Eddie van Aken
Creator of The Grilling Dutchman, a BBQ and outdoor cooking brand focused on grilling, smoking, and meat preparation for backyard pitmasters.
I have spent years cooking over fire and smoke, learning BBQ the hard way, through real cooks, real mistakes, and a whole lot of trial and error. I’m not a chef, and I’m not interested in fancy talk. I focus on what actually works in the backyard and why it works.
This site is about me, my experience, and the work I do in the world of grilling and BBQ.
Who I Am
I am Eddie van Aken, a Dutch-born pitmaster living in the United States, and outdoor cooking has been a big part of my life for a long time. What started as a love for outdoor cooking grew into years of hands-on experience with grills, smokers, thermometers, and backyard cooking setups of every kind.
Today, I focus on teaching BBQ in a way that makes sense. No fluff. No hype. Just clear explanations and honest experience.
Over the years, I’ve cooked on just about every type of grill and smoker you can think of. I’ve tested thermometers, tools, and BBQ gear in real conditions — not labs, not showrooms, but actual backyard cooks where things don’t always go as planned.
Everything I teach comes from experience, not theory.
See My Work ->
What I Do
I work as an outdoor cooking educator and reviewer. That means:
- Testing grills, smokers, and BBQ tools in real backyard conditions
- Writing honest, experience-based reviews
- Teaching grilling and smoking techniques in plain language
- Creating guides that help home cooks avoid costly mistakes
- Producing BBQ content for readers, viewers, and brands
If I talk about it, I’ve used it. If I recommend it, it’s because it earned it.
My Main Work: The Grilling Dutchman
Most of my BBQ content lives on TheGrillingDutchman.com.
That’s where I publish:
- detailed BBQ and grilling guides
- hands-on product reviews
- cooking techniques and explanations
- recipes and experiments
- YouTube videos and gear tests
If you’re looking for practical BBQ advice and honest reviews, that’s where you should start.
Visit TheGrillingDutchman.com →
Media & Professional Work
I’m available for:
- interviews and podcasts
- expert commentary on grilling and BBQ
- product testing and reviews
- collaborations related to outdoor cooking
If you’re looking for a hands-on BBQ expert who speaks from real experience, you’ll find my background and press information here.
Visit the Media & Press page →
Why People Trust My Work
I don’t get paid to say nice things.
If a grill has problems, I say so.
If a tool doesn’t work the way it should, I don’t recommend it.
I cook outdoors regularly, test my own gear, and explain things the same way I would to someone standing next to me at the grill. Simple, honest, and practical.
Connect With Me
If you want to learn more about my experience, work with me, or follow what I’m doing:
- Read more about my background
- Check out my media and press information
- Visit The Grilling Dutchman for BBQ content
- Follow me on social media
Everything here connects back to the same thing — real outdoor cooking, done the right way.
Eddie van Aken
Eddie van Aken is a Dutch-born pitmaster and outdoor cooking expert with years of hands-on experience cooking over fire and smoke. He’s the founder of TheGrillingDutchman.com, where he shares practical BBQ guides, honest gear reviews, and real backyard cooking advice based on firsthand experience.