What Book For BBQ Smoking Is Considered An Industry Benchmark

[smokymtnjonny]

The recipes is John Willingham’s book are very different and worth the price. He was a good friend of mine and I learned a lot from him.

 

[Chett. L]

The only BBQ books that really felt "outside the box" and changed the way I cook on both the smoker and the grill is both Adam Perry Lang's SeriousBBQ and Charred and Scruffed.

I looked this book up.

Thank you.

 

[Chett. L]

I agree with this. Looking at my bookshelf, I'd say that what I've read really followed my level of development as a smoker (which will hopefully never stop). I appreciate the books that say Why versus just giving a recipe, but both are important. I'm now looking into buying a couple listed here, so thanks Brethren.

Hi Bill,

I agree with 100%!

Thank you.

 

[Chett. L]

Paul Kirk's Championship BBQ

https://www.amazon.com/Paul-Kirks-Championship-Barbecue-Lip-Smackin/dp/1558322426

I think your name is Pat?

Thank you.

 

[blackdogbbq21]

The Aaron Franklin bbq book changed my whole outlook on cooking bbq. I knew of texas style barbecue but never really understood it. It's how I got into stick burning and is by far my favorite bbq book. The steak book is great also.

Sam Jones whole hog book is great too. I enjoy the stories and it covers cooking a hog really well. I've used the hog sauce from that book on pulled pork and it's simple but really tasty.

Elliot Moss Buxton Hall is another good one.

I have one Myron Mixon book but it's geared too much towards competition bbq for me.

 

[Chett. L]

that is what I gathered. I went through his 100 different sauce recipes and it was just too much and nothing really stood out as interesting. Plus, to be honest, I really don't find Paul Kirk to be the most likeable person and his writing style kind of turned me off.

Thank for you feedback.

 

[Chett. L]

I really liked the secretes to smoking on the Smokey Mountain

Thank you.

 

[Bob C Cue]

Like others have said Aaron Franklin's book is a great read. And while not a bbq book per se, "You Too Can Achieve Wife Foo" by Happy Hapgood is a hoot!

 

[Bucknekked]

I own all Aaron Franklins books and have seen his videos. He gets high marks from me.
Steven Raichlen is also very good. I watch his shows on PBS and other TV channels and the man can cook and explain how you can too. I don't have his books, but his shows let you know the guy can get it done and teach it as well.


My go to guy for BBQ is Malcolm Reid however. I don't know that he has books. But he has videos and he travels the country (pre-covid19) giving instructional clinics. I would eat whatever that guy fixes and I've tried a number of his recipes and he's just stinkin' great.

 

[Chett. L]

+1 for Serious BBQ by APL. It's well understood that he tends to make things more complicated / longer list of ingredients, but I like bringing a lot of his principles / techniques to my cooking. I found that the biggest lesson I learned and still try to impart today is bringing flavor at every step of the way - why not?

+1 for Aaron Franklin's book.

Being from NC, I also really enjoyed reading Sam Jones' Whole Hog BBQ. There's some good history in there and reads like a novel at times, and it imparts some good wisdom (both from a whole hog and general smoking).

Thank you.

 

[Chett. L]

@WhitesideJC

Sam's Jones book is a VERY good book and I totally forgot about it. I went to his restaurant and book signing on the day the book released. Sam's a great guy and genuinely one of the nicest (and maybe funniest) guys in BBQ. Great book with a ton of history and it will certainly get you going in cooking whole hogs.

Thank you.

 

[BigThicket]

Another vote for Franklin BBQ. It's a wealth of knowledge and an entertaining read.

 

[Royalslover]

Definitely Manifesto and Serious BBQ. I love the fact that Aaron is more about technique than giving out recipes. While APL's book is more recipe there is a lot of technique also. I made a comment once on this site about his fussy recipes and he actually responded so I feel like we are bffs now!

 

[gtr]

Lotsa great mentions here, kinda surprised not to see more of this one, which is pretty much my go-to. More about recipes than technique (I think Franklin's book has technique sewn up pretty damn good), but very versatile and lots of great dishes in it.

 

[Chett. L]

@WhitesideJC

Sam's Jones book is a VERY good book and I totally forgot about it. I went to his restaurant and book signing on the day the book released. Sam's a great guy and genuinely one of the nicest (and maybe funniest) guys in BBQ. Great book with a ton of history and it will certainly get you going in cooking whole hogs.

Thank you.

 

[Chett. L]

Lotsa great mentions here, kinda surprised not to see more of this one, which is pretty much my go-to. More about recipes than technique (I think Franklin's book has technique sewn up pretty damn good), but very versatile and lots of great dishes in it.

I am going to have to look this book up. I did get the Franklin book. Very good.

Thank you.

 

[GA1dad]

Lots of truth to what Ronbrad62 said.

I preface this by saying that I attribute Steven Raichlen for increasing my interest in barbecue many years ago...what seems like a lifetime ago, and I’ll still watch his shows and enjoy it if I happen across it on PBS.

The books below tell a much better story than Raichlen’s or “Meathead’s”, in my opinion. I’ve bought quite a few books over the years due to Brethren recommendations and these are all good. There’s more than just recipes in these books.

I have these four as well. All good books. I really like the Pitmaster book,, especially from a competition perspective.

 

[Chett. L]

I have these four as well. All good books. I really like the Pitmaster book,, especially from a competition perspective.

Just ordered Bob Gibson. I'll have to take a look at Pitmaster.

Thank you.