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Backyard SmokeMaster BBQProudly serving BBQ to the Diablo Valley and East Bay Author: Kenyatta T. Robinson
Backyard SmokeMaster BBQ supports the growing community of passionate backyard barbeque enthusiasts who are interested in learning about barbeque cooking techniques, grills, smokers, accessories and delicious recipes. On a whim, host Kenyatta Robinson posted a clip on YouTube after he asked his daughter to film the arrival of his long awaited custom-built 20 offset smoker from Lone Star Grillz. Kenyatta was surprised by the number of questions received about the smoker so he created a follow-up video where he described the features of the stick burner and and explained why he was interested in learning how to make BBQ with one. The video was well received and the channel was born in earnest back in 2018.Since then Kenyatta has amassed a number of other grills and smokers and continues to make videos about them. This podcast is an extension of the YouTube channel and is designed to give listeners another way to share in Kenyattas insights about BBQ. Language: en-us Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Pitmaster-Approved Survival Tips to Beat the Summer Heat While Grilling
Episode 79
Monday, 9 February, 2026
Summer is here in full force, and if you’re serious about your BBQ, the heat is not going to stop you from firing up the smoker. But grilling and smoking in extreme temperatures — we’re talking 90°, 96°, even 100°+ degree days — takes a little extra planning and a lot of common sense. In Episode 79 of the Backyard SmokeMaster BBQ Podcast, we broke down the best pitmaster-approved tips for staying safe, comfortable, and in control of your cook when summer heat is at its peak. Heads up — some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy something through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting Backyard SmokeMaster BBQ! Whether you’re out in the East Bay, battling the humidity of South Florida, surviving Palm Springs, or just making it work wherever you are, these tips will keep you grilling all summer long. 1. Stay Hydrated — This One Is Non-Negotiable The most important rule of summer BBQ? Drink water. Keep a bottle or jug of water right next to your station. A cooler stocked with ice water and sports drinks is even better. While we’re not going to stop you from cracking a cold one (the community made it very clear that “grill master libations are a must”), alcohol alone won’t keep you hydrated during a long cook. Prioritize the water and sports drinks, especially in humid climates where the heat drains your energy faster. 2. Use Cooling Towels (Or Make Your Own) Cooling towels are an underrated piece of summer BBQ gear. You can pick them up at most outdoor or sporting goods stores, and they’re designed to stay cool against your skin for extended periods. No cooling towel on hand? Soak a regular towel in cold water and take it outside with you. It’s a simple fix that makes a real difference during those long cooks. 3. Take Breaks in the Shade Don’t be a hero. If you’re not actively tending the fire, get out of direct sunlight. Set up a chair, stool, or lawn chair in the shade — under a tree, a patio cover, or a canopy. Staying in the sun the entire duration of a brisket or pork butt cook will sap your energy and make the whole experience miserable. A little shade goes a long way. 4. Create a Comfortable Cook Zone This isn’t about two-zone cooking — it’s about a comfortable zone for you. Set up a canopy or patio umbrella near your smoker. Add a standing fan or a battery-powered misting fan (community members had great things to say about the EGO battery-powered misting fan, which uses the same rechargeable batteries as EGO lawn tools). Make your outdoor cook station a place you actually want to be. 5. Control Your Fire — Heat Spikes Are Real When ambient temperatures are already sky-high, your fire can get away from you faster than you expect. Temperature spikes and flare-ups are more common on extremely hot days, so stay vigilant. A couple of tools that help: Water pans — Place them inside your smoker or grill to help stabilize internal temperatures. They act as a heat buffer and can prevent wild swings. Bricks — Especially useful in kamado-style grills and Weber kettles, bricks add thermal mass and help hold steady temperatures. Keep a closer eye on your temps than you normally would, and don’t assume your smoker is going to behave the same way it does on a 65-degree fall day. 6. Position Your Smoker in the Shade (If You Can) Direct sunlight beating down on your smoker adds extra heat to the outside of the cooker, which can affect internal temps and make it harder to maintain consistency. If your smoker is on wheels or easy to move, try to position it in a shaded area before your cook. Even partial shade can help. For those of us with multiple grills and smokers planted in one spot — this one takes a little extra effort, but it’s worth it. 7. Be Flexible With Your Cook Times Meat can cook significantly faster in extreme heat because the ambient temperature is already working in your favor — or against you, depending on how you look at it. Don’t assume the same cook times from your last session are going to hold. Monitor your internal meat temps more frequently and be ready to adjust. The best pitmasters are adaptable, not rigid. 8. Use a Remote Thermometer This is your best friend in the summer heat. Remote thermometers allow you to monitor your cook from inside the house, away from the heat, while your phone does the watching. No more hovering over the pit. A few top picks from the community: ThermoWorks RFX — One of the newer standout options with excellent reliability FireBoard — Another premium choice with robust remote monitoring Combustion Inc. Predictive Thermometer — Features 8 sensors for pinpoint accuracy with no guesswork One hot-weather tip: extreme heat can drain thermometer batteries faster than usual. Always have backup batteries (or a backup thermometer) on hand. 9. Plan Ahead — Your Biggest Competitive Advantage This is the tip that ties everything else together. A spontaneous BBQ on a brutally hot day is a recipe for a rough cook. Instead, think through your entire session in advance: Know what you’re cooking and how long it will take Gather and stage everything you need — tools, seasonings, wood/charcoal, thermometers — before you start Position your cooler, supplies, and gear close to your cook station to minimize trips back and forth between outside and inside Dress appropriately for the heat, but always think safety — wear closed-toe shoes and keep a fire extinguisher nearby The more you plan, the less you’re scrambling in the heat. And the less you’re scrambling, the more you can actually enjoy the cook. 10. Manage the Bugs (Because They Know When You’re Cooking) Summer BBQ means bugs. It never fails. Add bug spray or citronella to your summer cook station setup. And if you want to have a little fun with the flies — the community is a big fan of the salt gun with laser sights. Turning fly patrol into target practice? Honestly, not a bad way to pass the time on a slow smoke. Recap: Summer Grilling Survival Checklist Before your next hot-weather cook, run through this quick checklist: Water and sports drinks in a cooler nearby Cooling towel ready to go Shaded area for breaks (chair or stool set up) Canopy, umbrella, or fan at cook station Battery-powered misting fan (optional but recommended) Water pan or bricks inside smoker for temp stability Smoker positioned in shade if possible Remote thermometer charged and ready (with backup batteries) Bug spray and/or citronella Fire extinguisher accessible Everything staged and planned before you light the fire Summer heat isn’t going to slow down a real pitmaster — but it does require some extra preparation and self-awareness. Protect yourself, manage your fire, and use the tools available to you. Most importantly, stay hydrated and enjoy the cook. Got your own tips for surviving the summer heat on the grill or smoker? Drop them in the comments below — the Backyard SmokeMaster community always has something good to add. Want more BBQ tips and techniques? Join the Backyard SmokeMaster Society, the free BBQ community for backyard cooks who take their ‘cue seriously. New episodes of the Backyard SmokeMaster BBQ Podcast drop every week — find us on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
