Poppa Smoke BBQ

Poppa Smoke BBQ Smoking meat, and creating dishes

Last welding class is coming up so we are doing a pot luck. Decided to bring the smoke to class. This will be the cowb...
05/23/2026

Last welding class is coming up so we are doing a pot luck. Decided to bring the smoke to class. This will be the cowboy mac n cheese. Using different rub this time but still bring Mike's Hot Honey in for the binder. More to come....

3 days. Prepping, packing, welding, cutting, cleaning and bending. So close but not enough. MIG certification attempt...
05/14/2026

3 days. Prepping, packing, welding, cutting, cleaning and bending. So close but not enough. MIG certification attempt #2 in the books. Fail small or fail big, it isn't a fail if you don't learn. May not be walking out with a certification, but with the knowledge I k ow what I am doing. Exhausted? Yes. Aggravated? Hell yes! Defeated? Not on your life. I walked into this school 5 months ago with no experience. I have burned myself, cut myself, and wrecked my body learing this skill. Its mine, and I will get certified. Just need a bit more time. Even as defeating as this experience feels, I am not done. Just watch.

This is what total frustration, aggrevation and exhausted looks like. To get so close and miss it by fractions. 3 days...
05/14/2026

This is what total frustration, aggrevation and exhausted looks like. To get so close and miss it by fractions. 3 days of prepping, welding, cooling, cutting cleaning and bending for it to fail.

This was my second attempt and it was much better than the first but this MIG certification is just outside my grasp. 9 days of school left and I need to figure out the next move.

Just finished my first attempt at a pad weld with the MIG. Much smoother than stick welding. Talk about a confidence b...
03/27/2026

Just finished my first attempt at a pad weld with the MIG. Much smoother than stick welding. Talk about a confidence boost!

So I stepped away for a while. Big things taking place. Decided to get down and get into the trades. Enrolled in weld...
01/31/2026

So I stepped away for a while. Big things taking place. Decided to get down and get into the trades. Enrolled in welding school. Getting down and getting dirty. I had to step away from the smoker for a bit to focus on this but Poppa Smoke is adding something else to his bbq. Can anyone say Poppa Smoke Smokers??
Seriously, this is a labor of love. I am enjoying it and looking forward to where this takes me. Who said you can't go back to school at 51? This guy is doing it and I cant wait to show you where this goes.

Been out for a bit with a post soon to show what I have been up to. Nothing beats good Ole chili. Ground bison, groun...
01/31/2026

Been out for a bit with a post soon to show what I have been up to. Nothing beats good Ole chili. Ground bison, ground pork and brisket mixed with green chilies whole tomatoes and hotel tomatoes. 2 good ole reliable banquets to help thin the mix. Added a bunch of seasoning. Yes the bison and pork was smoked in the smoker before adding it all together. Let's do this!!

Drumsticks are done!!! Garlic citrus dry rub and Chipotle raspberry for the wet. All kinds of tasty!!
03/31/2025

Drumsticks are done!!! Garlic citrus dry rub and Chipotle raspberry for the wet. All kinds of tasty!!

So I wrapped up the pasta dish. Took yellow onion, garlic and some chopped up smoke bacon and slowly cooked in the pot....
03/30/2025

So I wrapped up the pasta dish. Took yellow onion, garlic and some chopped up smoke bacon and slowly cooked in the pot. Added the sliced sweet Italian sausage got it all to temp. Added the sauce and pasta and tada.... nice comfort meal for dinner.

Getting back to basics. Got the smoker set up at the new house. Time to work the skills! Smoked 2 lbs of applewood ...
03/30/2025

Getting back to basics. Got the smoker set up at the new house. Time to work the skills! Smoked 2 lbs of applewood bacon with a portion seasoned with the sweet and savory. 8 sweet Italian sausages (will be used in a pasta dish) and then about a dozen drumsticks. Did half dry and the other half with a wet. When the chicken. Is done will post a follow up. Nothing is better than mid 70s weather, sunny skies, good smoke and tasty meat. It's good to be alive!

If you are in the Apache Junction or Mesa area and you see this couple, stop and get whatever they got cooking! Great ...
03/29/2025

If you are in the Apache Junction or Mesa area and you see this couple, stop and get whatever they got cooking! Great flavor and a true passion for smoked meat. Stop and see them, follow them and support your local foods!

Address

Tucson, AZ

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Poppa Smoke BBQ posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category