Newbie Q - Early Resources

After confessing my affection for barbecue in the first installment of this column, I figured I should plan some as to what my next article and others should include. Unlike many of the writers in the NBBQN, I'm certainly no expert on anything related to barbecue (except maybe for eating), so I envisioned this column as more sharing of observations than imparting nitty-gritty information. First things first, I thought. But, on the other hand, there are bits of info that I've gathered after plodding down the barbecue road for a short while that others just starting out might find useful. Having decided this, I'll begin my second column.

For me, and, many others, barbecue and the Internet are as inseparable as a pulled pork sandwich and coleslaw. When I began to think about attempting to cook real barbecue, I really had no idea where to begin. For most of my life, I had been lucky enough to live literally within walking distance of outstanding barbecue, so I'd never given the preparation of it much thought. I knew basically that barbecue was usually pork (in my neck of the woods) cooked with wood or sometimes charcoal, and I knew that it took several hours. When I felt the hankering to learn, I had no older relative, skilled friend, or other barbecue mentor to teach me. My new pursuit started as a mild yearning, and then it snowballed. Much of this snowball came from time on the Internet, and more specifically, barbecue discussion forums.

When searching for barbecue knowledge, discussion forums are some of the best resources to exploit, whether you're a barbecue beginner or a regular on the competition circuit. For the uninitiated, a discussion forum is a web site or an area of a site reserved for interacting with others interested in a topic, such as barbecue. You can read for hours and engage other participants directly by responding to posts or creating your own. The forums are certainly the most concentrated and the most diverse sources for barbecue knowledge. Someone who has yet to light his or her first fire can hold a conversation with a seasoned pro.

Discussion forums helped me decide on my first serious cooker; they were instrumental in my participating in my first competition; and they have created a whole new group of buddies with whom I can share my interests. Several of these folks I've had the honor of meeting in person, and chances are, I never would have bumped into them without having first "met" them online.

I thought it might be helpful to discuss a few forums just to get you started. I'm sure some readers and loyal forum members will perhaps notice that I've omitted their favorite forums. I'm offering just a sampling here, and I assure you any omission is based on my own inexperience. All web addresses for those forums I discuss are listed at the end of this article.

Probably the most well-known, useful, and closely moderated barbecue discussion forum is The Kansas City BBQ Forum. Backyarders, serious competitors, restaurant owners, pit builders, and raw newbies alike can be found here at any given time discussing a wide range of barbecue topics. Just based on my own observation, I'd venture to say that it's the most active of all the barbecue forums.

Another great barbecue forum is the Virtual Weber Bulletin Board. This forum is geared toward the use of the Weber Smokey Mountain cooker and offers several sub forums, including a beginner's forum. The forum and the associated web site offer tons of information you'll find useful no matter what brand of cooker you use.

The message board at HomeBBQ.com is another great place. There's an area reserved for Florida Barbecue Association discussions, as well as areas for discussions of smokers and general barbecue topics. This forum happens to be where I first ran into Don Sparks of the Weapons of Mass BBQing team, the generous fellow who invited me to cook with him at my first (and currently only) competition.

Several pit builders and smoker companies offer their own discussion forums. Discussion varies from product-specific talk to conversation about recipes, gadgets, and the best charcoal to use. I'm a ceramics man, so I would be remiss if I did not mention the ceramic, or Kamado-style, cooker sites. Club Egg (The Big Green Egg forum) is one of the most active, as is the Kamado Forum. Primo Grills and Smokers and Grill Dome also offer great areas for discussion (I own a couple Grill Domes and post at their forum often, so come on over and talk to me).

Last, but certainly not least, I thought I'd mention that this publication, the NBBQN, also has its own discussion forum with the unique feature of a barbecue weather forecast discussion for upcoming competitions.

My barbecue experience so far would be much different (less interesting and a lot less tasty) without the barbecue discussion forums. So, if you're just starting out, be sure to check them out. I guarantee if it's knowledge you seek, you won't regret it. Or if forums are old news to you and you haven't read or posted in while, get back out there and participate in the community.

Note: Instead of using the addresses listed below, you might find it easier to simply enter the names of the forums in your favorite search engine, such as Google or Yahoo, and then find the forums from the home pages.

To: Fierce Allegiance; expatguy; ShorelineMike; Rebelbase; AppyPappy; WorkingClassFilth; ...

Many thanks to each of you for sharing recipes and techniques over the past couple of years here on FR.

I've made some great Q and side dishes from FReeper recipes ya'll have posted.

Now quit reading and get some Q on that smoker for Bristol this weekend.

Bump and bookmarked. The links need tweaking. Check their properties, all of them have a 209.157.64.200 prefix before the www part of the address.

Now quit reading and get some Q on that smoker for Bristol this weekend.

I'll drink to that...after I get off work.

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