Grilling, barbecuing, and smoking food is an absolute passion of mine. It’s something I enjoy doing so much that if I won a billion dollars tomorrow, I would open a restaurant and cook for free! Today, let's talk a little about outside cooking.
First, let me start by saying, don't be afraid to screw up. Don't be afraid to buy a brisket; go buy a cheap one at first. (There's no such thing as a cheap brisket, but buy a less expensive one and just try it.) Have fun with it. Pulled pork is very, very simple, and you can get amazing results even with an electric smoker. Cooking outside should be enjoyable and fun.
Now, here's a little plug for a fantastic company over in Minnetonka called Northern Fire and Grill BBQ Supply (website). There’s Aaron, Missy, John, and Brad over there. They are just an amazing group of people who want to make cooking more accessible and fun for people, which you can truly see when you walk in there. With the massive amounts of knowledge they have (because they actually do competition cooking) and the insane selection they offer, it's worth it to just go in there and hang out for a while. But I digress.
My tip to you this summer is to just dedicate some time to it and have fun. There are plenty of YouTube channels out there that can help get you started. Stop into the barbecue shop and ask those folks what they think. If you’re more advanced and looking to really up your game, here is probably the most crucial thing I can ever tell anyone who’s looking to improve their cooking, whether outside or in general: ingredients matter. The quality of the protein you’re putting on the grill or in the oven makes a huge difference.
So this summer, get out there and try something new. Don’t be afraid to screw up. Use your cast iron on your Weber propane grill. Cast iron is one of your best friends when it comes to cooking outside, and you can put it right inside any of the things you already have, including a ceramic grill like an Egg. Or try smoking some cheese; cold smoking is interesting. You can even cold-smoke ice cubes to make smoky ice cubes. It’s ridiculous. Get creative, have fun with it, don’t be afraid to mess up, and enjoy yourself.
As always, if you have any questions about outside cooking, you can hit me up anytime. Or go to the barbecue shop and tell them William sent you—they’ll take care of you. They are a great group of people.
This summer, have a great time. I look forward to seeing some photos that you post. Post your screw-ups and your victories. The only bad time cooking is when you’re not cooking. I love it so much. Have a great day!
