Lane's vs The Spice Guy: Building a Pitmaster Spice Pantry
The short answer. Lane's BBQ and The Spice Guy are the two craft spice brands in our Pitmaster Pantry. We carry Lane's for big-bottle BBQ workhorses like 16 mesh black pepper, 50/50 salt and pepper, granulated garlic and sweet paprika. We carry The Spice Guy for 5 oz building blocks like kosher salt, onion powder, cumin, chipotle and brown sugar. Together they cover just about every rub you'll want to make.
If you've been searching "Lane's seasonings" or "Spice Guys," you're probably trying to figure out which single spices are worth stocking. Here's how we think about it: not which brand wins, but which bottle does which job in a pitmaster's spice cabinet.
Lane's BBQ: the BBQ workhorses
The Lane's BBQ spices we carry list Bethlehem, Georgia as home. They come in bigger shaker bottles and focus on the core of most BBQ rubs.
| Lane's spice | Size | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| 16-Mesh Black Pepper | 8 oz | Brisket bark, Dalmatian rub, steaks |
| 50/50 Salt Pepper Blend | 12.5 oz | A ready-made SP base for brisket, steak and burgers |
| Granulated Garlic | 10.5 oz | Savory backbone for almost every rub |
| Sweet Paprika | 9 oz | Color and mild sweetness on ribs and chicken |
| Ground Cayenne Pepper | 7.8 oz | Heat for wings, rubs and sauces |
The Spice Guy: the building blocks
The Spice Guy spices we carry list Denver, Colorado as home. They come in 5 oz shakers, which makes it easy to stock a wider range without overbuying.
| The Spice Guy spice | Size | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Coarse Kosher Salt | 5 oz | Dry brining and building rubs |
| Onion Powder | 5 oz | Savory depth in any blend |
| Brownulated Sugar | 5 oz | Sweet rubs that don't clump |
| Honey Granules | 5 oz | Sticky, sweet bark on ribs and wings |
| Ground Cumin | 5 oz | Tex-Mex and al pastor rubs |
| Chipotle Chili Powder | 5 oz | Smoky heat |
| Mustard Powder | 5 oz | Tang to balance sweet rubs |
| Celery Salt | 5 oz | Classic savory note |
Build your pitmaster spice pantry in 3 steps
Step 1: The core five. Kosher salt, 16 mesh black pepper, granulated garlic, onion powder and sweet paprika. With these you can make SPG, a Dalmatian rub and a basic all-purpose rub.
Step 2: Sweet and heat. Add brown sugar, honey granules, cayenne and chipotle. Now you can make a competition rib rub or a sweet heat wing rub.
Step 3: Flavor directions. Add cumin and mustard powder for Tex-Mex, al pastor and Carolina-style blends.
Pitmaster tip: the easiest way to stock the core is a bundle. The Competition BBQ DIY Rub Bundle pairs Lane's paprika, pepper and garlic with The Spice Guy's salt, onion, brown sugar and mustard, plus a 16 oz shaker. The Sweet Heat DIY BBQ Rub Bundle leans sweet and spicy.
Keep your spices fresh
- Store them sealed, away from the heat and steam of the grill.
- Write the date on each bottle when you open it.
- Move your favorite blends into a 4 oz or 16 oz shaker and label them.
FAQ
Where is Lane's BBQ from?
The Lane's BBQ spices we carry list Bethlehem, Georgia as the vendor location.
Where is The Spice Guy from?
The Spice Guy spices we carry list Denver, Colorado as the vendor location.
Which is better, Lane's or The Spice Guy?
They do different jobs in our pantry. We carry Lane's for big BBQ workhorses like 16 mesh pepper, the 50/50 salt and pepper blend, granulated garlic, sweet paprika and cayenne. We carry The Spice Guy for smaller 5 oz building blocks like kosher salt, onion powder, cumin, chipotle, mustard powder, brown sugar and honey granules.
What spices should every pitmaster have?
Start with kosher salt, 16 mesh black pepper, granulated garlic, onion powder and paprika. Add brown sugar, cumin, chipotle, cayenne and mustard powder as you start building your own rubs.
Do I need to buy pre-made rubs?
No. With a handful of basics you can mix most classic BBQ rubs yourself and adjust them to your taste.
Keep the discoveries coming
A full spice pantry is a great start. A new themed box keeps it interesting. With a Grill Masters Club subscription, a themed box of pitmaster-picked sauces, rubs and a tool shows up every 2 or 3 months, with a recipe booklet built around exactly what's inside. No theme ever repeats.
Start your subscriptionFree US shipping. Shopping for the griller in your life? Give the Gift of BBQ.
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