In this episode of the Backyard Pitmasters podcast, Charlie and Tee discuss the impact of weather on cooking, share tips for choosing the right grill for weeknight meals, and review the Wood Family Premium Barbecue Blend rub. They also share their latest cooking experiences, emphasizing the importance of seasoning and cooking techniques. The conversation highlights the joy of barbecuing and the community built around it.

Chapters

00:00 Weather Talk and Its Impact on Cooking

06:52 Choosing the Right Grill for Weeknight Cooks

20:37 Reviewing a New Barbecue Rub

30:43 The Art of Seasoning and Rubs

38:55 Breaking Down Recent Cooks

54:55 Evaluating Products and Seasonings

In this episode of the Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast, Brandon Charlie and Tee and are joined by special guest Keenan Alforque for a lively conversation that bridges the gap between traditional barbecue and creative culinary fusion. Keenan opens up about his journey, discussing how he blends various cultural influences to create unique flavor profiles and why developing your own rubs is a game-changer for home cooks.

The crew dives deep into the technical side of the pit, debating the challenges of offset cooking and breaking the stigma around a practical secret: finishing your barbecue in the oven. Beyond the food, Keenan shares the emotional reality of losing and rebuilding a social media presence from scratch, offering valuable insights for creators. From adventurous snack reviews to the importance of documenting family memories in the kitchen, this episode is packed with humor, heart, and actionable advice.

Key Takeaways:

• Culture Meets Creativity: How blending different cultural influences can elevate traditional BBQ recipes.
• The Oven Debate: Why "real" barbecue can be finished in the oven without shame to save time and resources.
• Mastering the Craft: The role of trial and error in refining techniques and the specific challenges of offset smokers.
• The Social Media Grind: The emotional toll and resilience required to rebuild a digital presence after a setback.
• Flavor Profiles: Tips on developing unique rubs and using versatile ingredients to enhance your cooking.

• Community & Family: How sharing food fosters connection and the importance of documenting these moments for the future.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Light Banter

02:56 Seasonal Cooking and Weather Changes

05:42 Introducing Kenan Alforque

08:00 The Roots of Barbecue Passion

10:57 Cultural Influences in Cooking

13:45 Trial and Error in Barbecue Mastery

16:33 Exploring Ethnic Flavors and Dishes

19:37 Creating Unique Rubs and Seasonings

24:04 Adventurous Eating and Culinary Exploration

29:50 The Journey of Snack Reviews

34:10 Barbecue Techniques and Cooking Methods

41:21 Culinary Fusion: Blending Cultures in Cooking

42:49 Creative Culinary Innovations

44:02 Overcoming Adversity in Social Media

47:38 Father-Son Cooking Bonds

53:55 Lightning Round: Quickfire Questions

56:37 Future Aspirations and Collaborations

🔥 This episode is sponsored by Harder Charcoal & Exhibit Supply! 🔥

🎬 A Cinematic BBQ Documentary Series by The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast

Episode 4 of our Open Fire MeatUp series is pure fire, flavor, and culture — a celebration of competition, tradition, and community cooking on a massive scale.

Filmed on the ground in Hondo, Texas, this episode captures some of the most high-energy moments of the weekend, from a fiery wing showdown to hands-on cultural cooking demonstrations and one of the most impressive whole-animal cooks of the entire event.

Brandon (@bkccooks) and Alton (@thedawgfathasbbq) take you through the action as the Open Fire story continues to unfold.

🔥 In this episode, you’ll experience:

🍗 Melinda’s Wing Battle 2025

A full-throttle wing competition featuring some of the most creative cooks in the game:

Chuck Matto of @ChucksFlavorTrain

Maciek Zurawski of @GrillinWithDad

Mel Chmilar Jr. of @DarkSideoftheGrill

Kevin Ortega of @KO.BBQ (returning winner)

Chris Binotto of @Chef_Binotto

Sunny Lynn Moody of @SunnyLynn_GrilledFit / @MoodSwingBBQ

Big flavors, bold techniques, and serious heat — all cooked live over fire.

🌮 Authentic Taco & Salsa Demonstration

A masterclass led by Alejandro Gutiérrez of @AlejandroSoyParrilleroMX, one of the most respected live-fire cooks in Mexico.

Alejandro breaks down:

Traditional taco preparation

Fresh salsa building from the ground up

Cooking with cabrito and whole ingredients

Why simplicity, fire, and respect for ingredients matter

This segment highlights the deep cultural roots that make open-fire cooking universal.

