Smoking a brisket or pork shoulder isn't a quick cook — it's a six-to-twelve-hour process where holding a steady temperature is everything. Both Traeger and Recteq pellet grills handle this well, using wood pellets and digital controllers to maintain precise temperatures without constant adjustment. Barbecue expert Meathead Goldwyn has noted that WiFi-enabled pellet grills are particularly useful for set-it-and-forget-it smoking, since you can monitor and adjust the cook from inside the house. Recteq tends to appeal to buyers who want a more robust build at a competitive price, while Traeger's app integration and brand support make it the more beginner-accessible option in the pellet category.

Flat-Top Cooking for Breakfast, Burgers, and Groups

A Blackstone griddle operates on a completely different logic than a traditional grill — the flat steel surface runs hot and even, which is exactly what you need for smash burgers, scrambled eggs, fajitas, and anything else that benefits from direct contact with a large cooking area. For households that host weekend brunches or cook for six or more people at once, the Blackstone Iron Forged 4-Burner handles volume in a way that a standard grate simply can't.

The Premium Buy-Once Option

Shoppers who want a single cooker that handles grilling, smoking, roasting, and high-heat searing without buying multiple units should look at the Big Green Egg. The ceramic construction retains heat exceptionally well across a wide temperature range, and the design has stayed largely unchanged for decades because it works. Spending more upfront on a Big Green Egg means owning a cooker that won't need replacing — making the current Memorial Day discount on the Large kit a genuinely worthwhile entry point for serious outdoor cooks.

Skip the Full Replacement and Upgrade What You Already Own

A working grill that just needs better tools around it doesn't need to be replaced — and the Ace Hardware Memorial Day sale has enough accessory discounts to make a meaningful difference without touching your budget for a new unit.

Here's where to focus your cart if you're upgrading rather than replacing:

• Cooking tools — A digital thermometer and a solid grill tool set are the two purchases that change how confidently you cook. The thermometer removes the guesswork from doneness, and a set that includes a spatula, tongs, and basting brush means you're not reaching for the wrong tool mid-cook. A grilling glove and a burger press round this out if you're working with high heat or want tighter smash burgers on a flat top.
• Cleaning and maintenance — "Keeping your griddle well-maintained and clean is necessary for the unit's overall safety and performance," and the Blackstone cleaning kit makes that easier to stay consistent with. Seasoning products matter just as much — seasoning the cooking surface "prevents food from sticking" and should be done before first use and as part of your regular cleaning routine.
• Protection — A grill cover or griddle cover is one of the lowest-cost ways to extend the life of outdoor equipment that sits exposed to weather between uses. UV damage, moisture, and debris add up fast without one, and covers for most standard grill sizes run well under $50.
• Convenience add-ons — A basting cover traps heat and steam directly over food on a flat-top surface, which speeds up cook times and keeps proteins from drying out. It's a small addition that changes the texture of burgers and eggs in a way that's hard to replicate without one.
• Blackstone-specific accessories at 25% off — Blackstone accessories are currently discounted as part of the Memorial Day sale, which makes this the most practical upgrade path for anyone who already owns a Blackstone griddle and doesn't need a new unit. Seasoning products, cleaning kits, and flat-top tools are all included in that discount, so the cost of a complete accessory refresh stays well within reach.

Spending under $50 on two or three of these items will have a more immediate impact on your actual cooking than a new grill would for someone whose current setup is already functional. The tools you cook with daily — the thermometer you pull out every time, the cover that keeps your griddle protected through the week — are what determine the quality of the results, not the grill brand on the side panel.

Find the Best Deal for Your Budget

Knowing what you want to cook is half the decision — knowing what you're comfortable spending is the other half. Rather than sorting through every product in the sale by category, working through the price tiers below lets you zero in on what's actually worth your money at your spending level.

Under $25

This range is where small purchases make an immediate difference without requiring any commitment. Seasoning wax keeps cast iron and flat-top surfaces protected between cooks, a burger press gives you consistent smash patties on a Blackstone griddle, and a clip-on grill light means you're not squinting at food after sunset. Charcoal is another practical grab here — stocking up during a sale costs less than buying it mid-summer when demand is high. These are the kinds of items that end up getting used every single session, which makes them worth adding to a cart even if you're not buying a new grill.

