Q: Dear Dr. BBQ, I am planning to build a brick (fire brick) BBQ and I’m looking for info or advice on design. It will not be a huge one but will include an oven that will burn both wood and gas. The BBQ feature may be homemade, or I could go the easy route of buying an insert. …
Sizing a Firebox
Dr. BBQ: I’m building a portable smoker and need to know how big my firebox should be. The grill its self is a 350 gal.(6ft. x 3ft.) round tank. What do you suggest? Stephen Hi Stephen, I’m not an expert on this but luckily for us all I have a friend who is. I asked the one and only …
Smoking with Pecan Shells
Q: Dr. BBQ, How would pecan shells work as a smoking wood? –Keith A: Hi Keith, I wasn’t sure about this one so I went to my good friends at www.bbqforum.com and they seem to be in agreement that pecan shells are good for smoking if you have access to them. They also say that they …
A Fix for Rubbery Chicken Thighs
Q: Hello Dr. BBQ, When cooking chicken thighs or halves, over indirect heat, the skin normally comes out slightly rubbery. What do you suggest, to alleviate this common problem? Jim Pluck U BBQ A: Hi Jim, I try to cook my chicken at a higher smoker temp, like around 300°F. That seems to help. The …
Japanese-syle BBQ
Q: Hello Dr. BBQ, Could you please tell me what is the material used in Japanese-style BBQ as an insulator and refractor (looks like a cement based material of some sort). Thank you, Slaven A: Hi Slaven, It seems the popular ones call it “Space Age Ceramic.” I think there is also one that is …