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Oil Under Rub Or On Top?

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    Oil Under Rub Or On Top?

    I like to apply a rub directly to the meat and THEN apply the oil, which for me is usually Pam. My "thinking" is that the oil is a barrier when applied first and thus will reduce rub contact on the meat, while an after coat of Pam will promote rub adherence. I may be all wet.

    Your thoughts?

    #2
    I am the same way. I apply rub then oil. I’ve been on a kick of basting things with beef tallow here lately. I like the way it’s going so far.

    Comment


    • bbqLuv
      bbqLuv commented
      Editing a comment
      Basting with Beef tallow, I just have been using it in a skillet.
      Do you use it on beef and other meats

    • RichieB
      RichieB commented
      Editing a comment
      bbqLuv everything. I use in skillet too. For the most part oil is secondary. It could be me, It tastes better. Doing eggs, pancakes, french toast? Tallow it is.

    • Oak Smoke
      Oak Smoke commented
      Editing a comment
      I actually bast steaks and pork chops on the grill and the charbroiler. The flair ups that creates and resulting smoke and charring add wonderful flavor. On the char broiler the drippings fall onto hot rocks and give a lean pork chop much the same surface flavor as a steak dripping its natural fat. A leaner steak gets the same benefit. We have our hamburger ground to what is supposed to be 80-20 but it always seems leaner than that. I’ve just basted burgers once, it seemed to make a difference.

    #3
    I don’t apply any oil.

    Comment


    #4
    I believe Meathead advises water then rub. That's what I do, anyway.

    Comment


      #5
      I would think doing the oil first, would help the rub stick better? I know when I do pork shoulder, I typically lay down a layer of mustard, then coat it with rub.

      Anyone ever mix the spices with the oil, then rub it all down? Wonder what that would do... or if it would make a noticeable difference...

      Comment


      • barelfly
        barelfly commented
        Editing a comment
        I’ve done this for different cooks, mainly pork (crown roast) or whole chickens with an herb style rub that has fresh chopped garlic. Comes out great!

      #6
      If I wuz gonna apply oil, I think I'd saute some garlic in the oil, and maybe some onions too.

      Comment


        #7
        My thoughts are that whatever you use for a binder (if any) (water, oil, mustard, mayo, hot sauce, etc) you would apply that before the rub. Applying the binder after the rub would tend to wash away (unseat) some of the rub and the purpose of a binder, of course, is to keep the rub adhered to the meat... As always: YMMV

        Comment


        • Duanessmokedmeats
          Duanessmokedmeats commented
          Editing a comment
          Same here.

        • HawkerXP
          HawkerXP commented
          Editing a comment
          +2

        • briano52
          briano52 commented
          Editing a comment
          Me too. I have always applied oil, water, tallow, mustard and the like before the dry rub on the assumption that they would act as binder/glue to make the dry rub stick to the meat. I have experimented with using no binder. It kinda works but only if the meat is moist enough to help the dry rub stick. If not, my rub tends to fall off the meat. I haven't really tried to put on a rub followed by the moist binder. I have assumed that not enough dry rub would stick around (pun intended) to work.

        #8
        I have been using olive oil before rub on chicken. Seems to cook the skin better at higher heat, 350-400 degrees.

        I use the binders first. Rub seems to stick better.

        Comment


          #9
          I only use oil if I am searing something and don’t want to burn the rub so I place it on top of the rub.

          I don’t see the point of using oil for smoking.

          I use a little bit of water as a binder most of the time.

          Comment


            #10
            I use a binder for the rub. Rub on top of the binder. Can be water, oil or mustard. I have tried them all, and the choice of binder doesn't seem to affect flavor much. But, with no binder, the rub seems to fall off more and the bark may not be as good.

            I have recently acquired a rotisserie basket. I have been doing chicken wings and legs in it. A binder before the rub is essential in the basket. With no binder, the rub quickly falls off the meat. I am liking the basket.

            I have learned a couple of things. First, use a binder and a lot of rub as you will lose rub in the cook from the tumbling of the basket.

            Cook to a little higher internal meat temp than you would normally for chicken to get some more crispy skin. Even at 175 internal temp, the meat will still be moist as it seems to self bast in the rotisserie basket.

            Before the going on the fire, spray your basket with PAM or other cooking spray. This will make the after-cooking clean-up of the basket a whole lot easier. I like a shiny clean looking basket. It is easy to maintain that by use of the spray. After the cook, soak your basket in hot water and Dawn detergent. It will the clean-up with a stiff brush.

            I maintain the Weber kettle temp (lid on) with rotisserie at about 375-400 per the thermometer on the top of the lid. Seems high, but this will crisp up the skin a little better than a lower temp. Wings and legs will be done in 20-30 minutes. A really nice and easy cook.

            Comment


            • LegoMySearwood
              LegoMySearwood commented
              Editing a comment
              I also just purchased a basket. Not for wings (although I will try it) but for veggies. There are not a lot of recipes out there for the basket. Have you used it for stuff other than meat?

            • Willy
              Willy commented
              Editing a comment
              Ace Try a clamping basket" https://www.temu.com/ul/kuiper/un9.h...id=18842018391
              Last edited by Willy; March 19, 2026, 10:11 AM.

            • briano52
              briano52 commented
              Editing a comment
              I use the basket made by Napoleon. It seems to be easier to clean than the flat ones. It is kind of a long rounded basket.

            #11
            The reason I asked this question is because Dean Fearing (on BBQ Stars) puts avocado oil on his "Back Yard BBQ chicken" before applying his rub. I often apply Pam after applying the rub, mostly for its help in preventing the meat/veg from sticking to the grill, but I also believe it helps the rub adhere. Using Pam also means no extra utensil clean-up.

            Comment


            • Willy
              Willy commented
              Editing a comment
              xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
              Last edited by Willy; March 19, 2026, 06:13 PM.

            • Ace
              Ace commented
              Editing a comment
              Sorry Willy
              What I was trying to say was:
              "full steam ahead"
              "fire up your cooker and have a great cook"
              "cook it how you and your guests like it"
              etc, etc.

              Sorry for any confusion as I meant no disrespect. 😊
              Last edited by Ace; March 19, 2026, 12:14 PM.

            • Willy
              Willy commented
              Editing a comment
              Ace I have no idea how my post got doubled. No worries, I did not take your post to be offensive.

            #12
            Do you rub the Oil in when applying after the rub?

            Comment


            • Willy
              Willy commented
              Editing a comment
              I don't use oil, just Pam sometimes post rub. Dunno how others do it.

            • STEbbq
              STEbbq commented
              Editing a comment
              I have a little silicone brush.

            • Willy
              Willy commented
              Editing a comment
              I use Pam post rub.

            #13
            The only time I use oil its usually been BEFORE applying a rub, and it is usually olive oil - either brushed, rubbed or sprayed. I mostly do it on chicken, as I feel the oil helps with crisping the skin. Sometimes I'll put some olive oil on my steaks, as I feel it helps with the sear. For smoked meats like butts or brisket, no oil - just the rub, and if the surface is dry, a binder such as water or yellow mustard, just to help the rub stick.

            Comment


              #14
              I agree. Oil is a barrier. I use water to help adhere the rub to the meat doesn’t change the flavor

              Comment


                #15
                Use fully synthetic dexos1

                Comment

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