I got started smoking meat by buying a cheap smoker, reading the instructions and trial and error. And believe me, there have been plenty of errors! Then after a few years of playing around now and then I decided I wanted to improve my smoking and grilling skills and looked around for a class or something nearby.

Fortunately, a simple Google search directed me to a half-day smoking and grilling school in Phoenix. The instructor was a competition pitmaster. A laid back guy with lots of experience. There were probably a dozen of us in the class. That experience really changed my relationship with grills and smokers. It was also the first time I ever saw or heard of a pellet smoker grill.

Nothing will replace actual hands-on learning in person with a pro. But the next best thing is watching videos of a pro as they show and tell their way through the process. YouTube has a lot of BBQ and smoking videos. Some are good and helpful others are…not quite so helpful. They can leave out some important details while spending way too much time rambling about nothing.

Many of you have seen my videos and I’m thankful for every viewer who has stopped by. But when you have the opportunity to watch a master at work, do it. I’m better than I was a few years ago but I’m no master.

Learning how to smoke and grill meats from an award-winning pit boss is something you don’t want to miss. One huge advantage that video offers over live training is the ability to stop-rewind-play or re-watch whenever you want. I learned a lot from that half-day grilling school, but I know I’ve also forgotten a lot too and I have nothing to re-watch. It’s all locked away in my fading memory.

The MasterClass by Aaron Franklin might be the best video series out there on meat smoking. Aaron started out in the backyard like many of us have. Today, he’s a James Beard Award winner and the proud owner of Franklin Barbecue. I hear the wait to get into his restaurant is hours long.

Here’s what you’ll get with Aaron’s MasterClass:

• 16 High Quality Video Lessons
• Learn At Your Own Pace on Mobile, Desktop or Apple TV
• A Downloadable Cookbook
• 100% Satisfaction or 30-Day Money Back Guarantee
• The Class Has An Average Rating of 4.7 out of 5 Stars

The Central Texas barbecue specialist teaches his own low and slow process for mouth-watering ribs, pork butt, and brisket. With perfectly seasoned cuts and just the right temperatures, you’ll learn how to handle an offset smoker, or your Traeger or Pit Boss like a true pitmaster. This is probably one of the best ways to impress your family and friends while irritating your enemies.

Learning by trial and error is certainly one way to go. I’ve done a lot of it and still do. But I’m really glad I took the time to learn from someone who really knew what they were doing. Let’s face it, meats, rubs, and sauces can get expensive over time. Why not invest in learning what works best and shorten the pathway to success with the grill or smoker? You might ending up saving money in the long run!

If you have a meat smoking enthusiast friend or family member, consider giving them the gift of Aaron’s MasterClass. It’ll make an awesome birthday, anniversary or Mother’s Day / Father’s Day gift they’ll remember for years to come.

Check out some other helpful posts and videos:

• What Is the Best Time of Year to Buy A Pellet Smoker Grill?
• Pellet Grill Operating Costs – Are Pellet Grills Expensive to Operate?
• Pit Boss Austin XL Reviews – Actual Owner Review – Video