Picture this: You’ve just crushed a mountain bike ride, finished a grueling WOD, or landed the perfect wave after hours in the ocean. You’re exhausted. Hungry. And all you can think about is BBQ. But here’s the problem: most BBQ is loaded with fatty cuts, sugary sauces, and sides that are delicious – but turn … Read more
Traditionally, we know that barbecue typically consists of ribs, brisket, or burgers. But across the world, grilling traditions take on unique flavors, techniques, and aromas that will make your taste buds sit up and pay attention. From smoky South African braais to fiery Jamaican jerk, regional BBQ is as diverse as the cultures that created … Read more
Great BBQ doesn’t need a backyard. Some of the juiciest steaks I’ve ever cooked happened three stories up on a balcony where the grill had to share space with a folding chair and a sad potted plant. When you’ve got the right mini BBQ grill, flavor has no boundaries. Tiny apartments, tight balconies, even RVs … Read more
Thinking of building an outdoor cooking space in 2025? Great – but before you pick out a grill, you need to know what you’re really signing up for. he outdoor kitchen cost can swing wildly based on size, materials, and how serious you are about your barbecue cred. As a pitmaster who’s seen both DIY … Read more
When most people think of BBQ, they imagine the South: Texas brisket, Carolina pulled pork, Memphis ribs. But here’s the plot twist: New York BBQ culture is thriving, unique, and unexpectedly delicious. From smokehouses in Brooklyn to hidden gems in upstate towns, the Empire State has developed a BBQ scene that balances traditional smoke techniques … Read more
BBQ isn’t just food – it’s a ritual, a science experiment, and sometimes a little bit of magic. But here’s the thing: everyone thinks they know BBQ. And yes, we all love brisket and ribs – but what if you could break away from the norm and create a unique BBQ recipe that’s all your … Read more
Outdoor kitchens have moved from luxury to lifestyle. They’re more than a grill and counter; they’re the heart of summer gatherings, weekend brunches, and holiday feasts. But like any investment, an outdoor kitchen only stays beautiful and functional if you commit to maintaining and cleaning your outdoor kitchen regularly. Neglect it, and you risk rusted … Read more
The Beef That Breaks the Internet (and Your Expectations) If you hang around barbecue pits long enough, someone will eventually ask:“So… what’s the deal with Japanese wagyu? Why does it look like beef wearing marble pajamas?” And fair question – because wagyu isn’t just beef. It’s a global culinary flex, a luxury ingredient, and to … Read more
If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to upgrade your grill game, sharpen your BBQ arsenal, or finally retire that rusted kettle you “swear still works fine,” Cyber Monday 2025 is the day you’ll want marked, circled, highlighted, bookmarked, and maybe tattooed on your forearm. Every year, Cyber Monday hits the BBQ world like … Read more
If you think a BBQ is just tossing meat on a grill and hoping for the best, you’ve clearly never experienced a South African braai. Here, the fire isn’t just heat – it’s a ritual. The meat isn’t just food – it’s the centerpiece of friendship, laughter, and tradition. This isn’t a lecture on how … Read more
If you’ve ever walked past a Korean BBQ restaurant and smelled that sweet, smoky aroma, you probably stopped in your tracks. That smell? That’s Korean bulgogi, and it’s the dish that has people around the world hooked. Think of it as marinated, thinly sliced beef that’s tender, flavorful, and quick to cook. It’s sweet, salty, … Read more
Thanksgiving is synonymous with family, gratitude, and that unmistakable aroma of roasting turkey filling the house. But have you ever stopped mid-bite to ask yourself: why turkey? Why not chicken, venison, or even seafood? The story of thanksgiving turkey is a mix of history, practicality, culture, and a pinch of marketing genius. Let’s carve into … Read more
Imagine cooking under the sun, flipping steaks while your guests lounge nearby with drinks in hand. That’s the magic of a well-designed outdoor kitchen. More than just a grill, it’s a functional, stylish extension of your home where entertaining, cooking, and relaxing converge. Outdoor kitchens are not just a luxury – they’re an investment in … Read more
