Walked into a BBQ joint in Austin and saw the pitmaster using a leaf blower on his coals

I was at Franklin Barbecue last Saturday and the guy running the pit actually pulled out a gas leaf blower to stoke the fire under the brisket. Caught me totally off guard because these guys are supposed to be purists about everything else they do. Has anyone else seen pros use weird tools like that in a competition or restaurant setting?

2 comments

2 Comments

johnflores1mo ago

Is it possible the leaf blower isn't about being lazy but about controlling airflow differently than a bellows can? A quick burst of clean air from a blower can kick up a deep bed of coals evenly without stirring up ash the same way a metal rod does. It might look weird but it could actually save them from burning their hands and keep the fire cleaner.

the_rowan1mo ago

Pull out the leaf blower at your next camping trip and watch everyone's heads spin. Next thing you know someone's gonna ask if you're trying to launch the campfire into orbit. But hey, if it works it works. Just hope nobody catches you using the same tool to clear the driveway before you went camping. That's when they start asking questions about your life choices.