Product Review Guidelines

At Carnivore Style, we understand that our readers are busy, so hunting for quality products is time-consuming and daunting.

That's why we did the heavy lifting and created a strict guidelines that give you honest and unbiased product reviews.

How We Test & Score Products

We’ve poured endless hours into developing, tweaking, and improving our testing and scoring system for meat products and cooking equipment. Our system creates a transparent and helpful quantitative assessment for readers can trust when shopping for products.

Reference the factors and scoring scale below to easily and quickly compare every important detail you should consider. We break down each factor and explain exactly how we test and score every product we review.

Price

Price matters because it directly influences consumer choice.

We assess how the product or service’s price tag compares to its delivered results (either performance or reliability), scoring based on an objective cost-benefit analysis. We then verify the clarity and completeness of pricing information provided, checking if there are hidden fees or misleading cost representations. The product's price against similar market offerings to determine its competitiveness is also considered.

Scores reflect the product or a service’s overall financial merit and its pricing honesty relative to the market.

The scale we use when determining price scores:

• 5 - Offers superior performance or service with clear, fully-transparent pricing that is significantly lower than competitors.
• 4 - Offers above-average reliability or performance for its price, with mostly transparent, competitive pricing.
• 3 - The product meets industry standards for price versus performance, offering adequate pricing and similar costs to competitors.
• 2 - Performance or reliability is subpar, with some obscured or misleading pricing details and more expensive than similar products/services.
• 1 - The product or service underperforms, with unclear, incomplete pricing information and significantly priced higher compared to competitors.

Quality

Quality is critical for consumer satisfaction.

To assess product quality, we conduct blind taste tests with diverse panels to evaluate flavor, texture, and freshness. Delivery and packaging are scrutinized by simulating shipping conditions to verify that packaging preserves the integrity and temperature of contents. We then evaluate using secret shoppers who rate responsiveness, knowledge, and helpfulness of the service team.

Scores reflect these comprehensive, empirical assessments without bias.

The scale we use when determining quality scores:

• 5 - Exceptional taste, perfect texture, and premium freshness, with highly effective packaging ensuring contents stay pristine, and outstanding service.
• 4 - Great flavor and texture with minor deviations, very good packaging that maintains condition, and generally helpful service.
• 3 - Average in taste and freshness, this product meets basic expectations with adequate packaging, with minor issues; service is acceptable.
• 2 - Subpar flavor and texture, ineffective packaging that doesn't preserve condition, and below-average service with slow and unhelpful responses.
• 1 - Poor quality and freshness, regularly spoiled products due to inadequate packaging, and frustrating, unresponsive service.
  

Taste

Taste critically shapes the overall dining experience.

We sample a standardized dish prepared from each product to evaluate the balance of spices and authenticity of flavors. The texture is examined through controlled cooking tests that check for consistency, moisture, and tenderness across multiple samples. We analyze aftertaste by noting any lingering flavors or unpleasant residues immediately following consumption.

Scores reflect the comprehensive excellence in taste, factoring in initial savor, mouthfeel, and the final palate impression.

The scale we use when determining taste scores:

• 5 - The product excels in flavor, texture, and aftertaste, offering a complex, balanced profile with ideal consistency that enhances the meal.
• 4 - Meets high standards for flavor and texture, typically excelling in flavor profile and texture with minor imperfections in the aftertaste.
• 3 - Achieves satisfactory marks for two criteria but falls short in one, typically in texture or aftertaste, despite a decent flavor profile.
• 2 - Only one of the three criteria is adequate, with the other two lacking, resulting in a less satisfying dining experience.
• 1 - Fails to meet testing criteria with an unbalanced flavor profile, poor texture, and frequently unpleasant or overpowering aftertaste.
  

Variety & Flexibility

Variety and flexibility in meat delivery are crucial for accommodating diverse dietary preferences and needs.

We assess the range of products by cataloging the types of meat offered, including cuts and species, to ensure a wide selection. Our customization options are tested by modifying orders with different cuts, quantities, and delivery frequencies to evaluate adaptability. The source and quality of meat are verified through a rigorous examination of supplier credentials and spot checks for freshness and compliance with safety standards.

