Grillzilla: From Santa Maria Smoke to Backyard Paradise

About this episode

Freddie Bell interviews Billy Franklin, a veteran and grilling enthusiast known as Grillzilla, discussing barbecue traditions and backyard cooking.

Send us Fan Mail This week on the Barbecue Radio Network, Freddie Bell welcomes a true backyard original. Meet Billy Franklin — Army veteran, lifelong griller, and the man they call Grillzilla. From Santa Maria barbecue traditions to pellet grills, backyard ponds, and Florida flavor, it’s a conversation about fire, food, and the life built around them. Don’t miss it — right here on the Barbecue Radio Network. www.bbqradionetwork.com

People in this episode

Host: Freddie Bell

Guest: Billy Franklin

Topics covered

• barbecue
• grilling
• backyard cooking
• food culture
• veterans
• pellet grills

Keywords

• barbecue
• grilling
• Santa Maria
• Florida flavor
• backyard ponds
• pellet grills
• Army veteran

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Barbecue Radio Network

Places: Santa Maria, Florida

More episodes of BBQ RADIO NETWORK

• Smoke, Stories & the Heart of Dickey’s · June 11, 2026 · 41 min
• Pink Smokers, Big Flavor: The Animales Story · May 28, 2026 · 41 min
• A Mile High, Smoked to Perfection: The Jason Ganahl Story · May 21, 2026 · 40 min
• Q39: The Heart, Soul, and Smoke of Kansas City · May 14, 2026 · 43 min
• Southern Love: Raising the Bar in Barbecue · April 30, 2026 · 42 min
• Smoke, Science & the Soul of Barbecue: Inside the Pit with Clint Cantwell · April 23, 2026 · 42 min