As with aspects of life, you must use the right tools and continuously learn. This page offers my favorite BBQ resources and tools that I love. I have also provided a link for where you can purchase the product. I have not included everything I use, I tried to include the must haves and a few items you might not think about.
Please note, when you buy with links on our site, we may earn a finder’s fee.
Resources
Books
- Aaron Franklin’s – “Franklin Barbecue: A Meat-Smoking Manifesto” – Check Price
- Melissa Cookston’s – “Smokin’ in the Boys’ Room: Southern Recipes from the Winningest Woman in Barbecue” – Check Price
- Myron Nixon’s “Myron Mixon: Keto BBQ: Real Barbecue for a Healthy Lifestyle” – Check Price
- Meathead: The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling – Meathead’s book is a must read for all serious pitmasters – Check Price
Smokers and Grills
- Yoder YS 640 – This is the smoker I currently use. Learn More
- Oklahoma Joe’s Longhorn Smoker – This is a nice entry level offset smoker- Check Price
- Weber Original Kettle 22-Inch Charcoal Grill – the most underrated BBQ tool out there, some of the best meat I’ve ever cooked comes from a Weber Kettle. I still use it for high heat grilling meat- Check Price
Charcoal
- FOGO Super Premium Oak Lump Charcoal – The FOGO charcoal brand is my favorite lump charcoal. Don’t be fooled by the name “Super Premium”. This is the one you get if you are planning to use in an offset smoker. The lumps are much larger than their other type. – Check Price
- FOGO Premium Oak Lump Charcoal – This in the bag you buy if you are using in a smaller grill like a Weber Kettle – Check Price
Thermometers
- Fireboard 2 – I use the older version of this. Check Price
- ThermoPro TP829 Wireless Meat Thermometer – less expensive wireless thermometer – Check Price
- ThermoPro TP19 Instant Read Meat Thermometer – An instant read thermometer like this is a must have accessory in your BBQ arsenal – Check Price
Knives
- MOSFiATA 6″ Boning Knife – since I bought this knife my trimming of briskets and carving of meats has become immensely easier – Check Price
- MOSFiATA 8″ Carving Knife and 7″ Fork Set – This knife is my new go to when slicing meat – Check Price
- Victorinox Fibrox Pro 10-Inch Curved Breaking Knife – I use this knife to slice paper thin slices of brisket – Check Price
- Calphalon Classic Self-Sharpening Cutlery Knife Block Set – This is a nice mid-level knife set that can handle most of your needs – Check Price
- DALSTRONG 18-piece knife block set (Gladiator Series) – this is a higher end knife set you cannot go wrong with – Check Price
- DALSTRONG Chef & Cleaver Hybrid Knife – 8 inch – ‘The Crixus’ – Firestorm Alpha Series – I just received this knife as a present and it is fantastic. It is both beautiful and functional. The knife will go right through chicken bones and slices meat and vegetables easily – Check Price
Miscellaneous
- Meat Slicer – I use the Anescra 200W Electric Deli Food Slicer to make jerky and slice some smoked turkey for sandwiches. – Check Price
- Vacuum Sealer – A vacuum sealer is an essential item in your BBQ toolkit. Whether you are freezing your jerky or saving your brisket to eat later, you need one. I use the FoodSavor brand. I highly recommend getting one you can seal Ziplock style bags with – Check Price
- Butcher Paper – Check Price
- South Chicago Packing Wagyu Beef Tallow – This stuff is magical and will take your cooking to the next level. This is the hidden secret used by several of the top BBQ restaurants in Central Texas – Check Price
- South Chicago Packing Traditional LARD – I know lard gets a bad rap but integrate it into your cooking and you will forever thank me. Melt a little Lard and drizzle it on your ribs right before you wrap them. You will not be disappointed. – Check Price
- Johnny’s Garlic Spread & Seasoning – Use this as a replacement for garlic powder in your recipes. It will not disappoint. – Check Price
- Kikkoman Japan Made Soy Sauce – this Japanese made soy sauce has a more complex flavor. I use it in all my recipes calling for soy sauce. – Check Price
- Pink Curing Salt – use this to make turkey legs, homemade bacon, or homemade ham – Check Price
- All Purpose BBQ Seasoning – I use this in many of my recipes and as a good general-purpose rub when time is short, and I’ve run out of my more elaborate, homemade rubs – Check Price
- Lawry’s Seasoned Salt – the more research I do into the legends of BBQ the more I am finding they are using this instead of regular table salt in their smoked brisket recipes. – Check Price
- Smoker Safe Pot- I’ve used this pot for years to make sauces and melt tallow/lard – Check Price
- Torch – torches are essential to light a fire without using lighter fluid. Check Price
- Chimney Starter – another alternative to starting a fire without using lighter fluid. These work well but can wear out. I prefer the torch method. Check Price
Other Websites
- AmazingRibs.com, The Authoritative Source for BBQ And Grilling Info – Meathead is a BBQ genius I have incorporated many of his techniques into my smoking meat methods.
YouTube Channels
- Chud’s BBQ – Bradley Robinson runs this stie and he has cooked for some of the best BBQ restaurants in the Austin area. His tips have been invaluable to my growth as a pit master – Link
- Mad Scientist BBQ – Jeremy Yoder runs this site and is a master of simplifying why BBQ works the way it does. He also creates great comparison videos of BBQ techniques and equipment. – Link
- Smokin’ Joe’s Pit BBQ – This was the first truly great YouTube channel I discovered. He knows his BBQ – Link