Backyard BBQ-R Logo
Backyard BBQ-R
Real Backyard Pitmaster
 YouTube
Home Start Here Pitmaster Videos Recipes Free Guides Premium Guides Newsletter About Contact
Where to Begin

Start Here: Learn Backyard BBQ

Build your skills in the right order—control the fire, understand your smoker, then put it all together on your next cook.

Control the FireLearn fuel, airflow, clean smoke, and steady temperatures.
Know Your PitSet up charcoal, kamado, offset, and gas equipment with confidence.
Cook With a PlanUse repeatable methods instead of guessing your way through dinner.
New to BBQ? Here is exactly where to start.

Begin with BBQ Fundamentals — the six concepts every backyard cook needs before the first smoke. Once you are comfortable with heat zones, smoke, and seasoning, move to Fire Management to learn how to control your fire with confidence. Then head to Smoker Setup to dial in your specific pit. Follow the path below and you will cook like a pitmaster faster than you think.

Recommended Learning Path

1
BBQ Fundamentals
Heat zones, smoke wood, seasoning, temps, the stall, and resting. The foundation of every good cook.
2
Fire Management
Control your fire, manage airflow, and handle long cooks without babysitting the pit all day.
Open the full learning path →
3
Smoker Setup
Dial in your specific pit — offset, kettle, kamado, or gas — and set it up right every time.
Not sure what smoker you have? Find your pit below.
Kettle Grill Round lid, three legs, bottom and top vents. The most common backyard grill. Jump to Kettle Setup →
Kamado / Egg Thick ceramic body, egg shape, top and bottom draft doors. Holds heat for hours. Jump to Kamado Setup →
Offset Smoker Separate firebox on the side, long cooking chamber, tall chimney stack. Jump to Offset Setup →