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Darren Wayland

Hi there! I'm Darren Wayland, your BBQHost. My love of great barbecue inspired me to curate this site as a resource for all my like-minded fellow pitmasters out there. When I'm not researching and learning all I can about the latest tips and techniques, you can find me at the grill—that is, if you can spot me at all through the clouds of sweet-smelling smoke. And since you asked, yes, that probably is barbecue sauce on my face. Welcome to the party!

Whether you’re smoking pork ribs or beef ribs, you have a ton of options when it comes to which smoking wood to use.  Beef and pork are both hearty enough to hold their own against rich-tasting smoke, which adds another level of complexity to the meat. But you can also use a milder wood if …

Read More about Best Pellets for Ribs: What’s in Your Hopper Today?

One of the great things about pork is that it’s hearty enough to stand up to bold-flavored smoking woods, yet not so rich that it gets in the way of the flavor profile you’re trying to create with the smoke. It’s no wonder, then, that pork is such a popular option for the smoker.  My …

Read More about Best Smoking Wood For Pork: Options to Suit Every Palate

Which pellets should you choose when you’re planning to smoke turkey? Whether you’ve purchased drumsticks or a whole bird, it’s an important question to ask. It’s true that turkey has a richer taste than chicken and can therefore stand up to bolder flavors, but it’s still crucial not to overpower the meat. That’s why I …

Read More about Best Pellets for Turkey: Which Flavors Fly Highest?

What’s the best wood for smoking brisket? Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned pitmaster, the wood you choose can make or break the barbecue. Here’s how to make your selection. Best Wood For Smoking Brisket Which wood you select depends on the flavor profile you’re trying to create. Because brisket is a hearty cut …

Read More about Best Wood for Smoking Brisket: How to Boost the Beef Flavor

Although I love having leftovers on hand, ribs aren’t the easiest smoker staple to reheat. They’re best enjoyed shortly after they’ve achieved the perfect internal temperature, when they can slide right off the bone with little effort. If you should find yourself with a batch of leftover ribs, though, the least you can do is …

Read More about Best Way to Reheat Ribs For Succulent, Juicy Results

When it’s done right, smoked chicken is succulent and juicy—and most importantly, bursting with flavor. The type of wood you use for smoking has a direct effect on the results, so it’s critical to choose the right kind. I’m here to help you with that. Best Wood For Smoked Chicken I’ve found that fruit woods …

Read More about Best Wood for Smoked Chicken: 8 Tantalizing Options

When shopping for ribs, you might have noticed that some are labeled “baby back ribs” while others are called “spare ribs.” Aside from the pricing discrepancy, what are the differences between these two types of ribs?  Baby Back vs Spare Ribs Baby back or “loin back” ribs come from the upper segment of the rib …

Read More about Baby Back vs Spare Ribs: The Devil is in the Details

When you pull your meat off the grill, do you ever notice an oily black substance on the surface? While it isn’t aesthetically pleasing, this phenomenon is not all that unusual. Our guide to black oily coated meat will give you the rundown on the cause.  Black Oily Coated Meat  That black oily substance on …

Read More about Black Oily Coated Meat: What is That Black Substance?

What is Morton Tender Quick, and can you use it instead of regular pink curing salt? More to the point, is one of these products better than the other? Let’s take a closer look so you can decide which one will best suit your needs.  Morton Tender Quick vs Pink Salt  Both Morton Tender Quick …

Read More about Morton Tender Quick vs Pink Salt: Finding the Perfect Cure

Traeger has been in the pellet grill game since 1985, when Joe Traeger created the first prototype. Though the company continues to offer reputable products, their grills can develop issues just like anything else.  Our guide to the most common Traeger Timberline 850 problems is designed to help you with the troubleshooting process. With any …

Read More about Traeger Timberline 850 Problems—And How To Fix Them