Most people know me as The Grilling Dutchman, and that’s where a lot of my work started. I teach practical BBQ and outdoor cooking through my website, The Grilling Dutchman, where I focus on grilling, smoking, and meat preparation for backyard pitmasters.
I didn’t learn BBQ in a classroom. I learned it the hard way by cooking outside, making mistakes, adjusting the fire, and figuring out what actually works when you’re standing next to a grill in your own backyard. Over time, that experience turned into the content I share on The Grilling Dutchman, where I break down techniques, explain equipment, and help people become more confident cooking outdoors.
But spending that much time outside also means you are constantly dealing with tools, equipment, and backyard setups. Grills need maintenance. Thermometers need testing. Tools break. New gear promises to make things easier. I started reviewing and testing that equipment simply because I needed to know what actually worked.
That eventually grew into a second project called Practical Backyard, where I focus on garden tools, garage equipment, outdoor gear, and practical solutions for homeowners who spend time working in their yard. Just like with BBQ, my goal isn’t hype or marketing talk. I want to know if something works in real life.
So today, my work focuses on two things:
Outdoor cooking and BBQ through The Grilling Dutchman, where I teach grilling, smoking, and meat preparation.
Backyard tools and equipment through Practical Backyard, where I review and test gear for garden, garage, and outdoor projects.
Both projects come from the same place — real hands-on experience and a focus on practical advice that actually helps people in their own backyard.
Eddie van Aken.
I am Eddie van Aken, a lifelong learner who writes from real experience. I share what I’ve learned about BBQ and outdoor cooking, backyard and garden projects, faith, health, and life. Including plenty of lessons I learned the hard way. You can read more about Eddie van Aken and the websites I write for.