Cedric Rollins doesnât rely on a temperature gauge on his smokers. Instead, the Elkhart pitmaster determines the temperature of his barbecue simply by touch and sight.
âI feel my smoker, I see how much smoke is seeping out and how fast itâs seeping out,ââ he said. âAnd I just know how the cooking is going.â
Learning how to smoke barbecue is somewhat of a family affair with Rollins initially learning the trade from his father. Beginning in 2008, the duo would temporarily set up in the parking lot at Advance Auto Parts along Cassopolis Street and, in 2014, Rollins took over full time once his father moved from the area.