Quetorials
Howdy,I love cooking the primitive way, with just wood and a fire. I've been fascinated and inspired by it since I was a boy.After 35 years of meddling with fires trying to conjure up the next best cook, I stumbled upon a larger purpose. I realized my "why" was less about the end product and MORE about the spiritual pilgrimage of primitive style cooking.The enjoyment of prepping wood, getting a fire going, establishing a coal bed... I love being entangled by the many challenges within a cook and that process became the gift I didn't know I needed...
What The Elite BBQ Joints Have In Common
Identifying the elite BBQ joints, you will find they have the same core principles in common.
Is It A Lot Of Work To Cook On An Offset Smoker?
Is it hard work to cook an offset smoker?
Capacity verses Quality when it comes to loading the BBQ smoker
To be a great BBQ cook, one must understand placement of the protein in the cooker has impact on the quality. Today we discuss aiming for capacity verses steering towards quality is a sensitive and opinionated subject for the many BBQ cooks.
Great Hospitality Can Only Get You So Far In A BBQ Restaurant
Shortcuts, compromises and industrialization has destroyed the restaurant industry. We dive in on how great hospitality isn't going to fix poorly prepared food.
Kansas City vs Texas BBQ / The last debate for us!
Need we say more, Texas vs Kansas City BBQ.
When A Mistake Makes A Gem In BBQ
Learning from mistakes in BBQ can delivery gems.
Do You Struggle Deep Into A BBQ Cook?
There is a plethora of Internet technique on how to do just about anything on a BBQ pit, but something not addressed enough is the coal bed dying deep into the cook. We discuss it in this episode.
Fire Grates For Improving Fire Management?
There is a debate about using a fire grate to improve fire management in an offset smoker, but if you want control of the cook, think again. We dive in.
Six Hour And Under BBQ Cooks
We spend a lot of time discussing marathon cooks, or really just discussing brisket because brisket is king. However, there are a lot of shorter cooks that can hit with deliciousness!
The Coveted Dino BEEF ribs!
The most expensive cut of BBQ is the Dino beef rib. We dive in.
Backpedaling About Competition BBQ
Had a change of mind. Sorry.
What is the worst BBQ advice you keep hearing?
The Internet keeps on going and we just take. We saw this the other day and thought, why not?
Expand Your Knowledge For GREAT BBQ / We Discuss Guests
So much information resides around BBQ processes, recipes, techniques and so on, but this episode discusses getting some additional opinions on the pod. Who do you want to see?
Cooking For 40 Using A Backyard Offset Smoker
Cooking for family, friends, co-workers, etc isn't a tall task. In today's episode we walk through cooking for a large group in the backyard with a smaller offset smoker.
What Happened To July 4th?
July 4th used to be burgers and dogs on the grill. It's changed and we've noticed.
What You Need To Know If You Want To Get Into Offset Cooking
If you're on the fence about entering the great and rewarding activity of smoking BBQ on an offset smoker, this is a helpful episode.
Bad BBQ in the backyard happens because of this...
THE most important indicator as to if your BBQ turns out great or bad is highly dependent on your preparation prior to lighting a fire. We hash it out in this episode.
The Best Tray In BBQ?
We've been to almost every relevant BBQ joint in the US, we've also cooked some of the best BBQ in both our careers. Now it's time to talk best of the best in restaurant BBQ.
The Great Debate On BBQ Sauce And It's Role In BBQ
This argument is a global argument. What role does BBQ sauce actually play in the genre of BBQ? Today we dive in on what to sauce and what to not sauce.
Do You Have To Babysit An Offset Smoker?
It's always a question folks want to know. Do I have to babysit the offset smoker to cook great BBQ? The answer is yes 100% of the time. In Episode 61 we discuss. Sorry about the audio gaff.
How To Navigate White Acrid Smoke Flowing From Your Offset/ You Don't Want It
You sure don't want white smoke, It's the first sign of acrid smoke. We navigate during episode.
BBQ Criticism Hits HARD!
We discuss what happened to Chasing Fire and handling BBQ critics.
The Trouble With Cheap Offset Smokers
Many think about getting into offset smoking, but the route of buying a cheap big box smoker is a larger deterrent than many would expect.
Throw EVERYTHING Out The Door You Know About Cooking On The Offset Smoker!
