BBQ - Everyone's Right and Everyone's Wrong...just my two cents

[scooter lee]

Recently, and hell, I've gotta be honest...for many years, I've been watching TV cooking shows about Barbeque (BBQ). Most recently there has been a flurry of shows on the Food Network and the Travel Channel. All of these shows have tried to put our wonderful BBQ in a box, which really can't be done; and they have tried to convince me of the historically correct origins of BBQ.

Now, I'm from Texas, and to hear it down here, "WE" invented BBQ and that the only BBQ is beef. Some Texans will try to sway you into believing that it must be dry with a "rub" while some will strive to win you over to a wet "sauce" concept.

If you travel much, you will find that every part of the country has their own style and technique; and each region will try to to convince you that theirs is "the original" or it is "the only real, true BBQ. Hell, even the Koreans have their own version of BBQ!

Well in my many years, I've lived all over the US and the world and I'm here to tell you - we are all full of it! More like we are full of ourselves! It doesn't matter whether you go "wet" or "dry", or if you use a mustard, vinegar or tomato kinda sauce - whether you cook pork, beef, poultry, seafood, veggies or whatever; as long as it is slow cooked over a low heat source, it's BBQ! Understand that I am also here to confirm that grilling is grilling and BBQing is BBQing! Grilling is high heat, short cook time (as a rule); while BBQ is "low and slow". All the other stuff is just "fluff!"

The other side of this coin deals with the concept of where the term Barbeque came from. Everyone wants to claim the origin of the "sport"! I've herad Texans say that it originated here in the Great State and Former Republic of Texas, and i've heard it started in the Caribbean, Kansas claims it, as does California, the entire Carolina region of the US, as well as Mexico, and the list goes on...

Some claim it was 'this' Indian Tribe and others say it was 'that' Indian Tribe, some say it was the early cowboys and vaqueros of the Great American Southwest and Frontier Mexico. Of course everyone claims that they were the first to use the term, "barbacoa!

So as I see it, we are all really full of it - none of that stuff really matters. All that really matters is that it's slow cooked (with smoke) and that it tasts really killer. We need to be open to all of the various forms of our beloved "Q" and share ideas and recipes without all the "It was me who invented it!" kinda mindset!

Let's just cook it, eat it, enjoy it and share it!

By all means, everyone feel free to chime in and let me know your thoughts on this subject! Just leave out the discussion of grilling burgers and dogs!

 

[SmokinAl]

You must have come from another BBQ forum, because the kind of thing you are talking about does not go on here. Our sole purpose here is to try to gain as much knowledge as we can about our hobby. No one here cares how BBQ originated, or what part of the country has the best BBQ. We are all friends here & we try to help each other get better at creating the best BBQ we possibly can. Our best recipes & technique's are freely exchanged. We take great pride in helping new folks advance in their BBQ skills. There is no other forum like this one. IMHO. Now we can both climb down off our soapboxes, and I welcome you to SMF.

 

[Fife]

All I know is I have leared alot from this forum and have had the pleasure to meet some GREAT people. I am always open to some new ways to do my smoke. I live in Florida and all I can say is I love BBQ and dont care where it came from. ENJOY

 

[solaryellow]

As Richoso says, "It's all good my friend."

History is interesting but always open to interpretation. If you make food that you enjoy and you do it safely, then you are doing it right.

The issues that crop up usually seem to center around someone who can't accept someone else's technique or recipe is equal, better, or different than their own. There are lots of ways to get somewhere and not everyone takes the same path. It is what makes hobbies like this interesting.

 

[scooter lee]

To Smokin' Al - I wasn't trying to insinuate that this kind of thing goes on here on this forum or site...just that it does go on in our world and I was trying to relate that I thought it was kinda juvenile to be that way. BBQ is like manna from heaven...doesn't matter where it comes from, etc... I'm here because this is not "That kind of place" and because everyone teaches and learns from each other! Let's get the fire started and get smoked!

 

[SmokinAl]

Like I said Scooter, Welcome to SMF!

 

[daveomak]

Scooter Lee, Welcome to the friendliest forum on the web and enjoy the "long smokey" ride. Dave                  

 

[mossymo]

If it involves food I am open minded to all methods, as I enjoy eating my mistakes!

 

[boykjo]

Well evidently BBQ must have been invented in Des Moines Iowa cause they just found a dead guy who's 7000 yrs old. He was a cook. They also found a MES and a A-maze-n-smoker near by...

  

           

here is the article

A group of workers roil or drain construction in Iowa – United States (U.S.) accidentally found ancient human body. The ancient human body was found in Southeast Des Moines, estimated age of 7 thousand years.

According to Fox News, Thursday, April 14, 2011, known to ancient human body have been found since last January, but was only announced to the public in April.

The workers find ancient human body near a site where according to estimates by scientists is the activity of a group of ancient humans to do the cooking, harvesting, and food to thousands of years ago.

Famous archeology in the United States (U.S.), John Doershuk at the Des Moines Register said that the site similar to sites found in the Midwest and is unique .

To keep the site from looting and stay safe from scientists then deliberately hid the existence of this site.

As a result of the discovery and archaeological excavation is a delay drain project valued at US$ 37.8 million, which takes a least six months of work. Waste water Reclamation Authority expected to lose money worth US$ 1.5 million more a result of delays in the sewer project.

Up to now not known to ancient human species are found. A common ancient human species found around South America are Paranthropus Transvaalensis and Paranthropus Robustus.
The characteristics of that ancient human body is has a height of 1.5 meters, the brain size of about 500 cubic centimeters and lived in the open.

 

[the dude abides]

Scooter,

This is why, I believe, there is such an influx of BBQ shows, resturants, books, etc.  I think it's all good for the "sport" of BBQ.  As long as people are talking about and claiming theirs is better than someone else's is fueling the popularity of this method of cooking. 

By the way, bbq was indeed "invented" in what is now known as Des Moines, Iowa.  LOL

And my ribs are better than yours.  JOKING!

Well evidently BBQ must have been invented in Des Moines Iowa cause they just found a dead guy who's 7000 yrs old. He was a cook. They also found a MES and a A-maze-n-smoker near by...

  

           

here is the article

A group of workers roil or drain construction in Iowa – United States (U.S.) accidentally found ancient human body. The ancient human body was found in Southeast Des Moines, estimated age of 7 thousand years.

According to Fox News, Thursday, April 14, 2011, known to ancient human body have been found since last January, but was only announced to the public in April.

The workers find ancient human body near a site where according to estimates by scientists is the activity of a group of ancient humans to do the cooking, harvesting, and food to thousands of years ago.

Famous archeology in the United States (U.S.), John Doershuk at the Des Moines Register said that the site similar to sites found in the Midwest and is unique .

To keep the site from looting and stay safe from scientists then deliberately hid the existence of this site.

As a result of the discovery and archaeological excavation is a delay drain project valued at US$ 37.8 million, which takes a least six months of work. Waste water Reclamation Authority expected to lose money worth US$ 1.5 million more a result of delays in the sewer project.

Up to now not known to ancient human species are found. A common ancient human species found around South America are Paranthropus Transvaalensis and Paranthropus Robustus.
The characteristics of that ancient human body is has a height of 1.5 meters, the brain size of about 500 cubic centimeters and lived in the open.

 

I was a part of this same tribe some 7 thousand years ago.  Not only did we invent the art of BBQ, we also had a time machine that was given to us by the people from space.  That was my uncle's body they found.  He refused to get into the time machine with me.  He kept muttering some mumbo-jumbo about dying instead of living under Obama.  Not sure what he meant.
 

 

[alblancher]

Just to throw a monkey wrench in the conversation.  What I do is smoking, between 225 and 275 degrees with indirect heat.  In my opinion BBQ is over 300 degrees with indirect or I should so "not direct heat".  I think it takes me twice as long to cook a meal as it does someone BBQing and 5 to 10 times as long as some one grilling.

Just my opinion,  smoking also require some type of wood,  Either as a fuel source or as a flavor generator.  BBQ and Grilling may or may not have wood involved.  Don't know what KCBS says about it,  just the way I perceive the world.

I wish the Americas could take credit for BBQ, but it seems to me that the earliest caveman that laid a piece of meat near a fire invented BBQ.  I do think we have embraced it as part of our culture and laid claim to the name.  Just wanted to point out the I seldom BBQ and even less often grill  

I believe regional differences in BBQ are quickly going the way of mom and pop hamburger and fried chicken joints.  Admit it, when you travel, how often do you seek out the little time worn place on the side of the road for lunch instead of driving through the same McDonalds or Chile's you know you can get at least a decent meal from?   Because of the hobby we share I think this forum will respond that they visit the mom and pop shop but I guarantee if you ask your friends or family they go where they know.