By Your Friendly Neighborhood Pitmaster (The guy who owns more thermometers than socks.) Why Black Friday is a National Holiday for BBQ People For most folks, Black Friday is a chaotic shopping frenzy full of crowded malls and questionable “deals.” For pitmasters, chefs, and backyard grill enthusiasts, it’s Christmas morning, opening day, and the meat … Read more
If you’ve ever stood over a grill, skewer in hand, and thought, “Kabobs are simple,” let me gently and lovingly correct you. Middle Eastern kabobs are not simple – they’re a whole universe. They’re culinary history on a stick. They’re spice diplomacy. They’re the reason your neighbor suddenly appears in your yard the moment the … Read more
If there’s one Filipino combo that never fails to make dinner feel like a celebration, it’s grilled pork liempo paired with pancit canton. You get smoky, caramelized pork with juicy noodles and crunchy veggies – all in one plate. And the best part? You don’t need a Michelin-starred background to nail it. With the right … Read more
Grilled chicken isn’t just dinner. It’s an experience. The sizzle, the aroma, the little flare-ups that make you feel like a backyard pitmaster – even if you’re wearing a pair of faded sweatpants. This guide isn’t about complicated sauces or exotic cuts. It’s about mastering grilling chicken so every piece is juicy, flavorful, and cooked … Read more
Grilling steak sounds simple, right? Throw it on the grill, wait a few minutes, flip it, done. But if you’ve ever bitten into a steak that’s dry, bland, or unevenly cooked, you know the truth: grilling steak well is both an art and a science. Here’s the good news: you don’t need to be a … Read more
Let’s face it – there’s nothing quite like the smell of charcoal, the hiss of a flame, and the sizzle of meat hitting a hot grate. But high-end grills? They can cost as much as a used car. And sometimes, your backyard doesn’t need a Cadillac; it needs something functional, durable, and entirely your own. … Read more
There’s nothing quite like the smell of lechon manok (chicken rotisserie) roasting over charcoal or wood. That aroma – smoky, garlicky, and slightly sweet – can make a grown person drool in seconds. For Filipinos, lechon manok isn’t just food; it’s culture on a spit. From street carts spinning slowly in Manila to family gatherings, … Read more
Grilling isn’t just about fire and flavor – it’s about chemistry, nutrition, and that invisible layer of goodness happening on a molecular level. Every sizzle on the grill marks a moment when micronutrients – the unsung heroes of your diet – get a little smoky upgrade. I’ve spent years at the grill, feeding everyone from … Read more
If your weekends smell like smoke and sizzling steak, this one’s for you. Grilled food is one of life’s pure joys – flame-kissed ribs, charred veggies, juicy skewers. But let’s face it: even the “healthy” grilled meals can sneak in a few hundred extra calories (especially once the sauces join the party). Here’s the good … Read more
There’s something timeless about a good grill. The sound of sizzling meat, the smell of smoke, the easy laughter over a camp chair and a cold drink. Now add an open road and 3,000 miles of sky – and you’ve got the great American road trip BBQ. This isn’t just about food. It’s about the … Read more
By your friendly neighborhood pitmaster who thinks the ocean deserves a little smoke too. Grilling Meets the Waves Picture this: the sun’s leaning low on the horizon, the water’s calm, and that first hiss of meat hitting hot metal breaks the silence. You’re not in your backyard anymore – you’re grilling on a yacht, salt … Read more
You can smell it before you see it – the faint wisp of smoke, the sizzle of fat hitting hot metal, the unmistakable promise that someone, somewhere, is about to eat well. But here’s the thing: grilling outdoors isn’t just about food. It’s about feeling good – a primal kind of good. The kind that … Read more
Fire, Flavor, and Freedom There’s something about cooking over open fire that makes even a simple meal feel legendary. The crackle of wood, the smell of smoke, the quiet hum of the forest – it all turns dinner into an experience. And when you master how to grill while camping, that experience only gets better. … Read more