🔥 Argentine-Style Whole Steer Cook

A massive, show-stopping whole steer cook led by Javi Mejía of @BigJavs_BBQ, prepared in traditional Argentine asado style.

This is live-fire cooking at its highest level — patience, precision, and premium beef cooked low and slow over open flame.

This episode is about more than food.

It’s about fire as a shared language, tradition passed hand-to-hand, and the joy of cooking together in the open air.

📅 The Open Fire Series Continues

This is Episode 4 of a multi-part cinematic documentary filmed at Open Fire MeatUp 2025.

More episodes are coming — featuring more pitmasters, cooks, cultures, and unforgettable moments from Hondo.

👇 Join the conversation:

• Which cook or demo stood out to you most?

• Wings, tacos, or whole animal — what’s your fire preference?

• Who should we feature next?

More fire. More flavor. More stories.

🔥 Stay tuned — the Open Fire story continues.

Harder Charcoal – The premium fuel for serious pitmasters. Whether you’re smoking low and slow or grilling hot and fast, Harder XL Briquets and Lump Charcoal deliver clean, consistent heat with that authentic wood-fired flavor.

👉🏽 Use code BLACKSMOKE at checkout for a discount on your order!

🌐 https://www.hardercharcoal.com

Exhibit Supply – Trusted by food vendors, BBQ teams, and event pros nationwide. From heavy-duty canopies to custom food tents, Exhibit Supply keeps your setup looking sharp and built to last.

🌐 https://www.exhibitsupply.com

👉🏽 Before you do anything else — check out the site below!🎙️ The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BlackSmokeBarbecue

📲 Connect With Us

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/blacksmokebarbecue/

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@blacksmokebarbecue

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/blacksmokebarbecue

🔥 This episode is sponsored by Harder Charcoal & Exhibit Supply! 🔥

🔥 FIRE, FLAVOR & GOOD VIBES 🔥

Episode 3 — Open Fire MeatUp | Hondo, Texas

Episode 3 of our Open Fire MeatUp series shifts the energy — lighter, louder, and full of personality — while still rooted in the fire and culture that brought us to Hondo.

Brandon and Alton sit down with Erica Roby Blaire, the charismatic MC and host of Open Fire MeatUp, to talk about what it takes to guide one of the most dynamic live-fire events in the country. From commanding the crowd to connecting pitmasters and guests, Erica brings humor, warmth, and real joy to the fire — and it shows in every moment of this conversation.

We also catch up with Randy Pauly, award-winning pitmaster, founder of Holy Cow Cookers, and Head Pitmaster for Buc-ee’s. With over three decades of competition experience — including 31 years cooking at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo — Randy breaks down:

• What makes barbecue community different from competition

• Why details matter, whether you’re cooking for judges or the public

• How pit and cooker design has evolved into a science

• Why making memories comes before trophies

• And why getting kids involved in fire and food is how the culture survives

Threaded throughout the episode is cinematic B-roll from the grounds of Open Fire MeatUp — live-fire cooks, custom pits, smoke rolling, laughter in the crowd, and that unmistakable Texas energy that makes this event unlike any other.

This episode captures what Open Fire is really about:

🔥 Fire

🔥 Flavor

🔥 People

🔥 And good vibes all around

And this is just one chapter.

📆 The Open Fire MeatUp series continues nightly — with more interviews, more cooks, and more stories dropping as we roll toward the finale.

🎥 Filmed on location in Hondo

🔥 Presented by The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast

🎤 On-site hosts: Brandon Carpenter & Alton Matthews

Drop a comment and let us know:

👉 Which pit or cook caught your eye in this episode?

👉 Who do you want to hear from next in the series?

More fire coming.

Stay smoky. 🔥🔥🔥

Harder Charcoal – The premium fuel for serious pitmasters. Whether you’re smoking low and slow or grilling hot and fast, Harder XL Briquets and Lump Charcoal deliver clean, consistent heat with that authentic wood-fired flavor.

👉 Use code BLACKSMOKE at checkout for a discount on your order!

🌐 https://www.hardercharcoal.com

Exhibit Supply – Trusted by food vendors, BBQ teams, and event pros nationwide. From heavy-duty canopies to custom food tents, Exhibit Supply keeps your setup looking sharp and built to last.

