My dad is a truly outstanding barbecue chef. The man lives for smoking meat. Spends all his time watching YouTube videos of meat prep. Does 22 hour cooks on the regular. Has three smokers and a weber grill in the backyard. Buys me new thermometer prongs for nearly every Christmas and birthday. Needless to say, he is passionate. And he’s also just a delightful dude, hilarious dad, all around wonderful human. His birthday is coming up and I want to get him something great. So I come to you experts with a request: what are some can’t-live-without barbecue/smoker accessories or tools you love. Stuff you didn’t realize you needed until you found them. Things that changed your game. I wanna hear ‘em all.
THANK YOU. Also here are some pics of his cooks for dad tax and meat tax (and to make y’all hungry.)
by PeppermintLNNS
37 Comments
Customized apron, engraved tongs, custom serving platters, some unique wood not from the area. Etsy has a lot of options for these things (not the wood).
Something he hasn’t smoked yet might be fun, if he likes reading maybe a book on the history of smoking or something like that
It sounds like he’s probably got some great tools and accessories. Have you considered getting him some high end cuts of meat he’s never tried, or has talked about wanting to try? Maybe something unique? I think anyone into smoking meat would enjoy that type of gift. Just a thought
That man already has everything he needs. Give him a hug.
This wireless thermometer holds up to the fire and the water and doesn’t lose reception. Best one I’ve ever owned. Been smoking meats for about 19 yers now. https://www.thermoworks.com/rfx/
Another bitchin’ sweater
That man is PROUD! Love his work!
Exotic meat. Find something different.
Bison, alligator, emu, camel.
From a gear standpoint maybe wireless probes… or a multipack of spices he either likes or something new. Not sure where you are but I know in Texas we have a few spots that get together and do a BrisketU class. I think they do separate classes for different experience levels but if you think he’d like sharing stories/techniques with others that may be fun. Also Aaron Franklin does a Masterclass series that he may enjoy. [https://www.masterclass.com/classes/aaron-franklin-teaches-texas-style-bbq](https://www.masterclass.com/classes/aaron-franklin-teaches-texas-style-bbq)
give him nothing! say “hey dad, im going to have some friends/family over, and it would be great if you smoked *name ***HIS**** favorite meat to smoke, and just ask when a good time to come over is.
dude is clearly not needing $$ based off you saying how many grills and stuff he has. also dad’s dont want gifts from kids, they want to spend time with kids, and provide, and do their hobbies!!!!
get your siblings and family over there, and secretly invite his “off” friends over, and just have a few brews and let him cook for y’all!!!!
-source, a dad that also loves to cook, although i dont produce results like this man does!!!!
bonus points get a playlist that he likes ready, what age was he 20/when he meet mom if they are still together? play music from that time frame, they will love it!!!!
Cue the haters….if your budget supports it, look at [https://snakeriverfarms.com/products/subscription-box](https://snakeriverfarms.com/products/subscription-box) and find something he would like.
He looks like he’s got it all sorted, maybe this [apron](https://madeincookware.com/products/wrangler-x-made-in-apron) because it’s awesome looks like he could enjoy it.
Maybe a good meat grinder to experiment with making sausages if he doesn’t have one? Add some different size casings
Not sure the budget but get him a wagyu grade piece of his favorite cut, or a super weird cut he doesn’t cook very much. Also, can’t go wrong with an awesome custom cutting board. There are some really talented craftsmen out there thay could make a dope ass one..
A great chair and a blue tooth speaker.
see if you can get him a gift certificate at his favorite place to buy meat
Dude’s a pro. Maybe a new apron?
Maybe a Cambro or Carlisle depending upon how he currently manages his rest (and if he wants to change that up).
Is your dad single or is he adopting or does he need an apprentice? Thank you.
Buy this man some charcoal and wood that he already uses.
As someone that already has pretty much everything I want/need. The only thing I will continue to need are consumables. Don’t buy just any brand, find out exactly what he uses and get it.
Different brands burn differently/have different flavor profiles that he may not like or know how to control as well.
The other consumable is meat! Find a good cut of meat for him!
Order a Snake River Farms wagyu brisket to him
Order a Franklin Barbecue brisket to him
Or:
Buy him an all-expense paid trip to Austin to go to Franklin Barbecue
Continue to take photos. I wish I could go back and take picture of moments when I had the opportunity.
