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Knowledge

Here we take an in-depth look at the science of cooking, different styles of cooking available to the outdoor chef, and cover tips and techniques from knife skills to fire control, from resting meat to brining and dry aging.

We also discuss many cuts of meat, herbs and spices, food preparation, and storage of ingredients.

It’s all critical ‘must-know‘ stuff if you wish to master BBQ and grilling.

A block of beef tallow on some pink butcher paper.
Ingredients

What is Beef Tallow? Best Uses and How to Make It

When you dig deep into barbecuing, you come across new and exciting stuff to try. And today our topic is beef tallow — what is it, how do I make it and use it, and why do I want to? All will be revealed.

A paper roll full of beef jerky on a dark background.
Ingredients

The Best Cuts of Beef for Jerky — And Which to Avoid!

Beef jerky is a snack that satisfies like no other. But, if you’ve only had gas station jerky, you’re missing out on one of the most incredible things you can make in your smoker. To help you make delicious homemade beef jerky, let’s learn which cuts are best for the job.

A woman
General How Tos

Wood Pellet Storage Guide — Dos, Don’ts, and Expert Tips

If you’re new to smoking, you probably have lots of questions. And if you use a pellet grill, an important one is: what’s the best way to store wood pellets? It turns out this mystery is an open and shut case. Get the longest life and best performance out of your pellets with our guide.

lava rocks in gas grill, under a chrome or SS grate.
General Knowledge

Why Don’t Gas Grills Use Lava Rocks Anymore?

It sounds like a “when I was your age” story, but it’s not; once upon a time, we loaded up our gas grills with lava rocks. Sounds straight out of a Flintstones episode? Well, it’s true. And here’s why we did it, and why we stopped.

Ribs on a charcoal grill, with a thermometer probe attached.
General Knowledge

How Much Charcoal Should You Use in Your Grill or Smoker?

Got your bag of charcoal ripped open, and you’re ready to grill? Now you’re asking yourself, “How much of this stuff do I need?” As always, we’ve got this — keep scrolling to learn the right amount of charcoal to use for every type of grilling and smoking session.

Four kinds of peppercorns on spoons, on a white surface.
Ingredients

Different Types of Peppercorn, Pepper, Their Flavors and Substitutions

Learn all about the different types and varieties of peppercorns. From the common black, through white and green, to the more esoteric pink and red, and even some peppers that aren’t from peppercorns at all. With origins, flavor profile, and uses, there’s a lot discussed here.

Pork belly slices with very good-looking, crispy crackled skin.
General How Tos

How to Get Crispy Pork Skin and Make Crackling — Right Every Time!

Get crispy pork skin — or even better, full on crackling — by following the simple tips in this guide, that work every time. We also cover a few things to avoid, because you can sabotage your crackling even when you think you've done everything right...when you haven't!

Photos of smoked or grilled tri-tip and brisket side by side.
Ingredients

Tri-Tip Vs Brisket — What’s the Difference? Which is Best?

Tri-tip and brisket are large, very popular cuts of beef for BBQ and smoking, that produce delicious dishes and will impress any guests lucky enough for you to cook for. Learn about each, their differences, and how to choose the right one.

spare ribs vs St Louis ribs, one photo each, side by side.
Ribs

Spare Ribs Vs. St. Louis Ribs — Differences and How to Smoke Them

The difference between spare and St Louis ribs is minimal. They're close to the same thing and are mostly treated the same during cooking. Learn all about these two cuts and the subtle differences between them here, where we answer all your burning questions on these two pork rib types.

A smoked brisket flat next to some burnt ends in two photos side by side.
Brisket

Brisket Point Vs Flat — What’s the Difference? Which is Best?

The brisket is two muscles joined, commonly called the point and the flat, that when bought together are described as a whole packer brisket. What is the difference between these two halves? Why choose one over the other? Which do most think is best? Let's find out.

photos of a sirloin steak and a ribeye steak side by side.
Ingredients

Sirloin Vs Ribeye: Important Differences and Which is Better

Sirloin and ribeye, two of the most popular, most loved steaks in the world. But which is best? Or why would you choose one over the other? This detailed comparison looks at where they come from, flavor and texture, uses, and great recipes for each.

Some of the best steaks for grilling laid out on a dark surface, with spices and kitchen tools.
Grilling Theory

11 Best Steaks for Grilling — And Exactly How to Cook Each One

Because not all steaks are created equal, we decided to cook up a selection of eleven steaks for you to try on your grill. From all-time favorites to a handful of lesser-known but outstanding cuts, these are the best steaks for grilling that you simply must try.

Raw petite sirloin steaks in a tray with one sprig of parsley.
Ingredients

What is Petite Sirloin Steak? Where Does it Come From, How to Cook it

Petite sirloin is very lean and not particularly tender. This puts many people off, as there are certainly better cuts to eat from a cow. However, it’s still great tasting and, if treated right, cooks well. Learn all about it in our guide, where we think we’ll convince you to give it a try.

Three raw beef eye of round steaks with rosemary and rock salt on a dark surface.
Ingredients

Eye of Round Steak Guide — What it is, How to Cook it and More

The eye of round steak is usually reserved for cubing and stewing. But you can do MUCH better! Yes, it’s lean, it’s easy to dry out, it needs skill to cook it well, but it really can be worth it. Learn all about this under-loved cut in our guide.

A chuck eye roast on a cutting board, in front of some herbs and tomatoes.
Ingredients

What is Chuck Eye Roast — A Detailed Look at This Popular Cut

The chuck eye roast — or roll — is a neighbor to the ribeye. Maybe even more tender and just as flavorful and well-marbled, you really should check it out as it’s outstanding value for money. Learn all about it in our guide, where I’m sure we’ll convince you to give it a try!

sliced chuck eye steak on a black plate with knife and fork.
Ingredients

Chuck Eye Steak Guide — What is it? How to Cook it?

Today we look at where the chuck eye steak comes from on the cow, other names it’s known by, its taste, fat content, nutritional info, where to buy it, how to cook it, and more. By the end of this guide, you’ll be an expert on the ‘poor man’s ribeye.’

A tomahawk steak on a black surface.
Ingredients

What is a Tomahawk Steak? Where to Buy, How to Cook, and 3 Recipes

The tomahawk steak is a big slab of well-marbled, buttery, beefy ribeye with a colossal bone handle that makes it look prehistoric. Learn all about this delicious cut in our guide, including where it comes from, why that name, how to buy it, prepare it, cook it, and more.

A grilled tri-tip roast, sliced and sitting on a wooden surface.
Ingredients

What is a Tri-Tip Roast? A Deep Dive into This Magnificent Cut of Beef

The tri-tip triangle roast, cut from the sirloin, is a well-marbled, full-flavored, quite tender cut that roasts well when whole and grills well when sliced into individual steaks. Learn all about its flavor, texture, cost, typical uses, where to buy it, and how to cook it in this guide.

Beef BBQ bites with a green herby sauce.
Ingredients

What are Country Style Ribs? And How to Cook Them

Country-style ribs are lean, well-marbled, packed full of flavor, and perfect for slow cooking. They’re also relatively cheap, so they are great value. But despite the name, they aren’t actually a rib! So what are country style ribs? Learn all about them in our in-depth guide below.

skirt steak with chimichurri sauce.
Ingredients

What is Skirt Steak? A Detailed Guide on this Lesser Known Cut

Skirt steak can be one of two different muscles on the cow, the outside and inside skirt. Well-marbled with a prominent textured grain, it’s great for marinating to take on flavor and is often used in fajitas. It’s a lovely cut of beef. Learn all about it below.