$25 to $50

The purchases in this range tend to have the most direct impact on how well a cook actually goes. A digital meat thermometer removes any guesswork about doneness, a grill tool set with tongs, spatula, and fork keeps you from improvising with kitchen tools near open flame, and a fitted grill cover protects your equipment from weather damage between uses. Heat-resistant gloves are worth including here too — they're inexpensive, and they make handling grates, cast iron, and hot accessories significantly safer. For anyone who already owns a functional grill, this tier is where a $40 to $50 investment genuinely changes the day-to-day cooking experience.

A Few Hundred Dollars

This is where the sale delivers its strongest overall value. The Weber Spirit line gives gas grill buyers a reliable, well-built cooker at a price that doesn't require a major financial stretch. Select Blackstone griddle models fall in this range too, and with Blackstone accessories currently at 25% off, a griddle purchase here comes with built-in room to add tools and cleaning supplies without blowing the budget. The Traeger Woodridge at $799 — down from $899 — sits at the upper end of this zone and is the most capable option for anyone who wants WiFi-enabled pellet smoking without stepping into four-figure territory.

Premium Long-Term Investment

Weber Genesis grills, the Big Green Egg Large kit at $1,519.99, and higher-end Recteq pellet grills are purchases built around ownership over multiple seasons rather than a single summer. The Big Green Egg handles grilling, smoking, roasting, and searing in one unit, and the ceramic construction holds heat in a way that cheaper alternatives simply don't replicate. These aren't impulse buys — they're decisions made by buyers who want to stop replacing equipment every few years.

Factoring in free assembly, free delivery on qualifying grills, and 3x Ace Rewards points on Weber grills $399 and up shifts the real cost of several of these purchases meaningfully. The sticker price tells part of the story — your ownership horizon tells the rest, whether that's one season, three seasons, or a permanent backyard setup.

Buy a Bundle Only If It Saves You Real Money

A bundle is a convenience tool first and a savings tool second — and those two things aren't always the same purchase.

1. Who bundles actually make sense for — Shoppers who are setting up a backyard grill station for the first time, moving into a new home with nothing in the garage, or replacing an old setup that's completely worn out are the ones who get the most out of a bundle. When you're starting from zero, buying a grill alongside a cover, tools, and fuel in one transaction saves you from making three or four separate purchases over the following weeks. The bundle earns its price when it solves a real gap in what you own.
2. What separates a useful bundle from a padded one — The strongest bundles include items you'd have bought regardless — a fitted grill cover, a propane tank or bag of pellets, a tool set, or prep accessories that get used every session. Weber bundles at Ace Hardware tend to follow this logic well, pairing grills with covers and accessories that complement the specific model rather than throwing in filler items. "Bundle pricing varies," and in the cases where it works, the included accessories are ones with genuine standalone value, not items that inflate the perceived total.
3. How to actually verify the savings — Pull up the bundle page, then open separate tabs for each included item sold individually. Add those prices up and compare the total against the bundle price. That math tells you whether you're getting a real discount or just the appearance of one. A bundle worth buying should save you more than the effort of that comparison — and according to industry guidance, a bundle discount worth acting on generally needs to exceed 10–15% off retail to justify the all-in purchase over buying selectively.
4. When a bundle isn't worth your money — If your garage already has a quality grill cover that fits your new unit, a full set of tongs and spatulas, and a propane tank with fuel left in it, the bundle price is covering things you don't need. Paying for a second cover or a duplicate tool set doesn't create savings — it creates clutter. The discount only holds up when the included items are ones you'd actually use, and experienced grillers who've accumulated solid gear over the years are often better off buying the grill alone and skipping the package entirely.

Factoring in Ace Hardware's free assembly and delivery on qualifying grills shifts the math in a different direction for buyers where convenience carries real weight. Getting a fully assembled grill delivered to your door — without coordinating a truck or spending an hour with an instruction manual — has practical value that doesn't show up in the bundle price comparison but absolutely shows up on the day it arrives.

