Grilling Rules, According to Barbecue Legend Rodney Scott

If you know barbecue, you’ve likely heard of Rodney Scott and his famous pit-cooked meats. And even if you don’t, all you need to know is this: Scott cooked his first hog at the age of 11 and he’s never looked back. With decades of experience and six locations of Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ spanning South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, and soon to be Tennessee, this man is a bonafide barbecue expert. Here are his three rules of the home grill:

1. Food safety first. Don’t leave anything out too long. Stay mindful of what you’re doing as you handle it. There are gauges and thermometers for a reason.

2. Don’t grill too close to the house and walk away. Things can happen [Strong can attest to this: His family’s roadside barbecue spot in Hemingway, South Carolina, burned to the ground in 2014 and his Charleston location had a pit fire in 2017.] I like to make sure the grill is away from the house. If it is close, get a grill mat to avoid sparks getting on the floor boards.

3. Have fun. Don’t let the pressure of that critical visitor steal the joy out of what you’re preparing. You’ve got your music going, you’re outside grilling, you’re having fun. Even if you’re burning it, it’s fun—just add extra sauce.