Coals flame below a half-moon soapstone installed in a Divide & Conquer rack
Smoken Vine

Michael Perez

Instagram

Pandemic Pivot to Pitmaster

How SmokenVine Turned a Lockdown Hobby into a Full-Blown BBQ Passion

My name is Michael Perez, known as SmokenVine on social media, and my passion for BBQ started in 2020 during the pandemic. Before then, I had little to no cooking experience—we ate out several times a week, and my girlfriend did all the cooking at home. But when the world shut down, I fired up the grill and started cooking everything outside. With nothing but time, I dove deep into learning about BBQ, watching videos, reading, and experimenting. That's when I discovered Kamado Joe. The versatility of being able to smoke, grill, rotisserie, bake, and even make pizza on one unit instantly drew me in. Not long after I got my first Kamado Joe and was hooked. I started my BBQ channel to share my passion for BBQ and wine, and now I cook almost every night, constantly refining my craft and having fun along the way.

Favorite Activity:
Fishing, and Creating/ Recording Music
Fun Fact:
I’m a Sound Engineer for Film & TV
Favorite Recipe:
Pastrami Tri-Tip
Hometown:
San Rafael, CA

FAVORITE GRILL

Favorite Grill

Kamado Joe Product of Choice

My favorite grill is the Kamado Joe Big Joe because the size makes it extremely versatile, and it cooks a perfect brisket every time!

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Kamado Joe Q&A with Michael Perez

What inspired you to start barbecuing? How long have you been doing it?
I got into barbecuing about five years ago during the pandemic. With restaurants closed and nowhere to go, I picked up a grill and started experimenting. One of the first things I ever made was a tri-tip, and that moment—hearing it sizzle over red-hot charcoal and smelling the aroma—completely hooked me. I’ve been chasing that feeling ever since.
Tell us how you got started in BBQ.
Before 2020, I had almost no cooking experience. My girlfriend did most of the cooking, and we ate out often. But once the pandemic hit, I started grilling everything outside. I had time on my hands, so I dove deep—watching videos, reading up on techniques, and learning through trial and error. That journey led me to Kamado Joe, and its versatility got me cooking nearly every night.
What advice would you give to someone new to grilling or just starting to create BBQ content?
Practice makes perfect! The more you cook, the more confident you’ll get—not just with the grill, but with filming and sharing the process too. And most importantly, have fun with it. People can tell when you're genuinely enjoying what you do.
What’s your favorite grilling technique and why?
I’m still working on mastering this one, but cooking a rotisserie porchetta over charcoal is probably my favorite technique. Getting that skin perfectly crispy without burning it takes patience and skill—it’s a real art, and I love the challenge.
What’s your current favorite recipe?
It changes all the time, but right now, I’m all about my Tri-Tip Pastrami Sandwich. It’s packed with flavor, and it’s a fun twist on a classic that never disappoints.

Michael Perez's Favorite Products

Michael Perez’s Favorite Recipes