Are you ready to become "Master of the BBQ Pit?" Learning how to barbecue can be a bit overwhelming, but I will guide you step-by-step through the whole process. The detailed information and pictures here at the smokin’ barrel will make learning how to barbecue, well..simple.
Around here Barbecue isn't just a way to cook or smoke meat...it's a way of life. For us, BBQ isn't just part of the party, it is the PARTY!
There ain't NOTHING better than being with friends and family, hanging around the BBQ smoker (that you built), having a few drinks while smelling the beautiful aroma of a wood burning barbecue pit and hearing the faint sizzle of the fat slowly rendering into liquid love and gently rolling down the sides of the meat, basting it as it adds a hypnotizing flavor to the smoke and air....only 1 word properly describes it: "Heaven"
Picture this conversation with your best friend, while having a cold beer next to your homemade smoker...
Him: "Wow, it sure smells good. What's in the smoker?"
You: "It's a 10 pound Pork Butt, I'm using a blend of hickory and pecan wood for a nice smoky flavor."
Him: "Man, that sounds delicious. How long does it take to BBQ something like that?"
You: "Oh, 'bout 12 to 16 hours or so. I keep the bbq pit at 225 degrees and just baste her a little every once in a while."
Him...(in total amazement. You are his new hero at this point) "WHAT! How in the world do you keep the bbq smoker going so long and keep the temperature steady? My BBQ grill will NOT do that! What kind of bbq pit is that?"
You...(Trying to hold back a huge ear-to-ear smile from that tingly feeling of pride and joy) This is the part where you really shine as a beacon of BBQ light. Watch his face when you tell him this: "Simple. I needed a barbecue pit that would be able to cook slow and low, be easy to use, be fuel efficient, and not need constant attention. So I decided the best option was to build my own BBQ Smoker!"
As you can see from this little conversation, you quickly become a BBQ Super Star in the eyes of everyone you cook for. And this is even before they see and taste the barbecue pork butts, ribs, briskets, chicken, and other succulent barbecue foods you have blessed them with. When it's time to pull that beautiful piece of meat off the BBQ pit it seems to always become more of a ceremony, in YOUR honor. People start coming out of the wood work to get a closer look and smell. To the untrained eye, it might look as though you were bringing a new born baby home to see the family for the first time. Now comes the best part....
When everyone starts eating, you won't hear a sound except for lips smackin', moaning and groining of pure ecstasy, and a bunch of random "Oh my God's!". You might want to close the windows, because the sounds may give the neighbors the wrong impression :)