Ron On The Grill

Often with the coming of a new year comes reflections of the previous year. I launched this channel in January, 2021. It would be another year before I launched my first video. The recipe was Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders.

I was an unknown with a brand new channel, so the video didn't do much. Almost a year later it started getting more views out of nowhere. It would go on to get over 2000 views, settling in at around 2600.

As the years went on I kept posting and trying new content, trying to find myself and carve out my own lane for my content, while trying to stay true to who I am as a person off-line. I tried all kinds of recipes and content, partly because I wanted lots of variety. But also because I wanted to show how versatile a grill really is, and the fact that you can cook almost anything on a grill.

As time went on I started wanting some company to approach me for a brand deal. Sent me new stuff to try, that kind of thing. But when it finally happened a couple of times I realized I really wasn't interested in making a video and turning it into a commercial for a company. Nope, I didn't want to do brand deals or promotions or unboxing videos; I wanted to COOK.

And I did just that, from that point until now, sitting here on January 3'rd, 2026. Now though, after trying all kinds of styles- on-screen narrated videos, music-only videos, classic bbq recipes, fancier more up-scale recipes like classic southern comfort food recipes, etc, I find myself really wanting to focus this year on helping people new to grilling quickly take their skills to another level.

But before I go down that road I want to see how much interest there is from you guys. I'm talking about a whole series that takes you from choosing your first grill-the right grill for YOU and YOUR family (not every grill is right for every person or family)-all the way through the basics of cooking on a grill (lighting charcoal, managing and controlling temperature, using your vents, etc.

Then we'll start working on the basics of cooking on a charcoal grill. We'll start with simple, common recipes like chicken, burgers and such, then move on to white meat, learning how to make it come out tender and juicy.

After we've done a few of those we'll start getting into smoking meat using a charcoal grill. But by the time you get to that stage you will really know your way around setting up a charcoal grill for the kind of stuff you're cooking,.

You'll know how to cook based on internal temperature and not time, because I'll show you how to use an instant read thermometer. You'll know how to control the temperature of your grill, because I'll teach you how to use the vents properly. We're not talking one or two quick videos. We're talking deep dive stuff, where you really go beyond quick 3-5 minute videos.

Is this something you need and would want me to do?

4 days ago | [YT] | 2

Ron On The Grill

If you know my channel well you know I have LOTS of great content for Thanksgiving. But my Christmas content is kinda lacking. I need ideas! Tell me one of your traditional menu items you love to serve for Thanksgiving. I always do my Twice-Smoked Shank Ham. I'd love to see some of your main course recipes, sides and even desserts. Maybe I'll feature one on the channel. If I do, I'll shout you out in the video!

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 5

Ron On The Grill

I often use AI to help me get the "packaging" of my videos optimized. Packaging refers to everything you see when you click on a video; title and thumbnail and description mostly. But even elements of the video itself play a big role, especially in the first few seconds. Spending too much time there can often make viewers get impatient and leave.

One thing AI apps often recommend is NOT showing the grill set-up. Now, personally I think that's important, even if it's highly edited and abbreviated. But I want your opinion. Do you want to see how I set up the grill in the video, or are you fine with just a sentence or two explaining how I set it up? Cast your vote below.

1 month ago | [YT] | 7

Ron On The Grill

Thanksgiving is upon us, and while EVERYBODY is thinking about the big meal. But you know what starts before the big meal? The BIG GAME! You need an appetizer. Something super quick and easy that makes a lot.


I just dropped the video for what I truly believe is: The First Ever "Zero-Prep" Smoked Appetizer: Dump, Stir, Smoke.

If you hate tedious BBQ prep (wrapping, stuffing, rolling—I know I do!), you'll LOVE this one. Zero assembly needed. Just dump the ingredients, stir in the butter and seasoning, and smoke. It's DONE IN AN HOUR on your kettle and absolutely perfect for Game Day.

Check out the full, simple method here:
https://youtu.be/xw7X5V6c2fY?si=hO8y2...

#ZeroPrepBBQ #SmokedAppetizer #ThanksgivingSnacks #CharcoalGrill

1 month ago | [YT] | 4

Ron On The Grill

People like "sweet and spicy" wings recipes. A LOT. Do a search on this and you'll find TONS of videos where the title starts with sweet and spicy". And that's my problem. I've created a new wings recipe-it's live on my channel right now-that is getting straight slept on. It's one of the most unique sweet and spicy wings recipes I've seen. But it's getting lost in the hundreds of videos whose titles start with "sweet and spicy".

So here's a challenge for you: Say "Sweet And Spicy" without saying "Sweet And Spicy"! Comment below, and have fun with it. Let's go1

3 months ago | [YT] | 5

Ron On The Grill

Hey! Hope all is well in your world. Just a heads up, mom is visiting us this weekend. After I featured her on one of my recent videos several of you told me you wanted to see more of her. So I'll get her on camera with me this weekend as I film another recipe.

