Barbecue - What is it

[PolishDeli]

Interested in everyone's opinion on this.
When you say "barbecue," what are you actually talking about?

I asked friends and family. Noone seems to agree on criteria.

Pulled pork, ribs, brisket. I think most people would call that barbecue.
What about smoked sausages?
Burgers and hotdogs on a gas grill?
Rotisserie chicken?
Anything cooked outside over fire and smoke?
Must be low-n-slow?
Does it need a certain type of sauce or rub?
...etc...
?

 

[TNJAKE]

IMO BBQ is a method of cooking not confined to any particular piece of meat

 

[SmokinEdge]

To me, it’s cooked slow and low with fire. In the 225-285* range.That’s bbq.
otherwise it’s smoking 180* and lower or it’s grilling. 300-500* hot and fast.

 

[Hamdrew]

Peking duck - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Combustion-flavored food that's been popular for a reason for about 1000yrs, maybe??

 

[SmokinAl]

I think most folks call BBQ just about anything cooked outside on just about any grill or smoker, or open fire!
Al

 

[thirdeye]

Barbecue (aka Bar-B-Que, Barbeque, BBQ): Meat cooked in the lightly smoky dry heat of wood coals or charcoal, at temperatures of 225° to 275°, using an indirect or very raised direct technique which allow fats to render, meat to become tender while preserving its natural juices and picking-up flavors from any any number of seasonings or spices, and which is sometimes basted or sauced during the process.

Barbecuist: Someone skilled in the art of barbecue.

 

[bbqbrett]

I think most folks call BBQ just about anything cooked outside on just about any grill or smoker, or open fire!
Al

Yeah, I think that is how most people think of BBQ. They go to barbecue at their friends or neighbors and often get burgers, dogs, steaks etc. In recent years though more people have been getting smokers and I think more people are tending to come to see BBQ as low and slow though.

 

[MJB05615]

I agree. Growing up in NJ, we didn't know from smoked meats in my area. Burgers, Dogs and Steaks on the Grill was BBQ. Once I moved to Ga, and got into smoking, I realized that was considered BBQ, and stuff cooked on the Grill was Grilled.
Confusing at the least.

 

[tx smoker]

Barbecue is a noun, not a verb. It is the result of a long, slow, low temp (most of the time) cooking process. It is what you eat, not what you do to create the food you eat.

Or so i'm told,
Robert

 

[TNJAKE]

Barbecue is a noun, not a verb. It is the result of a long, slow, low temp (most of the time) cooking process. It is what you eat, not what you do to create the food you eat.

Or so i'm told,
Robert

Technically it's a noun and a verb

 

[Gonna Smoke]

IMO BBQ is a method of cooking not confined to any particular piece of meat

This is exactly my thought. The food being cooked will be relevant to wherever someone is located and their local cuisine.....

 

[SmokinGame]

I just love BBQ ... whatever it is!!

 

[JLeonard]

BBQ. Grilled. Smoked. Dont care what ya call it.....If it taste good, bring it on!
Jim

 

[texomakid]

Man, this could get deep

 

[sawhorseray]

Man, this could get deep

Or not. RAY

 

[bill1]

It's like pornography...I know it when I see it.
Or smell it.

 

[Central PA Cowboy]

When I hear BBQ, I think either something that will be smoked or meat on the grill.

 

[Fueling Around]

Interested in everyone's opinion on this.
When you say "barbecue," what are you actually talking about?
...
Burgers and hotdogs on a gas grill?
...

That is the furthest from barbecue (barbeque, bbq) that I can imagine. I don't even consider it grilling. Comparable to frying inside on the gas range. I had one for over 20 years because the critters didn't like charcoal or wood when they were young and the apartment when first married only allowed gas grills on the deck.

IMO BBQ is a method of cooking not confined to any particular piece of meat

You danced around and didn't define the "method".

 

[TNJAKE]

That is the furthest from barbecue (barbeque, bbq) that I can imagine. I don't even consider it grilling. Comparable to frying inside on the gas range. I had one for over 20 years because the critters didn't like charcoal or wood when they were young and the apartment when first married only allowed gas grills on the deck.

You danced around and didn't define the "method".

My response was mostly in part to the different cuts of meat being called bbq. A brisket can't be called bbq just because it's a brisket. You can put it in a crockpot but the end result won't be bbq. It's the long slow "method" on a smoker that makes it bbq

 

[texomakid]

Rainy day and I'm googling the origins of BBQ - a lot of info out there but this was a quick and interesting read

What's the History of the Barbecue?

A favorite American pastime and a summer tradition for many, Barbecues have a long and surprisingly patriotic history.

www.livescience.com

So much for the BBQ Pistol ................