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How we cook

BBQ tips, as questions and answers.

What the team gets asked at the pit, answered the way they answer it. The temperature guide is at the foot of the page.

The team's answers

At the pit

Which pork ribs should I buy?

The Four Saucemen use Wichita ribs, the brand the team used at Meatstock 2018 to win first place. Swift Ribs, Prairie Fresh Meats, Freedom Farms NZ and US pork are the others on the team's list. We are spoilt for choice with many incredible New Zealand butchers processing quality NZ produce.

How do I prepare pork ribs?

Remove the thin membrane on the bone side of the rib. The team uses olive oil as the binder, then applies The Four Saucemen Pork Rib Rub 30 minutes before cooking.

How long do I cook ribs?

It depends on the size of the rack. The team cooks on a Big Green Egg, holding 121°C with pohutukawa chunks as the smoke, and smokes the ribs for 2 to 2.5 hours. Foil wrap when you are satisfied with the colour, cook another hour and check for doneness: the bone tips should be exposed. Finish with your favourite sauce on the grill to set it.

Which chicken?

Waitoa. The team uses Waitoa chickens and collaborates with them on The Four Saucemen flavours. Free-range, because it just tastes better.

Which lamb?

The team exclusively uses lamb from Home Grown Farm Fresh Meats, for competition and at home. Ali and Dion raise it in the Wairarapa: naturally farmed, ethically raised lamb and beef. Know your farmer, know your food. They deliver nationwide.

Which beef?

First Light beef, Pure South NZ and independent growers. There are many great beef suppliers in New Zealand: work with your local butcher and ask lots of questions.

Which pork for pulled pork?

The Aussie Butcher has a great selection of NZ pork, always fresh and, in the team's word, porky. If pulled pork is your thing, grab a 5 kg plus Boston butt. Seriously good stuff.

Which BBQ should I buy?

Charcoal and wood fired. There, they said it. BBQs and More have showrooms in Auckland, Hamilton and Mt Maunganui, from a Weber charcoal series to Texan-built offsets. At home the team prefers Big Green Eggs: easy to light, hold a great temperature, very fuel efficient. You can grill a steak, roast a chicken, bake bread, cook a pizza, or win a competition category, which they did. For competition they run an Octopit Multi Q and home-made drum smokers.

How do I cope with the envy of my friends around the BBQ?

Your friends will stop inviting you to their BBQs now that you are a fully fledged pitmaster. Do not worry: your true friends will buy you beer and ask you to cook for them.

What is the best internal temperature for cooking meat?

The guide below, in Celsius. Use a fast probe thermometer, and remember the meat keeps cooking after it comes off the heat, so pull it a few degrees early and let it rest.

When it is done

Internal temperature guide

Safe minimums and the doneness people actually want, in Celsius. Pull a few degrees early; the temperature climbs as it rests.

Beef and steak

Rare49 to 52°C
Medium-rare54 to 57°C
Medium60 to 63°C
Medium-well66 to 68°C
Well done71°C and above

Lamb

Rare57°C
Medium-rare60 to 66°C
Medium71°C
Well done74°C and above

Poultry

Chicken74 to 80°C
Turkey74 to 80°C
Ground poultry74°C

Pork

Pork63°C
Ham, fully cooked, to reheat60°C
Pulled pork and ribs, for tenderness90 to 95°C

Everything else

Ground meat71°C
Fish and shellfish63°C
Eggs and egg dishes71°C
Casseroles71°C
Stuffing74°C
Reheated leftovers74°C
Holding cooked food60°C

The one tool

Digital Meat Thermometer

Every recipe here is written to an internal temperature. This is how you know.

See it →

Put it to use

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