I'm starting a new "Wings Wednesday" segment on the channel, where I'll be doing wings about once a month or so. Mom doesn't care for wings for some reason! I'm going to try and find out why this weekend. I have a hunch it's because they're just not that easy to eat for her. Let's see if I can solve this mystery this weekend. In future videos I'm hoping to gradually introduce to to my other siblings and talk about some of the things we're all having to work together on to take care of mom as well as one of my brothers, who's in a nursing home right now after having a stroke. We'll gradually unpack all that over time in future videos, while we cook up some grub and hang out on the deck. Stay tuned.

4 months ago | [YT] | 19

Ron On The Grill

So, the video with my mom is not performing like videos I typically do. But I told you that I've been really feeling a tug towards doing videos with more content about my personal life mixed in. Still staying true to why people follow, watch and subscribe, of course. So I had high hopes for my latest video, where mom joins me to hang out and follow me as I make some "Texas Twinkies".

Long story short, the video is under-performing what most of my videos tend to do, in all areas-EXCEPT TWO: Watch time (how long people watch a video) and engagement (comments, likes). I was a bit disappointed, so I went to talk to Chat GPT about it. I use ChatGPT a lot, especially for doing research, optimizing my videos, etc. It's become like talking to a person I know and have known for a while, who just happens to know a lot about EVERYTHING.

I want you guys to see what Chat GPT said to me after I went there whining about my low numbers compared to the numbers I usually get.

ChatFPT said:

"Honestly, this is shaping up exactly like the kind of video you intended it to be: one that sticks with the right people, even if it doesn’t explode right out the gate.

Here’s how I’m reading those numbers:

🔹 Views: 117 (43 less than usual)
Not unexpected at all. You posted at a different time, it’s a more personal video, and it’s not designed to catch casual scrollers — it’s aimed at your core. And that core doesn't always rush in all at once.

🔹 Watch Time: 5.6 hours (about the same)
That’s actually really encouraging. Lower views but equal watch time? That means the people who did click… stayed. They watched longer, likely watched more of it, and that tells YouTube: “This content is good — just needs the right audience.”

🔹 Average View Duration: Slightly Up
Another great sign. When the average goes up while views go down, that’s quality over quantity. You may be looking at a slow-burner — one that YouTube might start recommending more once it figures out who to show it to.

🔹 Comments: 23
That’s a LOT for under 120 views. That’s a comment every 5 viewers. That’s community-level interaction. That’s your tribe showing up. Even if they're a smaller group right now, this is a sign they’re invested.

TL;DR:
You're building something deeper here, and it's already working, even if the numbers aren't flashy.

These are the stats of a video that MATTERS — not a clickbait hit, but one that sinks in. And over time, as more folks see what you're doing, these will be the videos that keep them coming back."


So what I'm saying is even though this one isn't doing big numbers, the ones that are watching are clearly people that have built some kind of relationship with me, on whatever level that is. When you're talking about building a tribe, that's the people you're looking for. Thank you to every single person who liked, commented and watched that video. -Ron

4 months ago | [YT] | 10

Ron On The Grill

Hey peeps, so the video with mom is live on the channel now. I couldn't show you the link before because it was in unlisted mode. Watch it when you get some time and let me know how you feel about the video as a whole. All feedback is welcome. Mom will be with us again this weekend and I'll be showing her your comments and reactions, so stop by and leave a comment when you get time. I think she'll get a big kick out of it.

5 months ago | [YT] | 5

Ron On The Grill

For those of you that have been kind enough to give your feedback regarding sharing more personal content-more parts of my life in my videos, today I’m posting the one that’s pretty special to me; because in this one you’ll meet my mom.

You originally connected with me to see me cooking bbq recipes, so know that I will always stay true to the thing I started the channel to do. There will always be a recipe at the center of these videos. The video goes live at 11:00 central today, and I can’t wait for you to meet mom. Thanks for all your feedback.

5 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 12

Ron On The Grill

I've been telling you guys for a while that I really want to share a bit more of my life with you in the videos. Many of you have already responded very positively to that, often even praying for and with me on certain issues. Another time in one of my videos I shared some footage of me doing some landscaping between check-ins on the meat, and some of you seemed to enjoy that little break.

Once I had a musician's rehearsal I needed to attend, and I was able to weave that into the video by sharing how I was going to keep the grill temperature steady on the meat I was smoking while I was at rehearsal. I even showed a brief shot of me walking into the church to rehearse with the band.

Of course, there's always lots to share about my mom, who will be with me this weekend. What I'm getting at is this feeling of wanting to make my videos more than just recipe videos where I show you the prep, do a couple check ins, then show you the final shot, won't go away. I'm not sure why. Maybe there's something in it for someone else.

But quite a few of you have told me you watch my videos all the time, and I had no idea because you guys don't tend to comment. More than big numbers, what I want is relationships with the people who are really vibing me on a personal level. I want to know you by name, shout you out in videos, talk about YOUR life triumphs and challenges. I'm still working on the best, most natural way to do that so you DO get the recipes and tips you came for, but it's more like visiting with a friend than the same old format you see in every bbq channel video. Of course, I can always add chapters that make it easy for anyone who ISN'T interested in the personal behind the scenes stuff to skip that part.

Let me know how you feel in the poll below. And please do add any additional info or thoughts in the comments.

5 months ago | [YT] | 7