Choose Gas, Pellet, Griddle, or Charcoal in Five Minutes

Still undecided on cooker type at checkout? That single question — which fuel type actually fits how you cook — is worth settling before anything else, because the wrong answer means owning equipment you'll use twice a year instead of twice a week.

Gas Grills

Gas grills suit cooks who prioritize speed and consistency on weeknights over everything else. According to BBQ Guys, "gas grills are the most popular option in America" for good reason," largely because they reach cooking temperature in roughly five minutes and deliver "independently controlled burners" that make heat management straightforward. The tradeoff is flavor — gas doesn't produce the same depth of smoke character that charcoal or wood pellets do. For a household that grills chicken and vegetables on a Tuesday evening without much ceremony, that tradeoff is completely worth it.

Pellet Grills

Pellet grills are built for cooks who want genuine smoke flavor without standing over a fire for hours managing airflow. The digital temperature controller holds a steady heat level throughout a long cook, and WiFi-enabled models like the Traeger Woodridge let you monitor the session from inside the house. The limitation here is startup time — pellet grills take 20 to 30 minutes to reach temperature, so they're not the right tool for fast weeknight dinners. Where they shine is weekend smoking sessions where a brisket or pork shoulder needs eight-plus hours of steady, hands-off heat.

Griddles

Griddles are the right call for cooks who regularly feed groups and want a wide, even cooking surface rather than a grate. The flat steel top on a Blackstone runs hot across the entire surface, which is exactly what you need for smash burgers, breakfast spreads, and stir-fry where direct contact with the cooking surface matters. The limitation is that griddles don't smoke or roast — they're a high-heat surface tool, not a multi-method cooker. For a household that hosts weekend brunches or backyard cookouts with six or more people, a griddle handles volume faster than any grill format.

Charcoal and Ceramic Cookers

Charcoal grills are best for cooks who care most about the flavor outcome and don't mind the process of getting there. The startup time runs 20 to 30 minutes, and temperature control requires more active attention than turning a knob. Ceramic kamado cookers like the Big Green Egg add versatility to that equation — they handle both extremely high searing temperatures and low slow-smoking ranges within the same unit. The investment is higher, but for serious outdoor cooks who want one cooker capable of handling every method year-round, it's the most capable single purchase in this sale.

Before You Buy

Before committing to any cooker, measure the space where it will actually live — not just the patio, but the clearance from walls and fencing. Check whether your preferred fuel is easy to source locally, since pellets and propane availability varies by neighborhood. Factor in cleanup time honestly, because flat-top griddles require more active maintenance than gas grates. Review the burner warranty on any gas or griddle model, since that coverage period signals how the manufacturer stands behind the build. Also confirm that the heat output listed in BTUs is proportional to the cooking surface area — a high BTU rating on a small grate doesn't cook better, it just burns food faster.

Checking local store inventory before heading out saves a wasted trip, especially this close to the holiday weekend. Use Ace Hardware's store locator to confirm what's in stock at your nearest location, then decide between same-day pickup or scheduled delivery based on what's available and how quickly you need it ready.

Final Thoughts

The best Ace Hardware Memorial Day grill deals aren't necessarily the ones with the steepest discounts or the highest price tags — they're the ones that actually match how you cook. A massive pellet smoker at 40% off means nothing if you only grill burgers on weeknights. That's the core idea behind everything covered in this guide.

The standout brands worth your attention this sale are Traeger for anyone serious about low-and-slow smoking, Blackstone for flat-top griddle cooking, Weber for straightforward and dependable gas grilling, and Big Green Egg if you want one grill that handles almost everything at a premium build quality.

The smartest way to work through this sale is in order — start with what you actually need, then narrow by cooking style, then set a realistic budget, and only then look at accessories or bundles. Skipping straight to bundles or accessories without that foundation is how people end up with gear they don't use.

The window to shop runs from May 13 to May 25. Popular models move fast during that stretch, and if you want free assembly or a specific delivery slot, waiting until the last few days before Memorial Day puts both at risk.

If your current grill still works fine, you don't need to replace it — a few well-chosen accessories can make a real difference in every cookout without the bigger spend. But if a replacement is overdue, this is a capable window to get it done right. Shop with a clear plan and you'll come out ahead.