🌐 https://www.exhibitsupply.com

👉🏽 Before you do anything else — check out the site below!🎙️ The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BlackSmokeBarbecue

📲 Connect With Us

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/blacksmokebarbecue/

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@blacksmokebarbecue

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/blacksmokebarbecue

🔥 This episode is sponsored by Harder Charcoal & Exhibit Supply! 🔥

🔥 WHY WE COOK BY FIRE | Open Fire MeatUp 2025 – Episode 2 🔥

🎬 A Cinematic BBQ Documentary Series by The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast

Episode 2 of our Open Fire MeatUp series takes us deeper into the heart of live-fire cooking — and the people who choose flame over convenience.

Brandon (@bkccooks) and Alton (@thedawgfathasbbq) sit down with Al Frugoni of @alfrugoniofc , the force behind the Open Fire MeatUp in Hondo, Texas, for an honest, thoughtful conversation about why cooking by fire still matters. Al breaks down the simplicity, joy, and connection that live fire brings — and why he has immense respect for traditional barbecue pitmasters, calling low-and-slow barbecue one of the hardest crafts in food.

This episode isn’t about trends.

It’s about intention, patience, and understanding the fire.

🔥 In this episode, you’ll experience:

• A powerful sit-down with Al Frugoni on live-fire philosophy and craft

• Behind-the-scenes moments from Open Fire MeatUp in Hondo, Texas

• Brandon and Alton documenting the event as part of the Black Smoke Barbecue crew

• The BBQ Influencer Dinner — where food, culture, and community collide

• Rasheed Phillips cooking traditional marinated jerk chicken over open fire to feed the masses

• Thyron Mathews firing up his signature smoked burgers topped with chimichurri aioli

• Real conversations, real fire, and real respect for the craft

This is Episode 2 of a multi-part documentary series filmed on the ground at Open Fire MeatUp 2025 — and the story is just getting started.

📅 Series Schedule

Episode 1: The Walkthrough — Now Playing

Episode 2: Why We Cook by Fire — You’re Watching

December 26 – January 1: New episode every night

If you love barbecue culture, live-fire cooking, open-air events, and cinematic storytelling — this series is for you.

👇 Join the conversation

• Why do you cook by fire?

• Have you ever been to Open Fire MeatUp?

• Who do you want to see next in this series?

More stories. More fire. More smoke.

🔥 Stay tuned — the Open Fire story continues.

Harder Charcoal – The premium fuel for serious pitmasters. Whether you’re smoking low and slow or grilling hot and fast, Harder XL Briquets and Lump Charcoal deliver clean, consistent heat with that authentic wood-fired flavor.

👉 Use code BLACKSMOKE at checkout for a discount on your order!

🌐 https://www.hardercharcoal.com

Exhibit Supply – Trusted by food vendors, BBQ teams, and event pros nationwide. From heavy-duty canopies to custom food tents, Exhibit Supply keeps your setup looking sharp and built to last.

🌐 https://www.exhibitsupply.com

👉🏽 Before you do anything else — check out the site below!🎙️ The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BlackSmokeBarbecue

📲 Connect With Us

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/blacksmokebarbecue/

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@blacksmokebarbecue

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/blacksmokebarbecue

🔥 This episode is sponsored by Harder Charcoal & Exhibit Supply! 🔥

Welcome to Episode 1 of our new cinematic BBQ series.

Brandon (@bkccooks) and Alton (@thedawgfathasbbq) hit the road with us to Hondo, Texas for the legendary Open Fire Meat Up by @AlFrugoni — and what we captured is unlike anything we’ve ever filmed.

“THE WALKTHROUGH” is a first-person experience through one of the most iconic open-fire cooking events in the country.

No interviews. Just the fire, the sound, the crowd, and the culture — exactly as it felt on the ground.

🔥 What you’ll see in this episode:

• The crowds lining up before gates open

• Pitmasters and creators prepping their stations

• Whole-animal cooks over live fire

• Vendors, rigs, flames, and Texas energy

• A raw, immersive POV experience from inside the event

• Brandon and Alton moving through the grounds, connecting with the people and the pitmasters

• The atmosphere that sets the stage for our entire week-long series

This episode is the beginning of something bigger.

Starting December 26 – January 1, we’ll be releasing a new episode every night featuring interviews and stories from some of the biggest names in BBQ — including Erica Roby Blaire, Malcom Reed, Heath Riles, Thyron Mathews, Al Lunacy, Butter Knife Shawty, The BBQ Principle, and many more.

If you love BBQ culture, open-fire cooking, Texas energy, and cinematic storytelling, you’re in the right place.

