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Artwork for The Pitmaster's Podcast

The Pitmaster's Podcast

Anthony Lujan
Barbecue
Barbecue Competitions
Brisket
BBQ Competitions
Barbecue Competition
KCBS
Cooking Techniques
Competition Barbecue
SCA
BBQ
SCA (steak Cookoff Association)
Chicken
BBQ Competition
Social Media
Grilling Techniques
Barbecue Techniques
Barbecue Rubs
Competition Cooking
Texas
Traeger

We're BBQ competition enthusiasts who love to share everything about the smoke, the sauce, and the stories behind great barbecue. Each episode, we sit down with top pitmasters, backyard legends, restaurateurs, and more to swap advice, tips, and tall tales from the world of BBQ. Whether you're a seasoned competitor or just love good food and good company, you'll learn something new—and have a few l... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes326Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
FoodArtsHobbiesLeisure

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Pitmaster's Podcast

Latest Episodes

CJ Frazier is a producer, creator, and community leader with a passion for bringing people together through food and storytelling. He has played a key role in building and leading Blackstone's Griddle Crew, growing it into a nationwide community of c... more

A born and raised New Yorker, Ruben Santana is the founder and pitmaster behind Bark Barbecue, one of New York City's most talked-about emerging barbecue concepts. Entirely self-taught, Santana developed his craft through years of experimentation, re... more

I got involved in competition BBQ back in the late 90', cooking with several teams. As a result, I became very interested in building competition smokers. Hence Pit O' Heaven was born. We built trailer mounted smokers from 2000-2004. My oilfield care... more

Kettle Krew was born from a simple, stubborn belief. Jimmy of Bearded Boar BBQ, Rick of 304 Smokehouse, and Brandon The Meat Alchemist had all grown tired of the notion that great barbecue demands expensive smokers and elaborate rigs. They set out to... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Ruben Santana
Founder of Bark Barbecue, Brooklyn-based pitmaster
Bark Barbecue
Episode: Smoke, Soul & Sazón: How Ruben Santana Is Changing American BBQ
Marty Rich
SCA, KCBS competitor; Mental Voodoo Barbecue founder; sponsor representative
SCA, KCBS, Voodoo Roasters Coffee
Episode: 🔥 LIVE TASTING 🔥
Trevor Jensen
KCBS judge and competitor; participant in tasting panel
La Luna Barbecue (KCBS)
Episode: 🔥 LIVE TASTING 🔥
Michael Peterson
SCA competitor;谈 live-fire focus
Kerns, Utah; SCA KCBS
Episode: 🔥 LIVE TASTING 🔥
Christy Vanover
Guest referenced as a TV show participant
Television appearance
Episode: 🔥 LIVE TASTING 🔥
Rusty Monson
OG of the show and founder who started this endeavor
Episode: The Pitmaster Podcast Hall of Fame Selection Show
Susie Bullock
Hey Girl Hey; co-host and influencer
Hey Girl Hey / Traeger brand advocate
Episode: The Pitmaster Podcast Hall of Fame Selection Show
Rooster and Greybeard
TikTok personalities / energy bringers
Episode: The Pitmaster Podcast Hall of Fame Selection Show
Greg Rimpey
Host of Barbecue Central Show; contributor to the BBQ world
Barbecue Central Show
Episode: The Pitmaster Podcast Hall of Fame Selection Show

Hosts

Derek Walls
Host of the show who introduces guests and guides panel discussions
Anthony Luan
Co-host of The Pitmaster Podcast and host of the show, branding and competition insights
Jesse Johnson
Co-host, founder of Pitmaster BBQ Supply Company, and grill/competition expert

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 166 ratings
  • AJ Maudsley Podcast 5/5/23

    While I always enjoy your podcasts, this episode fell off the rails for you guys. It’s apparent the episode didn’t go through any quality control before being posted. The audio really fell off the rails. I’m looking forward to hearing the next episode.

    Rick

    PS…I’m glad you’re much better Pitmasters than recording engineers! 😁

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Rick the BBQ Enthusiast
    United States3 years ago
  • Could be five stars, but..

    I love listening to these guys. It is definitely informative if you’re into competition barbecue, which I am not. I really wish they would change the direction of the show a little bit instead of pure competition . I mean how many people out there are into competition compared to people that just cook in the backyard. I honestly enjoy, just listening to their chatter before the podcast start and generally just delete it after that. Sorry but that’s the truth..

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    hudy95
    United States4 years ago
  • Could be five stars, but..

    I love listening to these guys. It is definitely informative if you’re into competition barbecue, which I am not. I really wish they would change the direction of the show a little bit instead of pure competition .

