Poppa's Corner

Big Poppa's Summer BBQ Tour

From 4th of July parties to neighborhood block parties, pool parties, backyard cookouts, and game nights, here is how to bring real pitmaster flavor wherever the summer takes you, built around simp...

How Competition BBQ Techniques Can Improve Your Backyard Cooking

Competition BBQ might look like a different world — custom-built rigs, overnight cooks, teams hauling trailers across the country chasing trophies. But here's the thing most people miss: the compet...

7 Firework Worthy Recipes

The grill is the real centerpiece of Independence Day, and the right menu is what separates a forgettable backyard hang from the cookout people talk about all summer.

Tips for a Successful 4th of July Cookout

The 4th of July is the Super Bowl of backyard cooking, and nobody should be stuck sweating over the grill while their guests crush the last cold drink.

Choosing the Right Protein for Your Summer BBQ

Every protein brings a different flavor, a different technique, and a different time commitment, which is exactly why the choice can feel overwhelming when there's a crowd coming over.

5 Common BBQ Mistakes

You've got the grill, you've got the meat, you've got a crowd coming over — and yet something always seems to go sideways.

Layering Flavor in BBQ

Layering flavor in BBQ gives you an experience that evolves with every bite: the bark hits first, then the seasoning, then the sauce, then the finishing touch. Competition pitmasters build that dep...

What to Cook for Every Skill Level

Father's Day is one of the biggest grilling days of the year, and the pressure to cook something great is real. The good news: you don't need to wrestle a whole brisket to impress anyone. The best ...

How to Help Dad Win at the Grill

Father's Day is coming, and maybe Dad just unwrapped a shiny new grill — or maybe he's been circling the same one for three years, quietly intimidated by it. Either way, the BBQ basics for beginner...

How to Choose the Right BBQ Rub for Every Protein

Here's the move that separates a good cook from a great one: matching the right rub to the right meat. Most backyard cooks grab one bottle and shake it over everything, then wonder why the brisket ...

Must-Have BBQ Tools for Father's Day

Father's Day lands on June 21st, and if the dad in your life is serious about the grill, another tie isn't going to cut it. The right BBQ tools for Father's Day are the difference between a guy pok...

Portable BBQ for Camping — Master the Grill Away From Home

Camping is the perfect time to prove you can grill anywhere with any equipment. The fundamentals don't change — just the scale. At Big Poppa Smokers, we've cooked camping trips across the Southwest...

2026 Father’s Day Meal & Gift Ideas for BBQ Lovers

Father's Day lands on June 21st, and if the dad in your life is serious about the grill, another tie isn't going to cut it. The right BBQ tools are the difference between a guy poking at meat with ...

Big Poppa's Tips on All Things Ribs

Ribs are the reason most people fall in love with barbecue. At Big Poppa Smokers, ribs have been at the center of everything we do for over 15 years — competitions, cookouts, recipe development. Th...

Big Poppa's Memorial Day Playbook

Memorial Day is the official kickoff to summer grilling — and for a lot of backyard cooks, it's the first time all year they're cooking for a crowd. Feeding 10 is one thing. Feeding 30 is a complet...

Your Memorial Day Menu

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer and the test case for every pitmaster's skills. Your guests are hungry, the weather is perfect, and expectations are high.

Drum Smoker or Pellet? How to Pick What's Right for Summer

Every summer the same question hits our inbox: "Should I get a drum smoker or pellet grill?" At Big Poppa Smokers, we built our reputation on the BPS Drum Smoker, but we know pellet grills have the...

Drum Smoking vs. Pellet Smoking: Why Drum Smoking Takes the Lead

Discover why drum smoking is considered superior to pellet smoking. Explore the benefits of drum smokers, including flavor, versatility, and simplicity, in our detailed comparison.