Welcome back to Season 2 of The BBQ Nerds Podcast.

If you’ve ever struggled to control your smoker temperature or felt like your fire has a mind of its own, this episode is going to change the way you cook.

In this episode, Frank Cox — The BBQ Pit Engineer — breaks down fire behavior inside a smoker in a way that finally makes sense. No fluff, no rambling, no interviews. Just real BBQ education for people who want to understand why their pit behaves the way it does.

You’ll learn:

 • The three ways heat actually moves inside a smoker

 • How draft works and why airflow matters more than the thermometer

 • What makes direct heat behave differently than an offset

 • Why the coal bed is the foundation of clean, stable cooking

 • The common fire and airflow mistakes beginners make

 • Practical steps you can use on your very next cook

If you want BBQ to be predictable instead of a guessing game, mastering fire behavior is the first step.

Hit follow, invite another BBQ Nerd into the inner circle, and let’s keep learning together.

Welcome to Season 2 of The BBQ Nerds Podcast — and if you’re here, you already know this isn’t just another BBQ podcast.

This season is for the folks who don’t just cook barbecue… they nerd out on it. The ones who obsess over airflow, study coal beds, debate radiant heat vs convection, and want to actually understand why barbecue works instead of guessing their way through a cook.

In this Season 2 teaser, you’ll hear exactly what makes this show different:

Just clear, simple, science-backed BBQ education you can actually use.

Hosted by Frank Cox — The BBQ Pit Engineer, this podcast breaks down the fire, the science, and the secrets behind great BBQ in short, powerful episodes that help you cook better every week.

If you’re ready to join the inner circle of BBQ Nerds… hit follow, bring a fellow ’que-obsessed friend, and get ready for the most educational season of BBQ content you’ve ever heard.

Season 2 starts now.

Turn up the heat with Part 4 of the BBQ Nerds Podcast, carved from our 1.5-hour YouTube livestream!

Hosts Dave Fier (@realmeatstick) and Frank Cox (@smokerbuilder) explore Middle Eastern twists on barbecue—breaking the mold with smoky pork and lamb shoulder slathered in olive oil, lemon juice, and pasty rubs like za’atar or harissa. 

Think kabobs over charcoal, roasted eggplant for baba ganoush (eggplant, tahini, garlic, lemon), and hummus with chickpeas and tajin spice—perfect for dipping or fusion sides. 

Listener HojoBBQ jumps in with Middle Eastern lamb tips, while TrumpetMaster77 drools over Indian masalas and vindaloo vibes.

Then, we gallop into horseradish territory—pairing it with beef like a creamy binder for prime rib or a zesty twist on pastrami with Alabama white sauce.

 

From homemade creamy horseradish at Sybil’s Restaurant in St. James, Missouri to Duke’s mayo mashups, we’ve got the science and flavor to elevate your pit game. Sponsored by Smokeslinger Pits—hit smokeslinger.com for offset smokers like the Liberty 94 (launched Feb 2, 2025) and smoke like a pro. 

Keywords: Middle Eastern BBQ, BBQ rubs, horseradish sauce, fusion barbecue, Smokeslinger Pits, barbecue podcast, lamb shoulder BBQ, baba ganoush, hummus recipe, pastrami BBQ

Subscribe for more smoky goodness and keep the pits hot—stay nerdy about barbecue!

Get ready for the another slice of our 1.5-hour YouTube livestream on the BBQ Nerds Podcast! In Part 3, hosts Dave Fier (@realmeatstick) and Frank Cox (@smokerbuilder) answer listener Daniel Perez’s question about barbecue injections—secret weapons of competition Pitmasters.

From the OG FAB powder with phosphates to Tony Chachere’s Cajun butter for pulled pork and deep-fried turkeys, we break down how injections like apple juice, cider vinegar, and Blues Hog Bold & Beefy amp up moisture and flavor deep in the meat. Ever tried a battery-powered Chops Power Injector for a whole hog? 

We’ve got the scoop!

Then, we pivot to the fusion BBQ revolution—where traditional smoked meats meet global flavors. Think Kansas City burnt ends glazed with Korean gochujang and red chili paste, or Texas brisket turned into barbacoa tacos with salsa verde. 

We’re talking Argentinian chimichurri on sausage, Indian masala with Hawaiian Kona coffee rubs, and even shotgun shells—manicotti stuffed with BBQ goodies, wrapped in bacon, and smoked. 

From fatties to empanadas, this episode celebrates the melting pot of modern barbecue.

Sponsored by Smokeslinger Pits—visit smokeslinger.com for custom offset smokers like the Liberty94 (launched Feb 2, 2025) and elevate your pit game. Whether you’re injecting pork loins or fusing Tex-Mex with Southern classics, we’ve got the nerdy details to inspire your next cook. 

Keywords: BBQ injections, fusion barbecue, competition BBQ, Smokeslinger Pits, barbecue podcast, Pitmaster secrets, global BBQ flavors, brisket tacos, Korean BBQ, Argentinian chimichurri

Subscribe now and keep the smoke rolling—stay nerdy about barbecue!

Fire up your pits and join Dave Fier (@realmeatstick) and Frank Cox (@smokerbuilder) for Part 2 of the BBQ Nerds Podcast, sliced from our 1.5-hour YouTube livestream! 

This 15-minute episode digs into the juicy debate of mopping versus saucing—did basting with natural juices predate today’s BBQ sauces? We journey from medieval roasting to modern Pitmaster tricks, spotlighting regional barbecue sauce styles that define the craft.

Discover the tangy vinegar-pepper sauces of Eastern North Carolina (think Rodney Scott and Sam Jones), the mustard-powered Carolina Gold, and the creamy, horseradish-kicked Alabama white sauce from Big Bob Gibson’s.

