Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 207: Craig Verhage, David Ellis

<p>The open-fire cooking season officially is launching into high gear as we hit mid-April. For those backyard cooks wondering what type of charcoal - hardwood lump, briquette or pellets - are best for them, check out our conversation with Craig Verhage. Known as “The BBQ Ninja,” Craig offers some advice and also tells us what’s new in the world of Royal Oak Charcoal, where he is marketing director and lead brand ambassador. It looks like another strong year for Team Royal Oak, whose roster of pitmasters captured Team of the Year honors in seven sanctioning bodies in 2023. Craig also previews some big events on his calendar, including Memphis in May which is closing fast. It’s always a pleasure to talk BBQ with Craig, one of the most-knowledgeable and enthusiastic folks in cooking.</p> <p>While Memphis is May is nearing, so is Minnesota in May. Sixty Masters' Series teams plus a good crop of Backyard teams are expected to fire it up in the premier KCBS competition in the northern United States next month and David Ellis, from one of Minnesota’s top pro teams, gives us a preview. Machete Boys BBQ out of Minneapolis has become a force on the KCBS circuit, winning its first two career Grand Championships in a span of three weeks last fall. David says Machete Boys BBQ is shooting for bigger and better in 2023 and he gives us a rundown.</p> <p>Meanwhile, it was a busy week of cooking for co-hosts Lyndal and Steve and they recap what was on the menu and what might be next on the smoker while also recapping the competition news of the last week.</p> <p>Thanks to all our sponsors and marketing partners for making the show possible: <br /> Blues Hog #blueshognation<br /> Royal Oak Charcoal #teamroyaloak2023<br /> The Butcher Shoppe #alwayshandpicked <br /> Iowa BBQ Store #iowacornercookers<br /> Clark Crew BBQ #clarkcrew<br /> Proud Souls BBQ Kansas City #proudsoulsbbqkc #kingdomofq #proudsoulsbarbecueandprovisions<br /> Randy Vanslyke and Pro Technology Solutions<br /> Affordable Financial Services<br /> Allquedup #arkas