    I mean how many people out there are into competition compared to people that just cook in the backyard.

    I honestly enjoy, just listening to their chatter before the podcast start and generally just delete it after that. Sorry but that’s the truth..

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    hudy95
    United States4 years ago
  • Awesome Podcast and even better hosts.

    The knowledge and experience that Rusty and Anthony bring to the table is top notch. The featured guests are phenomenal. I love the comp guests but my favorite guests are the guys and gals that have a food trailer/truck. I am traveling that route and I am taking all of the knowledge and mistakes that are mentioned here to help my food truck life start out hopefully flawless, well small flaws are part of the learning curve.

    Keep up the great work and keep the podcasts coming.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    tyewilly
    United States4 years ago
  • Awesome Podcast

    I never miss an episode. Love the interviews, tips-and-tricks along with the updates on what’s happening in the BBQ world. Speaking of updates, any word on the November Backyard down in St. George this year. Love that event, I go every year. As a long time listener, Thank you both for all your hard work putting on the podcast. Keep it up , you two work good together.

    Dave in South Jordan

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    fgh6890
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise banter and camaraderie between hosts while appreciating expert insights from guests.
Shows consistently deliver high-quality content and engaging interviews.
Hosts are knowledgeable and entertaining, with great guests and practical tips for competition BBQ.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#179
United States/Arts/Food
Apple Podcasts
#193
Canada/Arts/Food
Apple Podcasts
#197
Australia/Arts/Food
Apple Podcasts
#168
New Zealand/Arts/Food

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Smoke, Soul & Sazón: How Ruben Santana Is Changing American BBQ
Q: Ruben, welcome to the show. How did you get into barbecue and what led you to start Bark Barbecue in Brooklyn?
Ruben explains that the pivot began during the pandemic with live-fire grilling in the backyard, which evolved into a full-scale restaurant after recognizing demand and opportunities in the neighborhood, particularly around Brooklyn and Queens; the business grew through a combination of family support, smart purchasing, and leveraging his culture-forward approach to flavor.
The Pitmaster Podcast Hall of Fame Selection Show
Q: Who was inducted into the first Hall of Fame?
Rusty Monson was inducted, recognized as the founder and OG who started the show and set the foundation.
Gettin' Basted & Getting Real: Brad Leighninger on BBQ Domination
Q: What should a backyard cook focus on to start competing?
Brad advises starting with repetition and cooking many contests to learn, then gradually refining meat quality, tenderness, and flavor, while not cutting corners on product.
John Lindsey – The Delta Pitmaster Joins The Pitmasters Podcast!
Q: What is your view on bringing your own steak to SCA competitions versus using provided steaks?
Bringing your own steak can be a way to control quality and consistency, but it also depends on the promoter and the format. It can help promoters by reducing their costs, but it may affect payouts and the overall balance of the event. The key is to keep the playing field fair while allowing cooks to showcase their best work; sometimes paying a premium for provided steaks can simplify logistics and maintain competitive integrity.
Pitmasters, family man, entrepreneur, Cam The Pit Man does it all!!
Q: How did you get into barbecue and start BarHart Spice?
I started as a young outdoorsman cooking with family, progressed to competition BBQ in 2020, and after a knee injury and a layoff, launched BarHart branding and Armadillo BOLD with the support of my wife and co-packers, moving from handmade rubs to scalable products.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Pitmaster's Podcast

What is The Pitmaster's Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on barbecue competition culture, hands-on tips for live-fire cooking, and branding stories from seasoned pitmasters, startup founders, and industry insiders. Episodes frequently explore competition strategies, live-fire formats, product development (rubs, sauces, and seasoning brands), sponsorship dynamics, and retail/distribution challenges. Guests range from champions and educators to brand founders, with a recurring emphasis on community, mentorship, and practical, battle-tested guidance for backyard cooks and professional teams alike. A standout is the mix of high-energy banter with real-world, actionable takeaways on branding, judging formats, and launching a product line within a crowded market. For potential listener... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Pitmaster's Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Pitmaster's Podcast:

1. Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast
2. HowToBBQRight
3. The BBQ Central Show
4. BBQ Therapy
5. BBQ RADIO NETWORK

How many episodes of The Pitmaster's Podcast are there?

The Pitmaster's Podcast launched 7 years ago and published 326 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Pitmaster's Podcast?

Recent guests on The Pitmaster's Podcast include:

1. Ruben Santana
2. Marty Rich
3. Trevor Jensen
4. Michael Peterson
5. Christy Vanover
6. Rusty Monson
7. Susie Bullock
8. Rooster and Greybeard

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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