BBQ with Franklin PBS Series

[Michael_in_TX]

Wow, from the where-have-I-been-department.....

So, until about two hours ago all I knew about Franklin's BBQ was that it is 200 miles west of me in Austin. I've never eaten there, but I am well aware that it has an insane reputation. I knew nothing of Aaron Franklin himself.

So I stumbled upon the PBS series "BBQ with Franklin" this evening. This is really well-done (as in TV, not steak lol). Aaron Franklin is a natural for video. He goes into a decent amount of detail, and he is dynamic, witty, and quite funny. His style is almost Steven Raichlen plus Alton Brown, in a way.

The series is short -- just ten 20-minute episodes, although there are an addition ten 10-minute "web specials" that were produced that are also available.

The series is here: https://www.pbs.org/show/bbq-franklin/

I know he filmed a MasterClass fairly recently. I may check that out as well, albeit it most certainly is not free.

My only complaint about the series thus far is very minor, and mostly as I taught video production in a previous life....there are some shots that beg for the use of a SteadyCam rig.

[obiQsmoker]

Oh snap - gotta check these out. Thanks for sharing!

[JoeSousa]

I watched those videos many times before I smoked my first big hunk of meat. Very well done and he does a great job in front of the camera. The Masterclass is great as well. I thought it was definitely worth the $90. Some of it is specific to offset smokers but even that info can be adapted for whatever cooker you are using. Great info overall.

[Santamarina]

Franklin is special. His book, A Meat Smoking Manifesto, changed my barbecue life. He writes with such passion that you’ll want to open a barbecue restaurant by the time you finish the book!

[58limited]

If you haven't done so already get his steak book, good info there too.

[RonB]

A fun series for sure.

[parkerj2]

His "Steak" Book is also incredible

Masterclass is worth the $$. Not just for Franklin's episodes, but all of the other incredible chefs.

[Michael_in_TX]

I read a bit of the preview of his steak book on Amazon. That looks really interesting.

[parkerj2]

Michael_in_TX it's a great read. Not really a cookbook, honestly. It really piqued my interested in the cattle industry (horrible). Led me to some really great sources of beef, etc. I could go on, but I've seen that most on here don't really care and stick with garbage beef from inhuman producers. Anyway...read it!!

[Michael_in_TX]

Yeah, I noticed that most of the negative reviews are from those expecting it to be a cookbook. Both of his books are now on my list....only waiting for the Amazon gift cards that invariably come in during the holiday season.

[Jon Liebers]

FYI its all on his youtube channel as well

[Michael_in_TX]

I thought that is what that was at first, too, but it seems his YouTube channel is "web specials." https://www.youtube.com/user/BBQwithFranklin/videos (plus some outtakes and other stuff)

[crazytown3]

+1 on the PBS series, and for Aaron Franklin himself. The series was very well done, and I have watched it several times. Like others have said, Aaron Franklin is a natural in front of the camera. His quirky and kind goofy personality comes through, but you can also tell he takes his craft very seriously.

[parkerj2]

While not taking HIMSELF too seriously. It makes it seem so enjoyable. Which my favorite pitmasters do. Franklin, Rodney Scott, Sam Jones - none of them make it seem like a chore. "classically trained' chefs, on the other hand....(not to mention some of the competition BBQ guys and their massive egos)

[crazytown3]

"Legacy BBQ" as my friend calls them, tend to take themselves waaaay too seriously sometimes.

[tbob4]

I enjoy watching Aaron Franklin and Steve Raichlen. Both almost have a Bob Ross style to them. I can’t paint a lick but I know if I buy Titanium White, a brush and canvas (and put a squirrel on my shoulder), I might end up with beautiful mountains and waterfalls. With Franklin and Raichen, I just need protein, salt, pepper and heat. Everything will be delicious.

[LDimick]

I think your impression is the same as mine. Raichlen does a great job but his style seems to be more about unique flavors or dishes than it is about the meat. Franklin is all about the meat. I find myself somewhere in the middle. Franklin tends to cook hotter than I do but I am not trying to feed hundreds of people every day.

I would really love to find a good show or series of shows on developing rubs and flavors instead of regurgitated recipes. I want to understand the why not just the how.

[58limited]

I have watched his series several times and I have both books. Learned a lot from Aaron. Then I joined the Pit and I've learned even more. I've had Franklin BBQ once and it was great.

[Reds Fan 5]

The Franklin PBS series is terrific. The brisket episode with John Markus one of the best cooking show episodes I’ve ever seen.

Raichlen’s evolution is interesting to watch. His early shows and books are about front searing, measuring doneness by time and feel. Now he promotes reverse sear and thermometers. I’ve posted elsewhere in this forum that Raichlen’s older recipes made with Meathead’s techniques are a great combination.

[tbob4]

Great observation.

[klflowers]

So I was looking at this thread, and I put the Meat Smoking Manifesto in a google search and clicked the first link that came up. It was a link to Ebay selling the book, and I was kind of surprised when I scrolled down to the frequently bought together part of the page.



Aaron, Meathead and... Her???

[fzxdoc]

Hmmm...somebody got creative...

K.