Breaking in The Beast
There’s something magical about firsts. Your first car. Your first home. Your first big adventure. For us at Jaxon BBQ & Provisions, it was firing up our brand-new flagship smoker for the very first time.
We’d dreamed about this day for months. We designed The Beast from the ground up, watched it take shape in Missouri, hauled it across the country, and finally parked it in its new home. And on this day, it was time to let it breathe fire.
The morning started early, the kind of crisp, golden morning that makes you glad to be alive. The air was still, the sky was painted in soft blues, and the trees surrounding The Beast swayed gently in the breeze. I loaded the firebox, feeling the warm rush of anticipation as oak logs caught flame. Soon, smoke began curling out of the stack; slow, steady, and mesmerizing. It was the kind of smoke you could watch for hours, drifting lazily upward before dissolving into the perfect late-summer sky. The smell of seasoned oak mingled with the rich, savory perfume of brisket and pork ribs beginning their slow journey toward perfection. I checked temps, sipped coffee, and let the day unfold in its own unhurried rhythm. Neighbors stopped by to take a peek, friends leaned on the fence to chat, and all the while the meat sizzled gently inside, soaking up that deep, Texas smoke. I couldn’t help but think that while I was consumed with bliss in this moment, controlled chaos was living and breathing inside The Beast and would soon morph into perfection.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the cook entered its most magical phase. A clear night revealed a sky full of stars, the kind of starry blanket you only see away from city lights. The gentle hiss of the firebox was now joined by the crackle of a nearby bonfire we’d built for the evening. Family and friends gathered around, blankets over their shoulders, telling stories and sharing laughs. Someone broke out the graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows, and before long we were making s’mores under the stars. The sweet smell of toasted marshmallow hung in the air, dancing with the savory smoke still rising from The Beast. It was more than just a cook, it was a reminder of why we do what we do. BBQ isn’t just about meat; it’s about moments. It’s about long, slow days that stretch into even slower nights. It’s about the people you share it with, the fire you gather around, and the stories you’ll tell about it for years to come. When the brisket and ribs finally came off the smoker, they were everything we’d hoped for; tender, smoky, and packed with flavor. But truth be told, the real magic had already happened hours earlier, in the quiet moments with friends and family as The Beast came to life for the very first time.
Here’s to many more cooks like this one. This journey has only just begun.
