When it comes to great BBQ, flavour and technique are only part of the story. The real secret lies in what happens after the cook. Resting and holding food properly can take your barbecue from good to unforgettable. That’s where YETI coolers step in—not just for keeping drinks cold, but as one of the most effective tools for hot holding BBQ.
Whether you’ve been smoking low and slow on a Weber Smokey Mountain 57cm or pushing your limits with a ProSmoke offset, a YETI cooler ensures your food stays at its best until serving time.
Why Resting & Hot Holding Food Matters in BBQ
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Juicier Results – When meat rests, the juices redistribute evenly, giving you tender, moist slices instead of dry cuts.
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Carryover Cooking – Once removed from the smoker, brisket and pork shoulders continue to rise a few degrees internally. Holding allows them to finish cooking gently without drying out.
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Flexible Serving – Especially for catering or family gatherings, hot holding means you’re not rushing to carve. Your food is ready exactly when you are.
How YETI Coolers Keep Food Hot
The same rotomoulded construction and Permafrost™ insulation that make YETI coolers unbeatable for ice retention also make them incredibly effective for heat retention. Pre-heated and properly packed, a YETI Tundra can keep large cuts of meat warm for hours.
Pro Tips for Hot Holding in a YETI Cooler:
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Pre-heat the cooler – Pour in hot (near boiling) water, close the lid, and let it sit for 10 minutes. Drain before adding food.
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Wrap your meat – Use butcher paper or foil, then wrap in clean towels for extra insulation.
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Line the cooler – Place towels on the bottom and sides to minimise heat loss.
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Keep it closed – Each time you open the cooler, valuable heat escapes.
Food Safety and Hot Holding
While YETI coolers can keep BBQ hot for hours, it’s essential to stay within safe temperature ranges. The UK Food Standards Agency recommends that hot food be kept above 63°C (145°F) to reduce the risk of bacterial growth.
This is why we recommend using a wired thermometer inside your cooler setup. At ProSmoke, our go-to choice is the ETI Dot wired thermometer. It’s affordable, reliable, and allows you to keep an eye on temperatures without opening the cooler and losing heat. With peace of mind from accurate monitoring, you can hold food for hours while keeping it perfectly safe to serve.
Perfect for Catering and Backyard BBQ
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For Caterers – A YETI cooler acts as a portable hot box, keeping briskets, pulled pork, or ribs ready to serve at off-site events.
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For Home BBQ – It gives you flexibility. Cook in the morning, hold all afternoon, and serve when guests arrive—without stress.
Conclusion
Hot holding is the hidden superpower of great BBQ. With a YETI cooler, you can rest your meats properly, serve on your schedule, and keep food both delicious and safe. Paired with an ETI Dot thermometer, you’ll always know your brisket, ribs, or pork shoulder are resting at the perfect temperature.
At ProSmoke BBQ, we believe every pitmaster—whether you cook on a kettle grill, bullet smoker, offset, or pellet cooker—should have a YETI cooler in their toolkit. It’s not just about cold drinks anymore. It’s about better BBQ, every single time.