At Generals BBQ, we believe barbecue isn’t just cooking — it’s a lifestyle. Whether you’re lighting your first charcoal chimney or you’ve been tending a smoker since before it was cool, we’re here to help you sharpen your skills, understand your gear, and serve unforgettable meals.
This site is your go-to headquarters for everything BBQ: from in-depth how-to guides and method breakdowns to honest product reviews and expert cooking tips. Our goal? To help you become the kind of BBQ boss who makes people ask, “What’s your secret?”
We’re not here to hype up overpriced grills or vague techniques — just real-world BBQ, explained clearly, tested thoroughly, and shared with flavor-loving folks like you.
🍖 Learn How to BBQ (Even If You’re Brand New)
Everyone starts somewhere. You don’t need a thousand-dollar smoker to cook great ribs or a fancy apron to turn out juicy chicken. What you do need is solid technique — and that’s where we come in.
In our How to BBQ section, we’ll walk you through:
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How to start and manage your fire — charcoal, gas, wood, or pellets
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Tips for temperature control across various grill types
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Understanding when to use direct vs. indirect heat
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How to smoke low and slow without babysitting the pit
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When and how to rest your meat so it stays tender and juicy
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The truth about bark, smoke rings, and other signs of great BBQ
We break everything down in simple terms — so you can follow along whether you’re cooking on a Weber kettle, a Traeger pellet grill, or an old barrel smoker from your uncle’s shed.
👉 Explore How-To Guides →
🔥 Deep Dive into BBQ Methods & Styles
Barbecue is more than just “grilling.” It’s a world of traditions, techniques, and regional flavors. Understanding the methods behind the madness is what separates weekend cooks from backyard legends.
Inside our BBQ Methods section, you’ll learn:
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What makes low-and-slow so special — and when to break the rules
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How to reverse sear thick steaks like a pro
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Smoking methods: offset, pellet, kamado, drum, and vertical smokers
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When to use foil (a.k.a. the “Texas crutch”) and when to leave it off
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How to experiment with firewood (oak vs. hickory vs. fruit woods)
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Regional BBQ breakdowns: Texas brisket, Carolina pulled pork, Memphis ribs, Kansas City sauces, and more
Whether you’re into all-wood traditional smoking or mixing it up with gas-assisted hybrid grills, we’ve got content tailored to your cooking style.
🛠️ Product Reviews You Can Actually Use
We don’t believe in fake five-star reviews or fluff. We test BBQ gear like real people — because that’s who we are. Every product we review has been used, cleaned, tested, and pushed to its limits so you don’t waste time or money.
In our BBQ Product Reviews, we cover:
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Pellet grills, charcoal smokers, gas grills, and kamados
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BBQ thermometers, Wi-Fi controllers, and meat probes
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Charcoal, lump, pellets, and hardwoods — which burn cleanest, last longest, and give you the best smoke
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Must-have tools: tongs, gloves, spatulas, chimney starters, grill brushes
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Best rubs, sauces, and subscription boxes for adventurous pitmasters
Whether you’re looking for a beginner-friendly grill under $300 or a smoker that’ll last for decades, our reviews cut through the marketing to give you the real story.
👉 Read BBQ Product Reviews →
🧂 Flavor Starts with Preparation
The best BBQ doesn’t start on the grill — it starts in your prep. We help you understand how to build flavor from the ground up with:
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Homemade rubs and seasoning blends
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Marinade and brine basics
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When to inject, mop, or spritz your meat
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Sauce strategies: bold vs. sweet vs. tangy
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Resting and slicing techniques to preserve juices and texture
You’ll also get tools for tracking your cooks, logging your temps, and tweaking your methods so every batch gets better.
👉 Check Out Our BBQ Tips & Prep Guides →
👨‍🍳 Why Generals BBQ?
There are a lot of BBQ sites out there — but here’s why ours stands out:
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Clear, no-BS instruction. No fluff, no jargon. We break it down in plain English.
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Tested content. Everything we teach or review has been fired up in real pits by real people.
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Respect for tradition. We love BBQ culture and give props to the regions that shaped it.
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Innovation welcome. We’re not afraid of new tools or modern twists — as long as they work.
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Community-first. This isn’t about ego or showing off. It’s about sharing good food with good people.
We’re here to teach, guide, and inspire — not to brag about the size of our briskets.
📬 Join the General’s Pit Crew
Want expert tips, product alerts, and smoking hot recipes delivered straight to your inbox?
Join our email list and get exclusive content including:
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Weekly BBQ tips and cooking plans
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First access to product giveaways
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Printable temperature charts and rub recipes
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Alerts on the best grill sales and gear deals