There’s something universal about smoke. It doesn’t matter if you’re flipping brisket in Texas, turning skewers in Seoul, or slow-roasting ribs in Dublin – smoke draws people in. It signals warmth, flavor, and a good time. Every pitmaster knows: great barbecue isn’t just food, it’s a conversation in fire, meat, and patience. And some of … Read more
Fire, Flavor, and the Human Story Before microwaves, air fryers, and Instagram food reels, there was fire. Just fire – and a hungry human staring at it, wondering what would happen if a chunk of meat hit those flames. Spoiler alert: dinner happened, and so did history. The history of grilling and BBQ is really … Read more
The Mediterranean Secret to a Perfect Summer The coals crackle. The olive oil gleams. Somewhere nearby, someone’s shouting for more lemon wedges. That’s not just dinner – that’s the Mediterranean diet style grilling at work. In the Mediterranean, summer isn’t a season. It’s a state of mind — warm evenings, simple food, slow conversation, and … Read more
There’s something about grilled lobster that makes people nervous. They’ll toss a ribeye on the flames without blinking but freeze up the moment they see a shell and antennae. I get it – lobster feels fancy, like something that should come with a white tablecloth and a sommelier. But here’s the truth: grilling lobster is … Read more
Grilling seafood scares a lot of people. It’s delicate, expensive, and if you blink too long, it goes from perfect to fish jerky. I’ve watched grown men nail a brisket for 12 hours, then panic over a fillet of salmon. Truth is, seafood doesn’t need fear – it needs finesse. So grab your tongs and … Read more
You know the scene. The party’s over, everyone’s full, and you’re standing over a tray of smoky ribs and pulled pork, wondering: “How long does BBQ last in the fridge before it turns into a science project?” As a pitmaster, I’ve been there – clutching a Ziploc bag of brisket like treasure, convincing myself I’ll … Read more
You’ve spent 12 hours babysitting that brisket. You’ve tended the fire like it’s your firstborn. And when you finally slice in – bam. Tough brisket. Every pitmaster has been there. You’re ready for melt-in-your-mouth perfection, but your brisket fights back like shoe leather. The good news? You didn’t ruin it – you just didn’t finish … Read more
There’s something primal and perfect about fire meeting the ocean breeze. You’ve got smoke in the air, salt on your lips, and the sound of waves mixing with the crackle of charcoal. Welcome to the beach BBQ party – the most relaxed, delicious, and slightly chaotic way to spend a day outdoors. But make no … Read more
You know that moment when you slap a steak on the grill and hear that angry hiss? The smoke curls up, the smell hits you, and suddenly everyone nearby starts looking hungry. That’s not just cooking – that’s chemistry. What’s happening on that sizzling surface is something called the Maillard reaction – the scientific reason … Read more
It happens to the best of us. We unearth a package of raw meat that’s been sitting in the fridge for days—maybe even a week. The question is, can we still salvage it, or do we have to throw it out? If you’ve had raw ground beef in fridge for 7 days or more, here’s … Read more
Freezing meat is a great way to preserve it for later use. Since products made from ground meat tend to spoil quickly, it’s great to have this option. How long is frozen sausage good for, and how long can you expect it to last once it’s thawed? You’ll want to know the answers in advance, … Read more
Wondering how long to smoke chicken at 250 degrees? Look no further. Our ultimate guide will help you make an educated guess as to how long you can expect your chicken to be on the smoker. How Long to Smoke Chicken at 250 Degrees How long to Smoke Chicken at 250 Degrees, well, a whole … Read more
Assuming that you have a freezer big enough to accommodate a pork shoulder, you might want to consider storing some of it for a later date. But can you freeze pork shoulder without destroying the texture? And is it better to freeze it before or after cooking? In our guide to freezing pork shoulder, we’ll … Read more