Charcoal Science: How Charcoal Is Made And How Charcoal Works
Ever wonder how barbecue charcoal is made? Here’s an inside look at the manufacturing process for pillow shaped charcoal briquets, hardwood lump charcoal, bone charcoal, and other forms of charcoal such as binchotan. We also explain which kind of charcoal is best and how to use it.
What is Bark, and Why It Makes Us Howl for More
Bark is that sweet, rich, crusty surface on low and slow cooked meat, and for many of us, the best part. It is part pellicle and part spice crust, but how does it form? The Maillard reaction, polymerization, and evaporation are key. Find out how to get better bark on your brisket, ribs, and pork shoulder.
Barbecue History: Outdoor Cooking Through The Ages
Barbecue was not invented in America. Here is the true story of where barbecue came from and how it evolved, including the evolution of BBQ cooks, cookers, restaurants, and foods. You may be surprised to learn that the history of barbecue goes further back than China and even further back than homo sapiens.
Turducken? Don’t Bother.
Turduckens are turkeys stuffed with chickens stuffed with duck breasts and cornbread and andouille sausage and spices and, well, it is a Birdzilla and just not as good as it sounds.
New Pork Names
In April 2013 the National Pork Board announced new names for old familar pork cuts. Here are photos.
The Story Of Hawaiian Huli-Huli Chicken Marinade Is As Delicious As The Recipe
Hawaiian huli-huli chicken is a hugely popular type of grilled chicken with a sweet teriyaki style barbecue sauce. Here’s my take on the recipe.
Quiz: So You Think You’re A Pitmaster
Quiz: Test your knowledge of barbecue.
Barbecue Fubar: Some Of The Worst Outdoor Cooking Disasters
How do you avoid the worst BBQ mistakes? Undercooked chicken? Burnt chicken? Burned outside and raw inside? We ran a contest to hear some of the juiciest stories, so you can learn from the trials and tribulations of others. Here are the best of the worst cooking disasters and how to avoid them the next time you grill.
Our Links Policy
This website is all about serving people who love food and drink. I carefully select links that I think meet the needs of my visitors. I spend a lot of time selecting links and writing about them.
So You Want to Start a Business? Why Not a Hot Dog Stand?
Opening a hot dog stand is a good living if you don’t mind long hours and hard work. Here’s how.
2008-07-08 Fish Stories From a Fishead
Before you can cook fish, you gotta catch it. True stories. I swear it.
2007-03-12 Fie On Foie Gras Bans
The silliness of the foie gras ban movement.
The Invention of Barbecue
How did barbecue originate? There are many mythical stories of neanderthals coming upon burnt animals after a forest fire. Here is a similar explanation of the ancient Chinese discovery of barbecue told in an engaging, fanciful, and humorous tale in 1822 by English essayist Charles Lamb.
What Is Barbecue?
Barbecue is a hotly debated topic. Read here about a new definition of BBQ that is distinct from its legal definition. This new definition includes explanations of grilling, smoking and other terms, as well as a brief history of barbecue around the world.
The History Of The Hamburger
Here’s the fascinating story of how the hamburger became our national dish.