Throw everything you know out the door about smoking BBQ on the offset smoker! Episode 57
I Was Blending Cook Wood All Wrong??
I might preface that there is no single element for cooking BBQ that Jordan hasn't thought out thoroughly. Once again, the pupil learned some interesting techniques of blending cook wood in an offset smoker.
Does SIZE Matter? / Diameter of an offset smoker
If you paid for the podcast, I'd offer your money back on this one. Me and Jordan had trouble getting to the topic and we shot some bull. Apologies, we met to discuss doing our job better.
The Taylor Swift Effect For BBQ?
What does Taylor Swift have to do with BBQ? As for opening a BBQ restaurant we talk about showing up everyday, every week, every month, every year to deliver a better product to the market. We call this the Taylor Swift Effect
The Magic Of BBQ And How It Became To Be In The Backyard.
This is for the purest, the foodies, the ones who chase incredible meals. We discuss BBQ in the backyard and how it came to be and we discuss the joy it brings to the gathering of family of friends.
Choosing the RIGHT Cooker Changes EVERYTHING
Today the guys break down what actually happens when you slice into meat and why oxidation matters, to choosing the right cooker for each protein, this episode is packed with practical insights that most people overlook.
Why You Should Trim Your Briskets
In this episode, the guys dive into smoking lamb, building the perfect chopped beef sandwich, and why skipping a proper brisket trim can lead to disappointing results. From flavor to technique, it’s all about getting the most out of your cook.
Smoking Fish on an Offset Smoker
Episode 50 and we’re doing it right—talking fishing, fresh catches, and throwing fish on the offset. It’s a mix of stories from the water, lessons learned, and celebrating how far this podcast has come.
How Would We Customize An Offset Smoker?
In this episode, the guys build their dream offset smoker from the ground up—breaking down every detail they’d customize if money and limitations didn’t exist. From design to size, materials, and must-have features, it’s a deep dive into the ultimate pit setup. If you’ve ever thought about designing your perfect smoker, this is the blueprint.
Making "Chasing Fire" Was A HUGE Risk
Taking a leap from traditional BBQ tutorials into something far more raw, Chasing Fire marks a bold new chapter the team has always envisioned. JD opens up about the risks, the grind, and why they walked away from network deals to keep full control of their story and their business. This episode pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to bet on yourself and build it your way.
BBQ Seasoning Deep Dive
From brisket to chicken, proper seasoning is everything. In this episode, we cover how to season each protein the right way, the impact of different salts and pepper granules, and the common seasoning mistakes we see all the time—including a few we never use ourselves.
Low & Slow vs Hot & Fast Cooking
Everyone says low & slow is the only way… but is it? Today we’re talking low & slow vs hot & fast—where each method shines, where it falls short, and how to know which one you should be using for your next cook.
Competition vs Backyard Brisket
In this episode, we break down how competition-style brisket compares to what you’re cooking at home, from flavor profiles to texture and technique. We also dive into the best ways to know when your brisket is done (not just guessing by time), plus we review a custom-built backyard smoker and what makes it stand out.
The BEST Way to Start a BBQ Career
Want to start a BBQ career? We break down the fastest way to get in—learning the pit, finding mentors, and building your own style. Whether it’s a restaurant or a food truck, this is where it starts.
The TRUTH About "High Quality" Beef
Why does store bought meat taste inconsistent and sometimes just plain bad? In this episode, we break down the truth about meat quality, why most grocery stores fall short on sourcing high-quality protein, and how the way a cow is raised dramatically impacts flavor, texture, and nutrition.
We also dive into the art of cooking over live fire why grilling over coals or an open flame brings out flavors you simply can’t replicate any other way. If you care about better BBQ, better sourcing, and better results, this one’s for you.
Powder Coat, Clear Coat, or Paint - Which Finish is BEST for Your Smoker?
Thinking about painting your smoker? We dive into the pros, cons, and myths—plus a deep look at powder coating, clear finishes, and how rust actually forms on your pit.
Top Grates vs Bottom Grates On An Offset Smoker
Top grate or bottom grate… does it actually matter? In this episode, we dive into the real differences on an offset smoker, how much meat you can actually fit on your pit, and whether castors, wagons, or trailers make the most sense for your setup.