Poppa's Corner

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.

BBQ Seafood Guide for Summer Grilling

Most backyard cooks will smoke a brisket all day without flinching — but mention "grill the fish" and panic sets in. Sticking, flaking, overcooking — grilled seafood has a reputation for being diff...

The Secret to Flavorful Chicken All Summer Long

Chicken is the most grilled protein in America — and the most abused. Dry breasts, rubbery skin, bland seasoning that washes out after the first bite. The problem isn't the bird — it's the method.

How a Dirty Grill Mutes Your Rub & Bark

You picked the perfect rub. You applied it generously. You let it set. You nailed the cook. And yet the bark looks patchy, the flavor is flat, and the whole thing tastes like it's missing something...

First Cookout of the Season

That first cookout of the season is supposed to feel exciting — not like a fire drill. Every year, same story: dirty grill, no charcoal, stress-cooking burgers while guests hover.

7 Cookout Recipes That Never Miss

Summer's here — and that means it's time to stop guessing and start grilling with purpose. If your cookout game last year was "decent," that's not good enough. At Big Poppa Smokers, we've spent ove...

Top 10 Best Gas Grills for Backyard Cooking

Discover the top 10 best gas grills for backyard cooking that deliver power, precision, and flavor. Whether you're a seasoned pitmaster or a beginner, find expert picks to elevate your outdoor BBQ ...

Benefits of Using Grill Covers Year-Round

Whether you own a gas grill or a barrel smoker, a quality cover is the easiest way to protect your investment year-round."

How Pitmasters Build Bold Flavor

One rub is a good cook. Two rubs applied with intention is a great cook. The difference between backyard BBQ that tastes fine and competition-worthy BBQ that makes people stop mid-bite is almost al...

Why Clean Pits Win BBQ Contests

Walk through any competition BBQ event and you can spot the contenders before scores are posted. It's not the biggest rig or the fanciest setup. It's the team with the cleanest pit. Clean pits in c...

Pellet Grill Spring Maintenance Guide

Pellet grills are the most set-it-and-forget-it cookers on the market — until they're not. The convenience that makes them great also makes people lazy about maintenance, and a neglected pellet gri...

Choosing the Right Cut for Better Cooks

Choosing the right spring BBQ proteins means matching your cuts to the season — faster cooks, lighter preparations, and proteins that reward a clean grill and sharp technique. Big Poppa Smokers has...