Make him something to hang on the wall, cherishing these moments.
He’s clearly fine and has what he needs. Give him something special. Show him love and appreciation.
How’s his knife? Bluetooth thermometer was a good addition for me.
Picture 10 looks like he Macgruber’ed a table out of a saw horse. Maybe an outdoor prep table?
Ask him to teach you. Spend a day learning (but really it’s just time with him).
I find that when someone has an obsession, it’s actually hard to find a gift for them. Because they probably have some extreme preferences.
I love brewing. Some folks have gotten me brewing gifts. It’s super nice that they’ve gotten me something that’s thoughtful and I only ever express gratitude, but they are products or ingredients I would never use.
So, somtimes a gift card to a vendor is helpful. He can spend it towards something he’s had his eye on for a loooooong time. Some people think gift cards aren’t as thoughtful, but with a nice note, it could be the perfect gift.
That said…a gift card to Home | Snake River Farms – The Pioneers of American Wagyu Beef https://share.google/BCxdOXO8bdEPoGib9 for a nice piece of meat or something could be cool
How’s his knife situation? Every cook loves a new knife. Chefknivestogo always has a nice selection.
I agree with others saying a unique cut of meat would be cool. If he’s adventurous maybe some new rubs/spice blends. Or something like spicewalla if he makes his own.
Amazingribs website has a gift/product recomendation section i believe. Might be worth snooping around there too. Good luck!
Can he adopt me? Don’t really have a dad but I live for the dedication and have an equal obsession with smoking
Probably way beyond price range, but a father son trip to a bbq destination. Pick a famous bbq place and make the arrangements. You could make it more or less elaborate including hotel room, itinerary, airfare, gas for road trip, bbq themed travel book. He gets time with the now-favorite child and possibly new inspiration to reinvigorate his craft at home.
Make a book of those photos and his favourite recipes, quotes about smoking, some facts about how many years or bags of bricks he’s used over the years, other family member’s favourite dish and why, etc. (ask chat gpt for prompts) and get it printed for his friends and other family members. Christmas sorted!
I got a customized apron that I really enjoyed. This is coming from a guy who has grilled/smoked/brewed for 15 years now. I have every tool under the sun but these kind of gifts make my heart swell.
Quality knife that he doesn’t have, or maybe an xl butcher block for slicing?
That ol’ boy has seen a barbecue or two and has obviously mastered this labor of love. It seems like he has everything he could ever need. What about a brand new smoker though? I’ve been doing it for almost 40 years myself, since I was a teenager. I never know what to tell my wife to get me. For father’s day a new smoker was sitting on the porch. I was ecstatic.
[These BBQ Prep Tubs](https://bbqdripez.com/collections/prep-tubs) changed how I BBQ. They are great for storage, Prep, and have a cutting board built in. They fold flat, and have been amazing. I use them in every cook I do.
It looks like he could use a prep/serving tray that is easy to clean and use. Just my opinion. I hope it helps!
I do a lot of cooking and smoking, and things like knives, smokers, and pans are personal. A great knife for me might be a bad fit for him. One of my favorite kitchen gadgets I own though that I think is universal across all styles, chefs, and ergonomics is [the Pepper Cannon](https://mannkitchen.com/products/the-original-pepper-cannon-pepper-mill?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21776606860&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7fvGtbysjgMVSj1ECB0Ccxy_EAAYASAAEgJizPD_BwE).
I know $200 for a pepper mill is steep, but it is the single greatest pepper mill I’ve ever used, and it’s not even close. It’s one of those quiet luxuries I have that looks unassuming, but for those that enjoy cooking (or making dry rubs with freshly ground pepper), it’s an absolute game changer.
A crown. This man is a true King.
go over there and have him teach you, that will probably give him the most enjoyment tbh
I know for me, nothing can beat cooking some Q with my son, especially when we can only see one another a few times a year. Quality time with our loved ones is one of the greatest gifts in life we can have. From those pictures you posted, i feel safe assuming he’d feel the same way.
P.s. smoking 🚬 a good tri tip is always great, but, man, is it difficult getting the end lit 😆 🍻
Dry dad humor