Ben Lang

Ben C. Lang II is the founder of Lang BBQ Smokers® and the originator of the reverse-flow barbecue smoker, a design he introduced in 1988 that has since become a standard across the barbecue industry.

Working out of Nahunta, Georgia, Lang built his first smoker with a focus on solving a fundamental problem in traditional offset cooking—uneven heat and inconsistent smoke. His reverse-flow system created a more controlled cooking environment, producing cleaner smoke and more consistent temperatures, and fundamentally changed how barbecue is cooked.

Over the past three decades, Lang BBQ Smokers® has grown into a nationally recognized brand, with pits in use across the United States and around the world by competitors, restaurants, caterers, and backyard cooks alike. Each unit continues to be handcrafted, reflecting a commitment to durability, simplicity, and performance.

Beyond manufacturing, Lang’s impact is seen in the success of others. Many of his customers have used Lang BBQ Smokers® as the foundation to build their own businesses—launching food trucks, catering companies, and restaurants. Lang considers it one of the most gratifying and fulfilling aspects of his career to help others achieve their goals and dreams through barbecue.

Through innovation, craftsmanship, and a lasting influence on both the industry and the people within it, Lang has played a significant role in shaping modern barbecue. His influence is measured not only in the pits he builds, but in the people, businesses, and dreams they’ve helped bring to life.