I occassionally do pork, occassionally do beef, sometimes use a sweet tomato base sauce sometimes a tart vinegar and mustard sauce.  Just whatever strikes me at the time.

Welcome to the forum, I understand the spirit of your original post and agree with you 100%.  Remember these TV shows have to sell AD time, to do that they have to have viewers.  To have viewers they have to be a bit different then the other programs so they stretch reality a bit to get you to watch.

Al

 

[roller]

Welcome aboard and hope you like to smoke meat because that is what goes on here. I do not look at Smoking Meat Poultry and Fish as anything but just that....Smoking. All of that other stuff means nothing to me...Just Smoking...that`s it.  No tomato base sauce for me thank you !!!!

 

[thestealth]

I don't know about the 'history' of it all, I just know what is pleasing to my pallet.  Growing up w/ a family that didn't really travel, all I ever experienced was KC BBQ.  It's good, no doubt about it....however, I'm one to experiment.  Since picking up the smoking addiction a few years ago, I've found that experimenting adds a lot of fun to the equation.  I suspect man has been cooking directly/indirectly over fires since the beginning of time, so 'arguing' about who was the original is really just a waste of time.   

My wife sings on a concert choir, this weekend was there performance(s).  So, to reward some of her peers/family, I smoked a brisket.  I just used my basic rub, but just for grins I made the following sauces; KC style sweet sauce, South Carolina Mustard based sauce, Memphis style spicy and sweet sauce, Alabama style white sauce and some East NC style vinegar sauce (which I really wish I would have made a couple of days ago).  I sampled all of them and to be honest, they were all good in their own way.  I look forward to seeing how the compliment the meat here in about an hour.

I suppose I rambled on about nothing really, but if one doesn't try something different, how will they know whether they like it or not?

Happy smoking!!

 

[cajun smoke]

He kept muttering some mumbo-jumbo about dying instead of living under Obama.  Not sure what he meant.

lmao, well played sir. 

 

[beer-b-q]

Recently, and hell, I've gotta be honest...for many years, I've been watching TV cooking shows about Barbeque (BBQ). Most recently there has been a flurry of shows on the Food Network and the Travel Channel. All of these shows have tried to put our wonderful BBQ in a box, which really can't be done; and they have tried to convince me of the historically correct origins of BBQ.

Now, I'm from Texas, and to hear it down here, "WE" invented BBQ and that the only BBQ is beef. Some Texans will try to sway you into believing that it must be dry with a "rub" while some will strive to win you over to a wet "sauce" concept.

If you travel much, you will find that every part of the country has their own style and technique; and each region will try to to convince you that theirs is "the original" or it is "the only real, true BBQ. Hell, even the Koreans have their own version of BBQ!

Well in my many years, I've lived all over the US and the world and I'm here to tell you - we are all full of it! More like we are full of ourselves! It doesn't matter whether you go "wet" or "dry", or if you use a mustard, vinegar or tomato kinda sauce - whether you cook pork, beef, poultry, seafood, veggies or whatever; as long as it is slow cooked over a low heat source, it's BBQ! Understand that I am also here to confirm that grilling is grilling and BBQing is BBQing! Grilling is high heat, short cook time (as a rule); while BBQ is "low and slow". All the other stuff is just "fluff!"

The other side of this coin deals with the concept of where the term Barbeque came from. Everyone wants to claim the origin of the "sport"! I've herad Texans say that it originated here in the Great State and Former Republic of Texas, and i've heard it started in the Caribbean, Kansas claims it, as does California, the entire Carolina region of the US, as well as Mexico, and the list goes on...

Some claim it was 'this' Indian Tribe and others say it was 'that' Indian Tribe, some say it was the early cowboys and vaqueros of the Great American Southwest and Frontier Mexico. Of course everyone claims that they were the first to use the term, "barbacoa!

So as I see it, we are all really full of it - none of that stuff really matters. All that really matters is that it's slow cooked (with smoke) and that it tasts really killer. We need to be open to all of the various forms of our beloved "Q" and share ideas and recipes without all the "It was me who invented it!" kinda mindset!

Let's just cook it, eat it, enjoy it and share it!

By all means, everyone feel free to chime in and let me know your thoughts on this subject! Just leave out the discussion of grilling burgers and dogs!

History & Geography Lesson;

1. Kansas does not claim it.
2. Kansas City Claims it.
3. There are 2 Kansas City (s).
4. Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas City, Kansas.
5. Kansas City, Missouri Claims it.

 

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