You're passionate about food. It's one of the reasons why you use a grill and smoker in the first place. Because when it comes to cooking meat, slow and steady always wins the race. Up to 71% of American grillers agree that improved flavor is the main reason they cook with a grill and smoker.

But it isn't enough to cook on a charcoal grill to get the flavors you really want. If that were the case, you'd still be using the first grill you ever bought.

To really get your taste buds going, and to make the kids sit down for once, consider firing up the portable smoker for the following dry rub recipes.

Sweet Carolina BBQ Rub
This dry recipe could sing Neil Diamond's chorus for him. Simply mix together 1/4 cup paprika and 3 tablespoons brown sugar. 

After you've mixed these, you're going to add 2 tablespoons cumin, 2 tablespoons chili powder, 2 tablespoons black pepper, and 2 tablespoons garlic powder. Finally, up the ante with 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper and 2 teaspoons onion powder.

Consider serving the meat (this recipe works best with poultry) with vinegar, Carolina-style barbecue sauce. The flavor of the sauce will help to balance out the sweetness of the dry rub like a good glass of scotch.

Blackening Spice Rub
If sweet and sour isn't your style, try turning up the heat with this killer dry rub. Begin by mixing 1/4 cup garlic powder with 1/4 cup onion powder and 1/4 cup thyme.

Follow this up by mixing in 6 tablespoons paprika, 4 teaspoons black pepper, and 4 teaspoons cayenne pepper. Finally, settle the spice with 4 teaspoons basil and 4 teaspoons oregano.

This dry rub is extremely versatile and can be used on a classic grill with poultry, beef, seafood, and pork. If the heat's too much, serve your well-smoked meat with a side of fruit salsa for some added sweetness.

Fairy Dust Rub
You don't need to believe in fairies for this dry rub to make your taste buds fly. Begin by mixing 1/4 cup paprika with 2 tablespoons fine sea salt.

Bring in the sweetness with 2 tablespoons sugar, then kick it up a notch with 2 tablespoons cumin and 2 tablespoons mustard powder. Finally, take yourself to Neverland by adding 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper. Finish off with 1 tablespoon garlic powder and you're ready to cook.

This recipe works best with beef, pork, and poultry. It can also be used on veggies for a side dish that really shows off the full range of your grill and smoker.

When it comes to using a personal grill and a kitchen smoker, there's no better way to light up your taste buds than with a good old-fashioned dry rub recipe. Try one of the above recipes today on the new PK360 and you'll be wishing you had more hands to turn brisket.