Customer Reviews

Backyard BBQ: The Art of Smokology

5 star:		(67)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Just so were on the same page, this book is on smoking, as opposed to be purely another book on BBQ. Smoking is a technique that takes time and patience and don't expect to get things perfect the first several tries. McPeake opens the book by discussing different types of smokers. McPeake says bigger is not better. I would also add that more expensive is not necessarily better either as you can achieve great results with an inexpensive water smoker. No smoker? No problem. McPeake also explains how you can use your kettle grill...even your gas grill for smoking and still make great smoked BBQ. It does work well with a gas grill once you get your technique down. McPeake provides a list of different wood types and the tastes they will provide. I love apple wood with chicken, it gives it a great flavor. In additon to the techniques which I consider the most valuable section, there's chapters on meat selection, temperatures, rubs, etc. Fully 1/2 the book is technique oriented before te 2nd half gets into some recipes. Very good, funamental and advanced smoking book.

The recipes are the best, but the insight on smoking techiniques is why you have to have this book. It teaches you so much. From the meals I've made, I've had so many people tell me it's the best meal they've ever eaten. How often does that happen? Because of this book, I know I could win BBQ contests. It's amazing.

There's even recipes for sides and learning how to make the smoked bacon & onion baked beans is worth the price of the book. I don't usually write reviews, but this book is so good that I felt compelled to do so. Enjoy.

Since getting into the bbq world, I have purchased many books on this subject. I can honestly say that this book, since receiving it, is a gem! The whole book is all about smoking, not any stories about himself or grilling. It is truely a book about the art of smoking. He does a great job in breaking down the things to do before you get to the smoker, what happens during the process and how to change or improve your results, and what to do after the process.

I have even email the chef and received a respond to one of my questions and in a timely manner.

The book covers all the basic meats of smoking and then touches on the harder to do items, like expensive cuts of meats and the always hard to do seafood. His section on seafood brining and smoking is one of my favorite chapters.

If you are looking for a book that cuts through all the hype and stories about themselves and just focues on the Art, this is the book for you!! It is not a pretty book, but it is a great book for producing some awesome bbq!

Smoking meat is not a trivial process, as I learned when I bought my first smoker. My first attempt was a disaster, producing a burned, woody, unpleasant product. In fact, it was so bad, I had thoughts of never firing up my smoker again. But, after my wife bought this book for me, and I read the "basics" chapters, I immediately realized the several mistakes I made. While my second attempt wasn't nearly as bad as the first, it wasn't what I was hoping for. By reading and following Richard's instructions, tips and following his basic recipes, the third attempt at producing brisket turned out wonderful. What I like about this book is that it's written for both the beginning novice as well as the advanced smoker, with great, easy to follow recipes for rubs, mops, and sauces. And, it's not just dedicated to smoking brisket and ribs, but all sorts of other meats including seafood and poultry. If you struggle to produce a well-smoked product or are interested in improving your technique, I highly recommend this book! No other book has been as helpful as this one for me.

I have been producing much improved smoked bbq since recieving my book. The information and techniques are very sound and taught me things that I would never have know as a beginner. I believe the book has help me to shave years of trial and error from my learning. I am also enjoying all the different recipes on sauces, rubs, marinades, meats and the side dishes. The "Zesty" backyard Beans are awesome.

My smoked fish products have improved greatly, since learning about the important steps to take before smoking your seafood.


I would recommend this book to all beginners and newbie's of this cookikng method. You can't go wrong!

Since getting excited about smoking and BBQueing, I have picked up 8 to 10 different books. This book is by far the best. It goes straight to the point, is clear and easily understood, and does not try to be cute or folksie.

The recipies are tasty, but the organization of the sub recepies are a bit cumbersome; not enough to detract from the excellent reference that the book represents.

Basic explainations of the "how to" are matched with the "why to" giving the reader the foundations to grow their understanding of what works when.

This book is a super reference book to have on your shelf...the recipes have been terrific across the board...I even e-mailed the author and he answered back with advice...it's a BBQ book to buy and there's not many I'd say that about...enjoy!

I cannot say enough about this book. It is not your typical cookbook. It is definitely not your typical bbq book. This book focuses on Smoking. The science of smoking, the technical aspects of smoking, the hobby of smoking, how to smoke, different woods, different grills (yes, even how to use your gas grill as a smoker), and of course tried and true recipes.
This book will introduce your into the world of smoking, for me it was a book that has taken me to a new level of smoking. I am the envy of the block. It is easy to follow. I understand better now why the flavors turn out the way they do, how to repeat good batches and how best to test new ideas. This book focuses on the technology and science behind smoking. This is the how to and bible on smoking. And Chef McPeake proves he is truly the master of his craft.
I would also recommend purchasing the rubs right from his site. That saved me a lot of time of making my own batch, plus his are award winning and tasty. In reference to the other review "Very basic instructions and recipes can be found in Weber, BBQ University or just about any BBQ book." I have not found anything in weber or other BBQ books that address the hobby of smoking like Chef McPeake's book. Also, his recipes are original and tasty and not tested on a grill but through smoking techniques (I have tried many successfully).
So if you want a sure proof no nonsense way of learning about using a smoker or to take your game to a whole new level this book is for you. (I also use it to impress my friends and show up the other smokers I know).

Not a good first book for smokers; this book provides precious little information for the beginning smoker. While the author starts off with basic information, he quickly skips to advanced recipes. There are very few basic recipes for the beginner found on these pages. I also find the author to be a bit jaded and unwilling to accept any methods of cooking other than his own.
If you're a curious cook who likes to start with some basic guidelines and go from there, this book is not for you. If you are an experienced smoker looking to pick up a few new recipes, you may benefit from this book.

I thought I knew how to smoke, but it turns out I'm just a country bumpkin. The techniques Chef Richard uses create a product that are far tastier than I ever did alone. His recipes are definitely winners for my friends and I. I'm getting (or have gotten already) this book for my relatives and friends.