@bbqfriend

Joe DiApice

Long Island Roots to Carolina Smokes

Meet Joe DiApice: The BBQ Enthusiast Bringing Heart to Every Dish

Joe DiApice, avid backyard barbeque enthusiast and foodie, comes from Long Island New York residing in Monroe, North Carolina. He is your above average Italian Joe who has now embraced the Carolina country life with his wife Kaiti and daughter Natalie. Joe has become engrossed in the art of cooking from simple kitchen recipes to more detailed and niche smoker cuisine, putting love into every recipe he makes.

Hometown:: Monroe, NC
Favorite Recipe:: Hands down its pulled pork. You can do so much with it and pack in a ton of flavor
Fun Fact:: I work for Ford Performance Racing as my 9-5
Favorite Activity:: I love coaching my daughters softball team

FAVORITE GRILL

Masterbuilt Product of Choice

AutoIgnite™ Series 545

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An open AutoIgnite Grill and Smoker. Cheeseburgers and sausages grill on the main cooking grate. 2 hamburger buns toast on the warming rack, and 2 skewers rest on the QuickSear hopper cast iron griddle plate. A wooden cutting board with lettuce leaves, sliced tomatoes, and grilled sliced onions is on the left side shelf.

Mastering the Grill: Q&A with Joe DiApice

What inspired you to start barbecuing, and how did you get started?: I started barbecuing in 2020 during the COVID isolations. For Father’s Day, I decided to make ribs on a Weber propane grill. After hours of dropping wood chips into a tiny smoker box, I cranked up the heat to char the ribs. I stepped inside briefly, and when I returned, the entire grill was on fire, and the ribs were burnt to charcoal. With my family over for dinner, I was embarrassed and vowed never to let that happen again. That moment sparked my goal to become the best backyard BBQer I could be.
How long have you been barbecuing?: I’ve been barbecuing since 2020, so about four years now.
What advice would you give to someone new to grilling?: Temperature is king. Always cook to temperature, not time. Be patient, don’t rush, and enjoy the process - after all, it’s BBQ!
Do you have any advice for a new content creator in the BBQ space?: Focus on mastering the basics and sharing your passion. Consistency and authenticity will set you apart.
What is your favorite grilling technique and why?: Reverse searing a steak is a total game-changer. It locks in smoke and flavor while allowing the meat to slowly cook to the perfect temperature, giving you a consistent wall-to-wall doneness.