Pitmaster Resource Hub

How to Brine a Chicken

In this Big Poppa Smokers guide, you will learn all about chicken brine. We will cover the science behind it and give you step-by-step instructions to make your own brine. We will also discuss diff...

5 Tips for a Stress-Free Holiday: From Holiday Meals to Shopping Made Easy

The holidays should feel joyful and delicious—not like a never-ending checklist. Between planning the big meal, finding gifts that actually land, and juggling travel and guests, it’s easy to let st...

Big Poppa Smokers 2025 Holiday Gift Guide

If you’re shopping for the BBQ cook in your life, or looking to drop some hints for your own wish list, Big Poppa Smokers has you covered. From award-winning rubs and sauces to top-tier smokers, ac...

The Ultimate Thanksgiving Meal Survival Guide

Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and feasting. However, the planning, preparing, and executing of the perfect Thanksgiving meal can be daunting. Fear not! In this guide, we’ll take a dee...

How to Smoke the Perfect Turkey: 7 Tips for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving may feel like it’s weeks away, but here’s the pro move: start planning now. The earlier you dial in your game plan, the smoother your big feast will be.

Top 7 BBQ Sauces You Must Try

If you’re hunting for the best BBQ sauces to keep on hand, start here. These are the Top 10 BBQ sauces we recommend at Big Poppa Smokers—competition trusted and backyard approved. We’ll share what ...

What Should I Cook First? Best Starter Recipes for New BBQers

Embarking on your BBQ journey is as thrilling as it is delicious. Whether you’re an aspiring pitmaster or a backyard cook looking to wow your family, learning BBQ is an adventure worth pursuing. Wi...

The Best BBQ Gloves Guide

Barbecue is as much about technique and safety as it is about flavor. When you cook low and slow, you need to handle hot grates and shred pork butt. People often forget one important tool - BBQ Glo...

Tips on Cooking Pulled Pork

This guide delivers a clean, repeatable approach to how to cook a pork butt, explains pork butt vs pork shoulder, and shows you how to build championship flavor with Pork Prod Injection, Sweet Mone...

Beyond Bacon: Creative Pork Recipes You Haven’t Tried Yet

This National Pork Month (and every month after), take the opportunity to try something new, push your flavors, and celebrate pork in all its glory. Because when you go beyond bacon, you discover j...

Beef Tallow: Why It's the Hottest Trend in BBQ

Barbecue trends come and go, but some take the community by storm and stick around. Right now, few ingredients are creating as much buzz as Wagyu beef tallow. From backyard cooks chasing richer fl...

Sear, Smoke, Simmer: Transitioning Your Grill to Fall

When the air gets crisp and the leaves start to blush, your grill doesn’t retire—it evolves. Fall is the season for deeper caramelization, longer smokes, cozy one-pot sides, and the kind of aromas ...

5 Rubs That Work for More Than Just BBQ

When the air gets crisp and the leaves start to turn, it’s time to fire up bold, cozy flavors that feel like fall. At Big Poppa Smokers, we know great food isn’t just about the backyard smoker — it...

How to Cook, Season & Master Each Surface

Cast iron lovers swear by crust and heat retention. Stainless fans rave about responsiveness and pan sauces. Griddle die-hards? They’re cooking breakfast, smash burgers, and fried rice for a crowd ...

How to Grill Pizza: Easy Tips for Crispy, Flavor-Packed Results

Pizza is one of the world’s favorite foods, but nothing compares to the smoky, fire-kissed flavor you get when you cook it outdoors. Forget about delivery — once you learn how to grill a pizza, you...

Why Big Poppa’s Rubs Win on the Competition Circuit

Win with Big Poppa Smokers Searching for the best BBQ seasoning, truly award-winning BBQ seasonings, and proven competition BBQ rubs? Here’s why teams and backyard cooks trust Big Poppa Smokers to ...

BBQ Lingo Explained: What Pitmasters Day (and What It Actually Means)

We’re breaking down the Top 11 BBQ phrases every backyard pitmaster, griller, or smoke-lover should know. With this lingo in your toolkit, you’ll sound like a pro—whether you’re at a cookout, compe...

Grilling Vegetables: Pro Tips, Best Picks & BBQ Pairing Advice

Grilling doesn’t stop when summer ends—and it shouldn't. Fall is prime time for flavorful, hearty vegetables that hold up beautifully on the grill. With cooler temps and bold seasonal flavors, it’s...