Our Story
"COOKING OUTSIDE IS YOUR KITCHEN 'HALL' PASS. MILK IT. TAKE YOUR TIME. THE BEST FOOD HAPPENS WHEN YOU'VE PLANNED AHEAD AND TAKEN IT LOW AND SLOW"
- STERLING "BIG POPPA" BALL
WHETHER YOU ARE A HOME CHEF, BACKYARD BBQ PRO, GRILLING NEWBIE OR WORLD BARBECUE CHAMPION - WE HAVE WHAT YOU NEED TO CREATE THE VERY BEST BARBECUE.
Founded in 2009 by Sterling "Big Poppa" Ball, Big Poppa Smokers is one of the leading online retailers for high-quality grills, smokers, outdoor barbecues, rubs, sauces, fuels, and accessories. With a small USA-based customer service team, we believe in providing our customers with the very best customer service in the business. With a hand-picked selection of the very best in barbecue supplies, the Big Poppa Smokers team is here to help you acheive barbecue greatness.
We have everything you need for cooking outdoors, and it's all pitmaster approved by Sterling "Big Poppa" Ball himself. From award winning rubs and sauces to American made BBQ grills and smokers, Big Poppa Smokers has everything you need to become a backyard barbecue hero.
WHY I COOK: BIG POPPA'S BBQ STORY
BIG POPPA SMOKERS RUBS + GRANNY'S SAUCE
Aside from being a one-stop-online-BBQ-shop, we're also knows for our best-selling rubs and seasonings. Popular barbecue rub flavors like Sweet Money, Cash Cow, and Double Secret are proven winners on the competition BBQ circuit AND in the backyard. With 13 perfectly balanced flavors, Big Poppa Smokers rubs and seasonings will transform your meals from ordinary to extrordinary. Whether you're cooking to impress the judges, or grilling in the backyard with your family, Big Poppa Smokers' best selling rubs and seasonings will not disappoint.
Big Poppa Smokers is also the proud owner of the award-winning Granny's barbecue sauce. Looking for a new go-to barbecue sauce that will please everyone? The traditional, yet unique flavor of Granny's BBQ sauce reminds of why we fell in love with barbecue in the first place.
BIG POPPA'S DIY DRUM SMOKER KIT & PARTS
Big Poppa worked closely with the engineering team at the Music Man Guitar Factory in San Luis Obispo, CA to make sure his DIY Drum Smoker Kit had everything you need to create your own, authentic, outdoor cooker.
If you're a backyard barbecue enthusiast looking for a DIY smoker project, the Big Poppa Smokers Do-It-Yourself Drum Smoker Kit > is for you. With no welding required, this top-rated smoker kits includes everything you need to convert a 55 gallon drum into a versatile, competition-quality grill for a fraction of the price.
> Don't need the kit?
We also offer the individual parts >
> Don't want to look for your own drum?
Shop our undrilled, pre-drilled, and partially assembled drum smoker options! >
COOKING WITH BIG POPPA BLOG
OVER 30 YEARS OF COOKING EXPERIENCE.
COUNTLESS GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS.
Big Poppa believes that being outside with your grill is one of the best ways to unplug, while creating delicious food that your friends and family will love. As a world champion pitmaster + owner of Big Poppa Smokers, Sterling "Big Poppa" Ball is here to help you become the hero of your backyard.
With over 30 years of cooking experience, and countless grand championships, Sterling is excited to share his creative, easy to follow, recipes through the Cooking with Big Poppa blog.
CHAMPIONSHIP BBQ TEAM
FUN FACT: Big Poppa Smokers also has its own barbecue team that competes on the professional BBQ circuit. Comprised of lead cook, Sterling "Big Poppa" Ball and his cooking partner, James "The Flame" Perez, the BPS BBQ team cooks across the nation throughout the year - and they have the results to prove it.
HERE ARE A FEW HIGHLIGHTS:
Have been to 200+ BBQ Competitions
Have finished as a Grand Champion or Reserve GC 70+ times
California Team of the Year
Inducted into the California
BBQ Hall of Fame
KCBS Pork Team of the Year
Only team West of Oklahoma to ever win the American Royal Invitational (aka World Series of BBQ)
At Big Poppa Smokers, we talk the talk AND walk the walk.
For us, BBQ is fun - but it's also serious business!
CULINARY DEVELOPMENT + BJ'S RESTAURANTS
Fun fact: The Big Poppa Smokers rub, injection, and seasoning line was originally created for competition barbecue and backyard BBQ. But their popularity and unique flavors quickly became well-known in many pantries and kitchens across the country.
Big Poppa's award-winning flavors caught the attention of BJ's Brewhouse & Restaurants - a restauarant chain with almost 400 locations nationwide. With six of the BPS rubs and seasonings featured on their permanent menu items, BPS rubs have further proven to be some of the most versatile rubs on the market. In addition to using the BPS rub line in their kitchens, BJ's has also tapped into Sterling "Big Poppa" Ball's culinary genius. Sterling has helped create and has collaborated on several menu items at BJ's Brewhouse & Restaurants.
COOKING FOR KIDS: CHILDREN'S CHARITY PROGRAM
Big Poppa Smokers also hosts a unique brand ambassador program each year: The Cooking for Kids Charity Program. Since it's inception, this program has donated over $175,000 to children in need across America. This program freatures the best competition BBQ teams in the country, with the idea of working together to promote camaraderie and competition BBQ while benefitting children's charities in their local communities.
The Cooking for Kids teams use BPS rubs to win BBQ competitions across the United States. More wins = the chance for more money for their charities. At the end of the competition year, BPS awards up to $35,000 to the participating teams via donations to their chosen children's charities. You can check out all the point standings + more info at pointsrace.bigpoppasmokers.com
OUTDOOR GRILLING & SMOKING SUPPLY STORE.
AWARD WINNING BBQ TEAM.
CHAMPIONSHIP RUB & SEASONING BRAND.
CULINARY & RECIPE DEVELOPMENT.
BARBECUE EVENT PRODUCTION.
CHILDREN'S CHARITY SPONSOR.
Big Poppa Smokers is more than just an online BBQ store; grilling & smoking is part of every aspect of our business.
Thousands of customers trust us to help them become better cooks, both inside and outside. Let us help you along your BBQ journey.