The days are long , the weather is affectionate … prison term to fire up the grill ! In 2015 , we askedMyron Mixon — a.k.a . the victorious man in barbeque , who started cooking with his dad when he was just 9 and has earned more than 1800 trophies in his career — for some tips to facilitate you nab it thisbarbecueseason .

1. Do your research before barbecuing.

Barbecuing is n’t as easy as throwing some heart and soul on a grillroom . “ It is of import to research and empathize the process , ” Mixon said . When he first originate in challenger , he had only trial and error to guide him ; now , there are many avenues available to the beginner BBQ chef . “ There is so much information out there , ” he say . “ Read cookbooks , take course , search the cyberspace , catch show . It will make you a skilful pitmaster . ” It also helps to have a working noesis of your equipment , so do n’t be afraid to read the user ’s manual of arms .

2. Always prep before you barbecue.

“ Prepping is very important in barbecuing , ” Mixon said . It encompasses everything from selecting the cutting off and quality of your inwardness to how you cut up that essence to flavoring your future repast with flavouring and marinades . How well you prep , he say , straightaway interpret to how luscious your repast is : “ Great homework , great barbeque . ”

3. Use a meat thermometer when you barbecue.

A meat thermometer is a must , for one very simple-minded reason : “ The most coarse mistake made in barbecuing is undercooking or overcooking , ” Mixon tell . “ The best cooks use an inner meat thermometer to make trusted the ware is cooked perfectly . ”

4. Pick the right sauce for your meat.

Mixon likes vinegar - based sauces on pork barrel , mustard - establish sauce on poultry , and tomato - based spicy sauce on beef . “ [ head off ] any sauce that ’s so overtake that it masks the natural relish of the meat , ” he monish .

5. Don’t be afraid to experiment with flavors.

“ A small pull to flavors for your barbeque can be as simple as adding puréed unfermented fruit to the sauce before being applied to the meat , ” Mixon say . He recommends things like blueberry , strawberry , and applesauce .

6. Keep your barbecue sides simple.

“ For me , BBQ is a simple food for thought with simple-minded ingredient and the process is easy , ” Mixon said . “ My [ side ] dishes are the same . ” He makes his mom ’s fish coleslaw , which is made of harsh cut cabbage , diced tomatoes and onion , mayonnaise , Strategic Arms Limitation Talks and pepper , and his peach BBQ bean , which he creates using baked edible bean , peach pie fill , and red bell capsicum .

7. And remember, you’re the boss of your barbecue.

The one thing to commend when you ’re arrive at barbecue , Mixon articulate , is to “ always cook and flavor the barbecue the fashion you , the pitmaster , like it . Your grillroom , your yard , your way . ”

A version of this story originally ran in 2015 ; it has been update for 2023 .

Take your barbecue game to the next level this summer.