🔥 Presented by The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast

🎤 Hosts On-Site:

• Brandon Carpenter – @bkccooks

• Alton Matthews – @thedawgfathasbbq

📅 Series Release Schedule

Episode 1: The Walkthrough – Now Playing

Dec 26 – Jan 1: New episodes every night featuring interviews, cooks, fire, and behind-the-scenes moments from Open Fire Meat Up 2025.

Help us grow this series — drop a comment and let us know:

👉 Have you ever been to the Open Fire Meat Up?

👉 Who are you most excited to see in this series?

More fire coming all week.

Stay tuned. Stay smoky. 🔥🔥🔥

Harder Charcoal – The premium fuel for serious pitmasters. Whether you’re smoking low and slow or grilling hot and fast, Harder XL Briquets and Lump Charcoal deliver clean, consistent heat with that authentic wood-fired flavor.

👉 Use code BLACKSMOKE at checkout for a discount on your order!

🌐 https://www.hardercharcoal.com

Exhibit Supply – Trusted by food vendors, BBQ teams, and event pros nationwide. From heavy-duty canopies to custom food tents, Exhibit Supply keeps your setup looking sharp and built to last.

🌐 https://www.exhibitsupply.com

👉🏽 Before you do anything else — check out the site below!🎙️ The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BlackSmokeBarbecue

📲 Connect With Us

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/blacksmokebarbecue/

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@blacksmokebarbecue

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/blacksmokebarbecue

Smoked Turkey, Gator & Family Traditions

Welcome back to The Backyard Pitmasters Podcast! In this episode, hosts Charlie Mav and Tee are recovering from the holiday rush and reflecting on their Thanksgiving feasts. 🦃🔥

From the chaos of family gatherings to the triumph of the perfect smoked turkey, the guys break down exactly how their cooks went. We discuss the secret to crispy skin (hint: butter compound!), the challenges of managing different grills, and the unique experience of cooking alligator for the holiday.

Beyond the food, we dive deep into the importance of family recipes, honoring the legacy of loved ones through cooking, and why making memories around the table is the ultimate goal of a Pitmaster.

🔥 Key Takeaways from this Episode:

• The Turkey Technique: Why using a butter compound under the skin is a game-changer.
• Alternative Meats: Is Gator a viable holiday dinner option?
• Side Dish Stars: Why collard greens and stuffing often steal the show.
• Grill Management: The importance of temperature control and knowing your equipment.
• Family & Legacy: How cooking connects us to our history and creates new traditions.

👇 Drop a comment below: What was the star of your Thanksgiving plate this year?

#BackyardPitmasters #BBQPodcast #SmokedTurkey #ThanksgivingRecap #Grilling #BBQCommunity

🔥 Welcome to The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast – where flavor meets family, culture, and holiday traditions. 🔥

In this festive episode, host Brandon, Charlie, Tee and Alton dive into their holiday cooking plans, sharing the dishes, traditions, and stories that make this season special. From stuffing a whole gator with boudin to perfecting smoked turkeys, collard greens, and holiday dressing, the team breaks down what’s hitting their plates and what traditions they refuse to compromise on.

🍽️ Inside This Episode:

• Why holiday cooking sparks creativity and excitement
• The legendary dish: boudin-stuffed whole gator
• Dressing so good it can be a whole meal by itself
• Collard greens and turnip greens as holiday essentials
• Why the thermometer is your best friend for perfect meats
• When to stick with the classics—and when to leave food trends alone
• The love behind oyster dressing for those who grew up with it
• Why restaurant ambiance means nothing if the food isn’t right
• The questionable food combos trending this season
• A warm wrap-up with holiday wishes, tips, and encouragement

🎄🔥 Whether you’re smoking a turkey, stirring greens, or trying something bold this year, this episode brings the laughs, the flavor, and the heart of holiday cooking.

Chapters

00:00 Holiday Cooks: A New Tradition

04:53 Unique Ingredients and Techniques

09:52 The Art of Dressing: A Family Tradition

11:49 Cooking Tips and Techniques

12:47 The Importance of Greens in Southern Cooking

14:48 Nostalgic Family Meals and Traditions

17:45 Contemporary Food Trends and Innovations

20:39 Thanksgiving Cooking and Final Thoughts

👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for more stories, tips, and smoky holiday joy from the Black Smoke family!

#BlackSmokeBBQ #HolidayCooking #BoudinStuffedGator #SmokedTurkey #GreensAndDressing #OysterDressing #BBQPodcast #HolidayTraditions #FoodCulture #BlackPitmasters #CookingTips