If you could only have ONE BBQ book... (Gift idea help!)

[jfletcherMD]

So, my wife, my sister-in-law, and I are going in together to buy my father-in-law a cooker for Christmas. Nothing too crazy - probably a WSM or PBC. Along with the cooker, I figured it'd be fun to get him a bag of apple or cherry chunks (he already has access to tons of oak and pecan...) and a good, "basic" backyard barbecue cookbook/primer.

The problem is, I'm stumped as to which title to get him! I've got probably 15 different barbecue books on my cookbook shelf right now, and each has its own pros and cons...

Here are a few of the titles that I'd thought about:
Slow Fire: The Beginner's Guide to Barbecue by Ray "Dr. BBQ" Lampe
Southern Living's All Fired Up by Troy Black
Weber's Smoke by Jamie Purviance
Smoking Meat by Jeff Philips
Secrets to Smoking on the Weber Smoky Mountain Cooker and Other Smokers by Bill Gillespie

Now, pops-in-law isn't exactly a "barbecue beginner" - he's helped cook many a whole-hog barbecue for various school/church/civic events, but I'd love to give him a book that might offer both some "basics" of backyard barbecuing, and serve as a "jumping off point" for some of his own ideas, recipes, and future cooks.

As always, I appreciate all opinions and input! :thumb:

 

[cpw]

I'm getting the Franklin BBQ book for Christmas myself, so I can't say if it's what your looking for, but I've heard very good things about it. Both in terms of recipes and also how's and why's.

 

[jfletcherMD]

I'm getting the Franklin BBQ book for Christmas myself, so I can't say if it's what your looking for, but I've heard very good things about it. Both in terms of recipes and also how's and why's.

Dang, meant to include that on my list of "titles for consideration," too! :doh: I own the Franklin book myself, and enjoy it a lot. It can be a bit heavy on the "barbecue theory" at times, but it's certainly an enjoyable read for any student of smoked meat. I think you'll definitely enjoy it! :thumb:

Thanks for the input! Hope you have many warm fires, cool blue smoke, and a great Holiday season!

 

[cats49er]

Dang, meant to include that on my list of "titles for consideration," too! :doh: I own the Franklin book myself, and enjoy it a lot. It can be a bit heavy on the "barbecue theory" at times, but it's certainly an enjoyable read for any student of smoked meat. I think you'll definitely enjoy it! :thumb:

Thanks for the input! Hope you have many warm fires, cool blue smoke, and a great Holiday season!

Franklin's book would be good if you have an off set stick burner.But if you're smoking on a different type of smoker I tend to lean towards Jeff P's book.Just my thought's ,it has lots of recipes and how to type info.

 

[Lowki]

I like Peace, Love, & Barbecue: Recipes, Secrets, Tall Tales, and Outright Lies from the Legends of Barbecue by mike mills. Great read and some fine recipes too.

 

[smokainmuskoka]

Robb Walsh's Barbecue Crossroads is a great book, documenting a cross country BBQ pilgrimage. His book Legends of Texas barbecue is really good, too.

 

[BossDawgDH]

12 Bones Smoke House is pretty good with a lot of non traditional bbq recipes.

 

[cueball21]

I've got the last three in your list and the Franklin book. Any of those would be good for a jump start.

I your FIL is already an old hand at cooking pigs, does that mean that he is also familiar with WSM and PBC techniques? If not, the Weber smoking book would be a good choice.

Of course, the best thing you can do for him is to bring here to the Brethren and introduce him around. He'll soon find something he likes and being interested is the best tool to have.

 

[robinfresno]

I would take the recipes from some of the best threads on this site and print them off. Laminate them and put them in a binder for him.

 

[Trailer Trash]

I would introduce him to a little forum called, ""BBQ BRETHREN" (and buy the Franklin's book for the pictures...

 

[Okie Sawbones]

I have a lot of BBQ books. People who really pay attention can learn from Aaron Franklin's book. He is all about the fire. Another excellent book IMO is Chris Lillie's Big Bob Gibson BBQ book. Also Smokin' with Myron Mixon. Also Smokin' in the Boys' Room: Southern Recipes from the Winningest Woman in Barbecue, by Melissa Cookston.

 

[Smoke on Badger Mountain]

I have and love the Franklin's book. But I run stick burners. That being said, I would say the Weber book would be a great way to go if you are getting him a WSM or a PBC. My old roommate has that book and I think it's pretty good.

Best of luck. And I'm sure he will love his gift. You are a good son-in-law.

 

[Dil950]

I like Franklins book. But for a more recipe heavy book the Weber Smoke book is what i would go with. Mainly cause the pictures are awesome and they cover how to use gas, charcoal grills, and wsm. Assuming he has one of the 3.

 

[North Is Up]

I don' t have a stick burner at present, but I loved Franklin's book. Just the philosophy of doing it to perfection. Isn't that what we're all trying to achieve in the end?

I live in snow country and believe it or not, it has also helped me manage my home's two fireplaces better this winter. That's pretty crazy, but my fireplaces' fires burn hotter thanks to Mr. Franklin's ideas and there's significantly less soot build-up than in previous years. Now, I'll need a stick burner to try some real BBQ things out.

 

[frognot]

A favorite of mine is Dr. BBQ's Big-time Barbecue Cookbook by Ray Lampe.

 

[ssv3]

Don't have it but I've heard plenty good of the Adam Perry Lang's Serious Barbecue book. I think it'll be perfect for him. You can preview it on Amazon:

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Serious-Barbecue-Smoke-Outdoor-Cooking/dp/1401323065"]Serious Barbecue: Smoke, Char, Baste, and Brush Your Way to Great Outdoor Cooking: Adam Perry Lang: 9781401323066: Amazon.com: Books@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51BlB%2BI7A8L.@@AMEPARAM@@51BlB%2BI7A8L[/ame]

 

[jfletcherMD]

Thanks for all the great suggestions, fellas!

Definitely a lot to consider, and some good points being brought up...I hadn't really given much consideration to the fact that it might be nice to have a book that deals more specifically with running a WSM/PBC-type cooker (most of his previous experience has been on cinder block & charcoal pits, or charcoal "pig cookers" as we call them in NC...) so thanks Bob, Josh, and Dil950 for pointing this out.

And don't worry Bob, robinfresno, and Gerry - I definitely plan to introduce him to the Brethren forums, too! :mrgreen:

 

[GreenDrake]

Raichlen's bbq bible is good, so is All Fired Up.

 

[daninnewjersey]

Google Legends of Texas BBQ....has some great recipes in it as well as some very cool info on the history of BBQ....it a great book.

 

[Schmoke]

Raichlen's bbq bible is good,

And! the Kindle version of Raichlen's BBQ bible is currently two and a half bucks on Amazon!