Back-to-Basics
Back to Barbecue Basics
Foundational techniques every live-fire cook should master.
Every great griller understands this simple truth: fundamentals matter.
Before the rubs, before the sauces, before the gear upgrades, there’s fire. There’s heat control. There’s timing. There’s knowing when to move fast and when to wait.
Back to Barbecue Basics is where we focus on the techniques that make everything else possible. These are the building blocks of live-fire cooking. Master them once, and you’ll use them for the rest of your life at the grill.
Latest
How to Make Salmon on the Griddle
Master crispy skin and succulent fish with this Wildfire griddle salmon recipe featuring Steven Raichlen’s Mediterranean rub and BBQ glaze.
Level 1: Master the Fire
Before you cook better meat, you need to control the heat. Understanding fire gives you confidence. Everything else builds on this.
- Direct Grilling vs. Reverse Searing
- How to Buy a Grill
- How to Effortlessly Clean Your Grill
- Two-Zone Grilling
Don’t skip this level. Fire control separates guesswork from skill.
Level 2: Understand Heat and Doneness
Once you can control the fire, the next step is understanding how heat moves through food. This is where precision begins.
- 6 Key Temperatures to Know Before You Grill
- Filet Mignon and the Reverse-Sear Method
- How to Cook a Really Thick Steak
- The Ultimate Guide to Reverse-Searing Prime Rib
- The Insider’s Guide to Buying Better Beef
This level is about control: internal temperature, timing, confidence.
Level 3: Apply the Fundamentals
Now you put the techniques to work.
Beef
- How to Trim a Brisket Like a Pro
- Grill Like a Pro: How to Cook a Whole Beef Tenderloin
- How to Grill Tender, Versatile Skirt Steak
- The 10 Essential Secrets to a Perfect Burger
- How to Make a Reuben on a Griddle
Pork
- Back to Basics with Pork Shoulder: Easy and Affordable
- How to Grill the Perfect Rack of Pork Ribs
- How to Cure & Smoke Easter Ham at Home
Poultry
- Perfect Rotisserie Chicken
- Your Guide to Grilling Crispy Chicken Wings
- 9 Strategies for Grilling Moist, Succulent Chicken Breast
- How to Smoke-Roast Your Thanksgiving Turkey
Fish
Level 4: Beyond the Basics
Once you’re comfortable with fire and protein, the grill opens up.
- The World’s Best Mac and Cheese, Cooked on the Grill
- Paella for the First Time in Spain: Cooking Tips for Beginners
- Smoked Cocktails: Simple Tips for the Perfect Party Drink
Because live-fire cooking doesn’t stop at meat.
Why Fundamentals Matter
Trends come and go. Techniques last.
When you understand how to manage heat, when to cook indirect, how to reverse-sear, how to read temperature instead of guessing, everything becomes easier.
You stop chasing recipes and start mastering methods.
Build your foundation. Then build everything else on top of it.
Select installments of Back to Barbecue Basics are presented by Wildfire.
