About Us

Stoking the Coals isn’t just a name — it’s a calling.

It’s about honoring the process, celebrating the fire, and sharing the kind of slow-cooked wisdom that turns regular folks into backyard legends. Through product reviews, seasoning and sauce tastings, behind-the-scenes content, recipes, and a heavy dose of fire-side know-how, Michael’s here to help you keep your flame lit.

Come Sit by the fire

Here at Stoking the Coals, you’ll find more than rubs and gear. You’ll find a community.

We welcome all kinds — gas or charcoal, pellet or stick-burner — because this flame’s big enough for everyone. Michael’s here to guide, inspire, and help you find your groove, no matter where you’re starting from.

So pull up a chair. The coals are hot.  The stories are real,  And the table’s always got room for one more.

Let’s stoke the fire together.

This isn’t just BBQ.

It’s a way of life.

About Michael McDearman

Founder of Stoking the Coals

BBQ Man. Fire Starter. Flavor Enhancer.

If you’ve ever wandered into the sweet smoke of a backyard cookout and thought, “Now that’s what life oughta taste like,” then you already understand a little something about Michael McDearman’s BBQ story.

Born and raised in Tennessee hill country on the Cumberland Plateau, Michael’s life has always revolved around food, fire, and friendship. He’s not just a pitmaster — he’s a storyteller with smoke, a teacher with tongs, and a man who’s spent the better part of 20 years fanning the flames of BBQ greatness.

Built by the Fire

Michael’s BBQ roots run deep — all the way back to red clay and hardwood smoke. As a kid, he was already being inspired by Competition BBQ legends and influenced by KCBS trailblazer Tony Stone. While other kids were chasing fastballs, Michael was chasing flavor — tending fires, tweaking rubs, and feeding everybody in shouting distance. Whether it was the weeks spent with his MawMaw or the times his father was grilling up Sunday dinners, to the food for college house parties.

Been There. Cooked That.

He’s cooked with — and against — some of the best in the game. He’s hit the national stage on shows like BBQ Pitmasters, judged at the World Food Championships, and trained a few world champs along the way.

From festival demos and competition cook-offs to representing brands like Sam’s Club, Beef. It’s what’s for dinner., and over 50 bbq corporations, Michael’s not just from the BBQ business — he’s truly in it.

Flavors, Fire & Friendship

Whether it’s a Creole mustard pork loin kissed by smoke or a slab of ribs that pulls clean with a smile, Michael’s food tells stories. Stories about Sunday suppers, tailgate weekends, and front porch hangs that go long into the night when the good bourbon comes out.

This isn’t about showing off — it’s about showing up. With great food, good people, and a fire that never quits.

The Legendary Myth of Pitmaster Cole Burnitt

Mythic. Mysterious. Master of the Flame.

Cole Burnitt is the fabled pitmaster whose legend burns bright in our stories—but let’s be honest, he’s folklore. That said? His advice on smoke, seasoning, and standing by the fire? It’s the real deal. Consider him our storytelling spirit—telling truths through tall tales.

Cole didn’t just chase smoke rings—he practically invented them… or so the stories say. He’s the guy who can turn a forgotten ember into a symphony of flavor. But even legends can teach—and he’s got plenty to pass along.

Follow Along

Want more tips, tricks, and behind-the-scenes fire?

Follow Michael on all socials:

Instagram, YouTube, Facebook & X → @StokingTheCoals