Barbecue Grilling Tips

“Keep it hot, keep it clean and keep it lubricated,” that was the mantra chanted by grilling authority and PBS TV host Steven Raichlen while teaching Barbecue University at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Over three smoking-hot days, Barbecue University students learned the difference between barbecue and grilling, direct and indirect grilling and too many barbecue grilling tips to recount.

Barbecue at The Broadmoor

When I say “smoking-hot days” I’m referring to the chimney starters on the rows and rows of barbecue grills at The Broadmoor’s Cheyenne Lodge. The weather at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado could not have been better. This was my first visit to Colorado Springs and The Broadmoor Hotel and I am now a BBQU (Barbecue University) groupie. I have sipped the Kool-aid (flavorful Trivento wines were served at this three day event), tasted the barbecue sauce and licked my plate clean. I am not proud of my behavior, but I did pass Steven Raichlen’s Great American Barbecue Quiz and I have my graduation certificate to prove it!

Barbecue University attracts barbecue aficionados

There’s no denying that there were some serious barbecue aficionados in attendance at Barbecue University. I know a Weber gas barbecue from a Little Chief Smoker (we have both brands at our home in California) but I’m not yet able to sing the praises of a “Big Green Egg” for making smoked apple crisp with candied bacon or rave about Trager’s Pellet Grill for producing the ideal cherry-glazed baby back ribs with cherry barbecue sauce – a few of the many innovative recipes we received in our Barbecue University binder, along with our Barbecue University apron and rubber ducky.

If you love grilling, learning new recipes, spending time bonding as a father and son or simply enjoy sharing gourmet meals with 50+ new friends, you’ll love attending Barbecue University at The Broadmoor. It’s also the ideal place to test drive a Japanese smoker, Brazilian rotisserie, Indian tandoor or Weber Ranch – among many others – before laying out the big bucks for some fine piece of equipment delivered to your backyard.

I interacted with a lovely Southern doctor from Tennessee, (she’s been coming to BBQU for over 10 years) an engineering couple from Utah who traveled to Colorado Springs with their dogs (The Broadmoor is very dog-friendly) and a multi-generational family from Florida who love to cook together. I also saw several San Francisco bay area couples who didn’t expect their wives to get so excited about learning new barbecue recipes and grilling tips. Believe me, you will be the sought out neighbor at the pot luck gathering or head honcho at your next tailgate with your Barbecue University degree.

Barbecue University at The Broadmoor package

Barbecue University is a popular dining package at The Broadmoor. The three day, three night interactive grilling course is open to guests with no prior grilling experience (that would be me) to those who know the difference between lump charcoal and briquettes or can spot a Fire Magic Echelon gas supergrill compared to a Horizon offset barrel smoker…you know who you are.

Afternoons are open to enjoy The Broadmoor’s Spa, one of several golf courses on property, go horseback riding in the Pike National Forest or hike around the Gardens of the Gods.

Barbecue University at The Broadmoor packages start at $2,100. for three nights based on double-occupancy. Check the website for current pricing and dates.

Insider Tip
For additional insider tips follow Luxury Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown on Twitter @nancydbrown as well as @Sraichlen and @TheBroadmoor on Twitter for future Barbecue University information.

If You Go:
Barbecue University with Steven Raichlen (855) 634-7711
The Broadmoor
1 Lake Avenue
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80906

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Article, video and photos by Rookie Grill Master Nancy D. Brown. I was a guest of The Broadmoor for review purposes. All opinions are my own.