Scores reflect the thoroughness of product variety, customization ease, and the highest meat quality standards.

The scale we use when determining variety and flexibility scores:

• 5 - Provides over 20 meat types, including exotic cuts, with 10+ customization options, all sourced from suppliers with stringent quality and safety checks.
• 4 - Features over 15 types of meat, including premium cuts, with five customization options, from suppliers adhering to stringent quality and freshness standards.
• 3 - Offers at least 10 popular meat types with limited customization in delivery frequency and cut selection, sourced from verified but not always top-tier suppliers.
• 2 - Provides under five basic meat types with minimal customization; sources have limited safety and quality certifications, including some outdated supplier checks.
• 1 - Fewer than three standard meat types are available, customization is ineffective, and the poorly documented sources do not meet basic quality and safety standards.
  

Shipping

Efficient shipping is essential for fresh, quality meats.

We assess delivery speed by timing how long each order takes from dispatch to arrival. We use insulated packaging to evaluate packaging quality, checking for both physical integrity and thermal insulation effectiveness. We analyze shipping cost by comparing the total charges for standard delivery across various distances and weight brackets.

Scores reflect a composite of these critical shipping factors.

The scale we use when determining shipping scores:

• 5 - Delivered within 1 day; impeccable packaging; costs less than 5% of order value.
• 4 - Delivered within 2 days; minor packaging flaws; costs 5-10% of order value.
• 3 - Delivered within 3 days; several packaging issues; costs 10-15% of order value.
• 2 - Delivered in 4 days; inadequate packaging; costs 15-20% of order value.
• 1 - Takes over 4 days; poor packaging; costs over 20% of order value.
  

Customer Service

Customer service is vital for addressing issues promptly and effectively.

We measure support channel efficacy by recording response and resolution times, scoring based on speed and effectiveness. We then assess the accuracy and clarity of information from customer representatives using consistent scripted inquiries. Additionally, we evaluate the personalization of responses through diverse customer scenarios.

Scores reflect the ability of customer service to meet these specific, operational benchmarks.

The scale we use when determining customer service scores:

• 5 - Achieves top marks in responsiveness with under 2-minute response times and 95% resolution rates, maintains clear, error-free communication, and effectively personalizes solutions.
• 4 - Exhibits high proficiency with response times under 5 minutes, resolution and personalization rates at 90-94%, and clear communication in most exchanges.
• 3 - Meets basic standards with response times under 10 minutes; communication and personalization are clear and adequate in 80-89% of cases..
• 2 - Falls short of expectations with response times and resolution rates; Communication clarity and personalization occurring in 70-79% of interactions.
• 1 - Fails to meet basic criteria with response times exceeding 15 minutes; Communication is unclear and personalization is poorly handled in most cases.
  

Durability

Durability is crucial for long-lasting performance.

We assess material type by examining if the grills and smokers are crafted from high-grade stainless steel or coated iron to withstand high temperatures and usage over time. Our environmental tests expose each unit to varying conditions including rain, humidity, and extreme temperatures to gauge their rust and corrosion resistance. Component quality is evaluated through mechanical testing of hinges, knobs, and handles to ensure they operate smoothly under repeated use.

Scores reflect the combined resilience of materials, environmental robustness, and reliability of components.

The scale we use when determining durability scores:

• 5 - Made from premium 304 stainless steel, this product is fully resistant to rust, corrosion, and UV damage, showing no wear after extensive durability tests.
• 4 - Constructed from reinforced aluminum or coated steel, this product resists harsh weather and maintains functionality with minimal degradation even after extensive use.
• 3 - Made from mixed materials, this item adequately resists environmental factors but may show early wear and require component adjustments or repairs sooner than expected.
• 2 - Constructed from basic metals or thin coatings, this product is prone to rust and damage in typical weather conditions and its components frequently fail under repeated use.
• 1 - Primarily made from low-quality materials, it deteriorates quickly and its components often malfunction or break under normal usage conditions.
  

Capacity

Capacity is crucial for matching grill size to user needs.

