@fullboarbbq

Jacob Lubbers

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From Farm Life to BBQ Fame

How a Southern Indiana Native Turned Passion into a BBQ Legacy

I grew up on a mall farm in the middle of nowhere Southern Indiana. We raised loads of different animals, grew most of what we ate in our large garden, and hunted/ fished to supplement what we stashed away every year from our annual butcher day.

This was my intro into cooking and bbq. My chore list was not "clean your room." It looked something more like 1. go catch some fish and have them cleaned and ready for dinner tonight 2. dig some potatoes and clean for this weekend 3. feed and water feeder calves in top barn etc.

It was an awesome way to live. Doing farm to table before that was cool to say. It deeply rooted the love and respect I have for food and where it comes from in me.

Outside the farm sports and athletics were and still are a massive part of my life. Being from such a small place mixed with being pretty physically gifted when it comes to certain sports, competition was a way of life. When a one in a million heart defect forced me off the field and court and into an open heart operation room I was pretty crushed.

After living out a few years pretty aimlessly without my sports passion to fall back on I found my way back into the competition world at a local unsanctioned backyard bbq competition. It was there that things took off, we started winning, A LOT, and the competitive juices started flowing again.

I eventually got connected with Masterbuilt and have been using the Gravity Series and multitudes of other products religiously since the first 560 hit the market (I still use that one btw). In the last 12 years or so bbq has taken me to places I never would've even dreamed up before that. I get to travel the country, make radio, podcast, and TV appearances regularly spreading the word and have my products in thousands of stores and online as well.

BBQ has become a defining part of my daily life as a business, hobby, and revenue stream ever since. I love teaching the art to whoever wants the knowledge and am glad to be with a great partner like Masterbuilt.

Hometown:
Knoxville, TN
Favorite Recipe:
My jalepeno honey beef ribs
Fun Fact:
I am 6' 8"
Favorite Activity:
I play all the sports and participate in as many outdoor activities as possible. I play basketball and golf weekly and living in East, TN take full advantage of the beautiful mountains and lakes nearby.

FAVORITE GRILL

Masterbuilt Product of Choice

Mastering Flavor and Versatility with the Gravity Series® 800

I enjoy cooking most on the Masterbuilt gravity series 800. It's versatility with everything from the pizza oven to the included griddle it just makes everything easy. Many of my recipes and cooks involve a reverse sear as well. There is not a better piece of equipment on the market for this type of cook than the gravity series. To be able to take it from low and slow to searing temperatures in just minutes is amazing.

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An example of how the grill would look in an exterior space

Mastering the Grill: Q&A with Jacob Lubbers

What inspired you to start barbecuing, and how did you get started?
Full Boar BBQ started with a group of friends from a small town in Indiana. Growing up, we loved attending the Heimatfest Backyard BBQ competition in Ferdinand, where $3 got you unlimited BBQ samples. One summer after college, we were shocked to see only three teams competing - it was clear the tradition was fading. Out of hometown pride, we formed our own team, practiced hard, and helped revive the event. Winning first place in chicken and second in pulled pork that year sealed the deal - we were hooked, and Full Boar BBQ was born.
How long have you been barbecuing?
We’ve been barbecuing for over a decade now, ever since we started competing in the Heimatfest. It’s been an incredible journey from a small-town tradition to creating our own sauces and seasonings and competing all over.
What advice would you give to someone new to grilling?
Don’t be intimidated by all the fancy recipes and videos you see. Everyone starts somewhere, and those BBQ pros have more failures than viral successes. Start slow and simple, dive in headfirst, and soon you’ll be adding your own twists to classic recipes. Just be warned - you’ll end up being the go-to cook for every event!
Do you have advice for new content creators in the BBQ space?
Stay consistent, be authentic, and focus on what you enjoy cooking. Don’t worry about perfection - share your passion and let your personality shine through.
What is your favorite grilling technique and why?
I love the reverse sear method. It’s the perfect way to break down insoluble fatty tissues for tenderness while keeping the natural fats locked in for juiciness. It also adds a unique textural layer to the meat that’s always a hit.
What’s your favorite recipe to make on the grill?
My jalapeño honey beef ribs and Italian beef hot dogs are favorites. Both combine smoky flavors with a simple braising method to create an explosion of flavor that’s unforgettable