Emma Braby

Writer and Barbecue Lover

Expertise

Barbecue, Grilling, Smoking (cooking), Steak, Beef

Highlights

  • Barbecuing and grilling since 2016.
  • Written for FoodFireFriends since 2020.
  • Currently owns a Kamado Joe and a Pro Q charcoal smoker.
  • Passionate BBQ enthusiast with a focus on low and slow smoking with charcoal.
  • Experienced freelance writer and editor specializing in food ingredients, cooking with and maintaining charcoal grills and smokers.
  • Skilled in creating BBQ recipes, with a particular passion for beef and steak.

Experience

I’m a content writer specializing in a few topics, with food and dogs being my favorites, and I was excited to learn I could join FoodFireFriends to share my grilling and smoking knowledge with you all.

I love a BBQ — it is the best, most original way of eating. Building a fire, controlling heat and smoke, and creating the most fantastic food is my favorite way to spend my weekends. It draws the family together and reunites us in a way that nothing else can, and with my Kamado Joe Classic II and a Pro Q Smoker, I love trying out new recipes, whatever the weather.

I am 33 years old, have had my KJ for around six years, and my ProQ smoker joined us about four years ago.

I have always loved to cook, but since leaving the Police, I can now enjoy weekends with my loved ones, and naturally, I soon found my passion for outdoor cooking. I’ve not had a complaint yet, and as long as it’s not too spicy, my English Bull Terrier is also partial to a scrap or two. So everyone’s a winner at my dinner!

My journey from BBQ novice to, as some have said, Queen of the Grill, was a learning curve, resulting in a few meat and finger casualties along the way. What I love about grilling and smoking is there are always new and exciting things to learn and cook, and thanks to websites like FoodFireFirends.com, there is now no excuse for bad BBQ!

More From Emma Braby

Grilled flat iron steak, sliced and on a black background.
Ingredients

What is Flat Iron Steak? Where to Buy and How to Cook it

Flat iron steak is a well-marbled, rich tasting thick cut taken from the chuck primal, that would make you think it's tough as old boots? But it's surprisingly tender! Learn all about it, alternative names, how to cook it, where to buy it and more.

Close up of dirty and rusted gas grill burners and flavorizer bars.
General How Tos

How To Clean Gas Grill Burners [With Video]

If your gas grill isn't heating as strongly or evenly as it once was, it could be due to clogged burner tubes. A common but easily solvable problem. Here's how to clean them to get the performance back where it should be, with a video to follow along to.

A gas grill with frying pan, bratwurst and steaks cooking.
Grills

Propane Vs Natural Gas Grills — Why Choose One Over the Other?

What are the differences between propane and natural gas grills? Besides the fuel supply, of course, there are some meaningful distinctions, and pros and cons of each. We look at those here to help you decide which you should buy and why because the answer isn’t the same for everyone.

Hanger steak on a slate chopping board with some pink pepper.
Ingredients

What is Hanger Steak? Uses, How to Cook it, and More

In this article, we look at the hanger steak, covering what it is, where it comes from, why that name, alternative names, how to source it, how to cook it, and more. By the end, you’ll be a hanger expert, and I’m sure you will want to sample some!

A clean charcoal grill on a grass lawn.
General How Tos

How to Clean Your Charcoal Grill, Ready for the Coming Grilling Season

A dirty grill not only works less efficiently, but it can also spoil the flavor of your food, ruining all your hard work and not impressing guests with the food you produce. So keeping your grill reasonably clean is essential, despite all the highly vocal ‘that grease is flavor’ crowd.

A gloved hand cleaning the inside an electric smoker.
General How Tos

How To Clean an Electric Smoker — In 9 Easy Steps

A dirty smoker can be unhygienic, produce tainted food, and be embarrassingly unsightly for any dinner party guests. So we have provided this step-by-step guide for cleaning your electric smoker, both inside and out, to keep it running smoothly, producing the best food, and extending its life.

Wood chips being added into an electric smoker via side opening.
BBQ Theory

How Often to Add Wood Chips to an Electric Smoker?

Most electric smokers have a small wood chip capacity, so you need to top them up regularly. But how often? Should you even smoke through the whole cook? Can you have too much smoke? OR should you smoke the entire cook? We answer all these questions and more below.

A gas grill being cleaned with a reversible grill brush.
General How Tos

How to Clean a Gas Grill — Inside, Outside, Grates and All Parts

In this guide, we take you through cleaning your gas grill inside and out in a few easy-to-follow steps. We cover the cleaning of all parts, surfaces, grates and all, to keep your grill looking immaculate and performing optimally while adding potentially years to its life.