We assess how much food can be cooked simultaneously by a test using standard shapes to map out and calculate the total usable space. Volume capacity is evaluated by filling the grill body with water, and noting the total volume in liters, to determine its capacity to handle different cooking methods and food sizes. We then incrementally add weight to the grill to identify the maximum it can safely support without structural compromise.

Scores reflect the grill's efficiency and adaptability in various cooking scenarios.

The scale we use when determining capacity scores:

The scale we use when determining durability scores:

• 5 - 500+ square inches of surface area, 100+ liters of volume, 100+ kg of load capacity; supports large-scale, versatile cooking experiences efficiently.
• 4 - 350-499 square inches, 75-99 liters, 75-99 kg; well-suited for medium to large gatherings and diverse cooking styles.
• 3 - 200-349 square inches, 50-74 liters, 50-74 kg; meets basic requirements for small family gatherings.
• 2 - 100-199 square inches, 25-49 liters, 25-49 kg; limited functionality, recommended for small, infrequent use.
• 1 - Less than 100 square inches, less than 25 liters, less than 25 kg; not recommended due to significant restrictions in capacity and safety.
  

Features

Features are critical to performance and user satisfaction.

We assess how uniformly a grill or smoker maintains and spreads heat, using temperature sensors placed at various points. We measure the structural integrity and material quality through standardized stress tests and usage simulations. We then check versatility by checking the variety and efficacy of settings and accessories under different cooking conditions.

Scores reflect the precision, efficiency, and practicality of each feature.

The scale we use when determining features scores:

• 5 - maintains temperatures within a 5% margin of the set point, utilizes premium materials and ergonomic design, and offers more than five innovative features that enhance versatility.
• 4 - temperature deviation is less than 10%, design is high-quality but may lack some ergonomic features, includes at least four useful features.
• 3 - temperature control within a 15% margin, good structural design with standard materials, offers three functional features.
• 2 - struggles with temperature control beyond a 15% margin, design flaws apparent, has two or fewer basic features.
• 1 - fails to maintain consistent temperature, poor quality materials and design, lacks versatility with one or no additional features.
  

Warranty

Warranty evaluations are critical for protecting your investment in grills and smokers.

We assess the length of warranty by noting the total coverage period offered by the manufacturer. The comprehensiveness of coverage is evaluated by checking which parts and repair needs are included under the warranty. We determine the ease of the claim process by simulating a claim submission to observe the response time and the simplicity of the procedure.

Scores reflect the combined assurance of duration, inclusivity, and user convenience provided by the warranty.

The scale we use when determining warranty scores:

• 5 - More than 10 years of warranty, all components covered, claim process completed in fewer than 5 steps.
• 4 - 7 to 10 years of warranty, most major components covered, claim process completed in 5 to 10 steps.
• 3 - 4 to 6 years of warranty, essential components covered, claim process involves 10 to 15 steps.
• 2 - 2 to 3 years of warranty, limited component coverage, claim process lengthy and complex, more than 15 steps.
• 1 - Less than 2 years of warranty, minimal coverage, claim process very cumbersome and slow.
  

Performance

Performance in grills and smokers is crucial for consistent cooking results.

We measure temperature variability across different sections at multiple predefined intervals during a standard grilling session. For the build quality, we conduct stress tests including exposure to extreme weather and mechanical wear to evaluate durability and construction integrity. We evaluate ease of use and maintenance of the equipment by timing the complete setup, cleaning process post-cooking, and assessing the clarity of the user manual.

Scores reflect precise quantifications of these functional aspects without bias.

The scale we use in determining performance scores:

• 5 - All sections ensure less than 5% temperature variation, materials endure extreme conditions for over 5 years, and combined setup and cleaning take under 5 minutes.
• 4 - Temperature varies by 5-10%, materials last 3-5 years in harsh weather, and setup and cleaning take 5-10 minutes.
• 3 - Materials endure 1-3 years in harsh conditions with a 10-15% temperature variation, requiring 10-15 minutes for setup and cleaning.
• 2 - Temperature inconsistency ranges from 15% to 20%, materials deteriorate after a year, and both setup and cleaning take 15 to 20 minutes.
• 1 - Temperature variation is over 20%; materials deteriorate within a year; setup and cleaning process exceeds 20 minutes.