Then, head south to Tennessee for thick Blues Hog molasses blends and back to Texas for thin, beefy mop sauces and the rising star of pepper jelly—like Sucklebusters and Texas Pepper Jelly—adding sweet heat to ribs and brisket. Plus, we nerd out on fusion BBQ, from Tex-Mex influences to competition blends like Blues Hog Champions Blend with maple syrup.

Bonus: Listeners chime in with wild ideas—Rodney Scott’s sauce as salad dressing or a Bloody Mary kicker? We’ve got burnt-end garnishes and spicy Sunday sipping covered too! Sponsored by Smokeslinger Pits—check out smokeslinger.com for top-tier offset smokers like the Liberty94 (launched Feb 2, 2025) and bring pro-level smoke to your backyard. Whether you’re into dry rubs, thin mops, or thick glazes, this episode has BBQ flavor science for every Pitmaster.

Keywords: BBQ sauces, mopping barbecue, Carolina vinegar sauce, Alabama white sauce, Texas pepper jelly, BBQ rubs, Smoke Slinger Pits, barbecue podcast, Pitmaster techniques, regional BBQ styles

Subscribe for Part 3 and keep the smoke rolling—stay nerdy about barbecue!

Welcome to the BBQ Nerds Podcast, where smoked meats meet science and flavor innovation!

In this 15-minute episode (Part 1 of our 1.5-hour YouTube livestream), hosts Dave Fier (@realmeatstick) and Frank Cox (https://www.youtube.com/@SmokerBuilder) unpack the rich history and modern twists of regional barbecue. 

From Texas offset smokers pumping out post oak-smoked brisket to Kansas City’s sweet, molasses-heavy sauces glazing ribs, we’re breaking down the gear, rubs, and techniques that define barbecue culture. 

Discover how Pitmasters are remixing classics with global flair—think Texas brisket with Chinese five-spice or Carolina pork spiced with Middle Eastern flavors.

We spotlight iconic smokers like the Smokeslinger Liberty94 offset (launched Feb 2, 2025) and dig into the evolution of barbecue pits—from Texas propane tank offsets to Missouri rotisseries and Memphis brick flues.

Plus, get the scoop on rubs like Plowboys Yardbird and sauces from legends like Arthur Bryant’s. Whether you’re a backyard BBQ warrior or a competition Pitmaster, this episode is packed with tips, history, and flavor inspiration.

Sponsored by Smokeslinger Pits—visit smokeslinger.com for custom barbecue pits like the Mini A (24x30) and Full-Size Smoke Slinger (24x48). Keep your pits hot, your smoke rolling, and stay nerdy about barbecue! 

Subscribe now for Part 2 and more smoked meat mastery.

Keywords: barbecue smokers, BBQ rubs, barbecue sauces, Texas brisket, Kansas City ribs, offset smokers, regional barbecue, Smoke Slinger Pits, BBQ podcast, Pitmaster tips, global BBQ fusion

Polish your pit’s exterior with BBQ Nerds Podcast Part 6!

Hosts Dave Fier (@realmeatstick) and Frank Cox (@smokerbuilder) dive into outdoor BBQ maintenance.

From battling rust under tarps to reviving pits left in winter weather, they reveal why oiling beats painting—think boiled linseed oil for a showpiece patina.

Frank shares his ‘Bingo’ pit story, turning surface rust into a storytelling finish, while Dave tackles grease streaks with magic erasers and nylon brushes.

Learn to feather-edge rust spots with fine sandpaper or microfiber for a pro look, no harsh sanding needed.

Perfect for BBQ lovers who want a pit that wows—listen now!

Sponsored by Smokeslinger.com—Epic BBQ Pits.

Elevate your BBQ pit care with BBQ Nerds Podcast Part 5!

Hosts Dave Fier (@realmeatstick) and Frank Cox (@smokerbuilder) tackle chimney and rust challenges.

Wondering how to clean your smoker’s smokestack?

They explore frequent brushing with chimney sweep tools or a drill-powered dryer vent brush to clear creosote buildup—no fireplace logs needed for offsets.

On rust, they debunk myths: surface rust is harmless—just wipe with oil, skip the sandpaper, for a sleek finish.

From power washing to Pam sprays, get expert hacks for consistent, competition-level BBQ.

Tune in now! Sponsored by Smokeslinger.com — Epic BBQ Pits.

Level up your BBQ pit game with BBQ Nerds Podcast Part 4!

Hosts Dave Fier (@realmeatstick) and Frank Cox (@smokerbuilder) spill the beans on steam cleaning and wet wood woes.

Master steam cleaning round bar grates with a hot pit (300°F+) and a pump sprayer—watching grease vanish like magic.

Frank tackles the chaos of wet wood, from creosote clogging your pit to sap boiling out of logs, while Dave connects it to firefighter smoke-reading for spotting trouble.

Bonus: Frank’s wood-drying hack using a warming oven at 135°F for cleaner, faster burns.

A must for BBQ nerds—listen now for pit perfection!

Sponsored by Smokeslinger.com—Epic BBQ Pits.

Level up your BBQ pit cleaning game with BBQ Nerds Podcast Part 3!

Hosts Dave Fier (@realmeatstick) and Frank Cox (@smokerbuilder) reveal pro hacks to keep your grill spotless.

Discover how odorless kitty litter or oil dry soaks up grease like magic—perfect for competition cooks with dripping injections.

Dave shares his Smokeslinger drain pan trick, while Frank dives into degreasers like Zep oven cleaner to blast away stubborn buildup.

Plus, learn the best brushes for expanded metal grates—nylon over steel to avoid bristle hazards.

From shop vacs to weed burners, this episode’s got quirky, practical tips for every pitmaster.

Listen now and clean smarter!

Sponsored by SmokeSlinger.com — epic barbecue pits.