Is there smell anything finer than wood smoke, and fire-cooked meat? We think not. But how do you ensure that you are always getting the absolute best cook on your meat, no matter what? Some of that comes down to you, but a lot of it comes down to having the right backyard BBQ pit for the job. So here’s what you need to know.
The most important thing to getting the right cook is to have an even temperature. If you wanted an uneven cook, you’d toss that steak in the microwave, and you wouldn’t be caught dead doing that. The best backyard BBQ pits are designed so that the heat radiates evenly inside the pit, delivering the slow, even cooking temperature you need to get an even heat all over, while retaining the essential juices that carry all that lovely flavor.
Any backyard BBQ pro worth his salt will baby his pit, but that doesn’t mean it should be a chore. It’s important to take cleaning into consideration. Ease of cleaning means no complicated parts getting in the way, no little holes for grease to end up in, and it means being made from materials that are naturally easy to clean. We’ll just call that the Cook to Clean ratio. You want to maximize that Cook to Clean ratio by spending lots of time cooking and as little time cleaning, without making sacrifices.
The third thing you have to think about is what sort of add-ons you’re looking for. Do you want a smoker? Is that a silly question? Do you want a firebox? Both? When you’re in the market for a backyard BBQ pit, think about the add-ons, because that is going to inform your purchase decision.
Once you know what you need in all these categories, you’re ready to start looking for a backyard BBQ pit!