With tailgating season ahead, here's the scoop on Franklin BBQ's new pits

Franklin Barbecue owners Aaron and Stacy Franklin are serious about helping home cooks make better barbecue. (And steaks.) After two cookbooks, the Franklins are now launching a line of barbecue pits that will go on sale this fall. The East Austin restaurant released a photo on Monday of what they say is the last prototype before the pit goes into production in coming weeks. The off-set smoker will be made in Austin and constructed with 1/4-inch steel, but they haven’t said how much it will cost or will it will officially go on sale. You can sign up for updates through franklinbbqpits.com, but if you want a chance to buy the pit in the photo, you can bid on it through the Les Dames de Escoffier, which is hosting an event called You Grill Girl on Sept. 5 at Franklin Barbecue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices