Backyard Pitmaster

[SteelSmoke66]

Hey all,

Kind of new to Michigan. Live in Holland, work in Grand Rapids. Have been a backyard smoker for quite some time. Contemplating doing some comps but have no experience doing them whatsoever. Looking to attend some now that I have an idea where they're at in these parts. Don't really care about the money aspect of it but just really enjoy the food part of it. Don't know how good I'd be at it but my family thinks I'm one hell of a pitmaster. I just own a couple of cheap offset smokers right now but would consider serious upgrade if I thought I could make a go at it. Been smoking foods, making my own bacon, sausage, etc for over 10 years now. If anyone is ever need of a hand at an event, I'd be happy to help just for experience. My wife says I kick arse at cleaning dishes :)

Marc

[jsnwinne]

Hey all,

Kind of new to Michigan. Live in Holland, work in Grand Rapids. Have been a backyard smoker for quite some time. Contemplating doing some comps but have no experience doing them whatsoever. Looking to attend some now that I have an idea where they're at in these parts. Don't really care about the money aspect of it but just really enjoy the food part of it. Don't know how good I'd be at it but my family thinks I'm one hell of a pitmaster. I just own a couple of cheap offset smokers right now but would consider serious upgrade if I thought I could make a go at it. Been smoking foods, making my own bacon, sausage, etc for over 10 years now. If anyone is ever need of a hand at an event, I'd be happy to help just for experience. My wife says I kick arse at cleaning dishes :)

Marc


Welcome to the forum Marc! I am right there with you on wanted to try the comp arena. Never done one and never been to one. The family loves my Q cooking and its a ton of fun so why not. An added plus is that the members of glbbqa are great and fast to offer advice, and seem like theyll help when needed. Ive also gathered from my time here that some of these guys might be able to do more 12 oz curls then me.....but ill give em a run in Eagle

[Pigs Eatin' Ribs]

Welcome to the forum Marc. You will find a lot of great information here.

[mikerobes]

Welcome Marc. Great place, great people, great time at the comps. Hope to see you at some.
I'm a newbie too, but your only new for a little while:)

Mike

[bbqbull]

Welcome to the forum Marc!

[Ron_L]

Welcome, Marc! You should check out the fun competition that the GLBBQA will be holding in Eagle, MI in May. It would be a good way to see how you like BBQ competitions and meet some of the group!

[jerry516planes]

Marc welcome to the forum. I live in Jenison and work in Holland. I can give you some help with putting together a drum smoker.

I will be posting some info on the Eagle practice cook in about a month. Practice cook is primarily for helping newbies get started with comp cooking. Lots of help available. There will be experienced cookers available to answer questions. PM me your email address and I will get you some info on KCBS rules and an overview of competion so you can see what to expect. And of course you are welcome to just come and hange out with the teams that are cooking and see what is going.

[jim]

Welcome Marc. Your going to have a great time on the glbbqa website, and the GR area is a perfect place to be for an introduction to the competition scene.

[SteelSmoke66]

Thanks all for the warm welcome. I go into this with no delusions of grandeur. Really just about the camaraderie and if someone likes my BBQ, then all the better! I hope to be able to pick a lot of your brains!

[Bill Gailey]

Welcome Marc. Two years ago I was right where you are now. Take my advice - go to a CBJ school and get certified to judge. This gives you the opportunity to meet all the great Michigan teams, enjoy some really good bbq and build up the courage to jump in with both feet. I am already registered for the Sam's Club Challenge and will be doing Eagle and Auburn Hills as well. So this year I will finally get to find out how many of my friends have been lieing to me about how good my Q is.

[SteelSmoke66]

Hey Bill,

That's a great idea. I'll try to figure out how I can do that. Like I said, I'm really just about the making friends and good buddies. To me, the competition would be second. I'm a firm believer that where there's smoke, there's friends.

[SteelSmoke66]

So, where does one go to get the judges training? Any in Michigan?

[BruceB]

Hey Mark,

Welcome to the forum. I checked the Kansas City Barbeque Society website (www.kcbs.us) and there are no CBJ classes scheduled in Michigan at this time., however, that may change as the year goes on and more judging classes are added to the schedule.

[SteelSmoke66]

Thanks Bruce. Just as a side note: Are judges treated the same as baseball umpires?

[BruceB]

Thanks Bruce. Just as a side note: Are judges treated the same as baseball umpires?

Well.....we don't make you wear a mask....yet.

[spydermike72]

Welcome Aboard Marc!!

[SteelSmoke66]

Thanks Spyder!

[Rich Parker]

Welcome Marc, I live in Grand Rapids and compete once in a while so if you ever have any questions about competing or bbq in general post it on the forum because there is a wealth of knowledge here.

The GLBBQA annual meeting is 3/31 and would be a great time to here about the next competition season and in general what is going on in the organization.

Like what was mentioned above, Eagle (5/12 - 5/13) would be a great place for you to start. It is a fun event and a lot of teams bring their families on Friday evening to enjoy the potluck and just to hang out and meet the other teams. In fact, Eagle was my debut in 2010 and I believe got last in brisket and next to last in pork or something like that. :D

[SteelSmoke66]

In fact, Eagle was my debut in 2010 and I believe got last in brisket and next to last in pork or something like that. :D

So, you're saying I'd have big shoes to fill to keep the tradition of Grand Rapids up? :D:D:D

I'd still be #1 in the hearts of my kids, so I'd be cool with that outcome

[Bill Gailey]

Thanks Bruce. Just as a side note: Are judges treated the same as baseball umpires?

I wish! Umpires get paid for the abuse, as a judge we just get to eat and then listen to the abuse. I have been the cause of every bad score for the past 2 years and enjoyed every minute of it. I wouldn't trade the 2 years under the judges tent and on this forum for anything. This is a great bunch of guys and gals and you will absolutely have as much fun as you want to have if you come and join us.

Rich I can't believe that Eagle of 2010 was your first comp....man, you have come a long way in a short while....any secrets you want to share?

[Rich Parker]

I wish! Umpires get paid for the abuse, as a judge we just get to eat and then listen to the abuse. I have been the cause of every bad score for the past 2 years and enjoyed every minute of it. I wouldn't trade the 2 years under the judges tent and on this forum for anything. This is a great bunch of guys and gals and you will absolutely have as much fun as you want to have if you come and join us.

Rich I can't believe that Eagle of 2010 was your first comp....man, you have come a long way in a short while....any secrets you want to share?

My problem at Eagle was bad timing and it scares me at every comp that it will happen again.

There was a cold misty rain that morning and my cooker would not get hot enough so the pork and brisket didn't get done on time. Lesson is to make sure your meat is done and in a cambro or cooler plenty time ahead because the weather is unpredictable.

[mikerobes]

[QUOTE=Rich Parker;29035]My problem at Eagle was bad timing and it scares me at every comp that it will happen again.

Oh, it will happen again if you keep staying out all night, pounding Stag with that Super G guy:D

[SteelSmoke66]

I may just have to try that Eagle cook......I'll probably suck and keep the proud tradition of Grand Rapids alive but what the heck. If you ain't living on the edge, you're taking up too much space.

So, where is Eagle, MI?

[spydermike72]

I may just have to try that Eagle cook......I'll probably suck and keep the proud tradition of Grand Rapids alive but what the heck. If you ain't living on the edge, you're taking up too much space.

So, where is Eagle, MI?

Just a little west of Lansing on I-96...

[BruceB]

I may just have to try that Eagle cook......I'll probably suck and keep the proud tradition of Grand Rapids alive but what the heck. If you ain't living on the edge, you're taking up too much space.

So, where is Eagle, MI?

It's on the West side.:rolleyes:

[SteelSmoke66]

Well, that ain't too far at all. Where do I sign up at? Even the worst brisket is usually edible, so I'm game!

[SteelSmoke66]

It's on the West side.:rolleyes:

Well, that IS the prettier of the two sides :) I hardly know my way around Michigan yet. I know where the big cities are and even Sagnasty but had no clue where Eagle was

[spydermike72]

Well, that IS the prettier of the two sides :) I hardly know my way around Michigan yet. I know where the big cities are and even Sagnasty but had no clue where Eagle was

I think you should try the Tawas/Oscoda area some time, it is on the Sunrise Side and is some of the most beautiful country you will find in the entire State....

[SteelSmoke66]

I think you should try the Tawas/Oscoda area some time, it is on the Sunrise Side and is some of the most beautiful country you will find in the entire State....

To be fair, all of my dealings with the east side of Michigan have been Detroit and Sagnasty. I guess I shouldn't judge it by those two cities alone.

[SMOKIN ACES CRAPSHOOT BBQ]

On the Eastern boundries of our WESTSIDE ZONE, but it counts!!:cool:

It's on the West side.:rolleyes:

[Rich Parker]

So, you're saying I'd have big shoes to fill to keep the tradition of Grand Rapids up? :D:D:D

I'd still be #1 in the hearts of my kids, so I'd be cool with that outcome

I wish! Umpires get paid for the abuse, as a judge we just get to eat and then listen to the abuse. I have been the cause of every bad score for the past 2 years and enjoyed every minute of it. I wouldn't trade the 2 years under the judges tent and on this forum for anything. This is a great bunch of guys and gals and you will absolutely have as much fun as you want to have if you come and join us.

Rich I can't believe that Eagle of 2010 was your first comp....man, you have come a long way in a short while....any secrets you want to share?

There is one tip I forgot. I took this class in Feb 2010.
http://www.glbbqa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2121

Well, that ain't too far at all. Where do I sign up at? Even the worst brisket is usually edible, so I'm game!

Jerry and Barb are organizing the event this year, and Jerry will post a thread soon in the near future about it and how to sign up.

You could start preparing by:


Read the KCBS rules, find some pictures of KCBS turn in boxes, and just research KCBS competition bbq.

Practice cooking all 4 of the meats and getting them done on time for the turn ins.

[Ron_L]

Here is a great site for learning what to do, and what not to do, for turn in boxes.

http://www.bbqcritic.com/

[SteelSmoke66]

Thanks all! Yins guys are really helpful.

[spydermike72]

To be fair, all of my dealings with the east side of Michigan have been Detroit and Sagnasty. I guess I shouldn't judge it by those two cities alone.

Definitely not, once you get past Sagnasty even Bay City is nice.

The whole state is gorgeous and I try not to be too bias to one side or the other... :D:D

[udoughguy]

Hi Marc. Welcome to the forum. I live and work in Holland. send me a pm and we can get some phone numbers and chat. This group is a great bunch of guys.

[michiana mark]

Welcome to the forum Marc, I used to live in Holland about 20 years ago. Great town, especially when the tulips come up.:D

Enjoy the forum.

[MossyMO]

Glad you joined us Marc, welcome!
I backyard guy also that has never competed, I think I have my wife finally interested in trying a South Dakota event due to our location... we'll see...:eek:

[SweetRacks&SmokinButts]

Welcome aboard Marc! I can't believe no one has taken you up on your dish washing offer yet..these guys usually jump all over that and only charge you a case of beer to do it ;)

If you ever want to want to know what not to do at an event, hit me up. We could always use an extra set of hands at a comp.

Josh

[SteelSmoke66]

Glad you joined us Marc, welcome!
I backyard guy also that has never competed, I think I have my wife finally interested in trying a South Dakota event due to our location... we'll see...:eek:

Hey Mossy,

Used to live in North Dakota myself. It only took like 4 years for my juevos to descend from those nasty winters :D My wife is from there and her family still lives there in the Willow City area.

[SteelSmoke66]

Welcome aboard Marc! I can't believe no one has taken you up on your dish washing offer yet..these guys usually jump all over that and only charge you a case of beer to do it ;)

If you ever want to want to know what not to do at an event, hit me up. We could always use an extra set of hands at a comp.

Josh

Josh,

Always willing to lend a hand where I can. For the most part, BBQ people are just good people and that's who I like to be around.......good people! Give me a call if I can help in any way!

[SweetRacks&SmokinButts]

Marc, not sure if we are going to be cooking the Eagle comp because of other obligations but I think we will be doing the Westmont IL event at the end of May. We'll definitely be showing up for the Eagle comp at some point so we can meet up there. Look forward to seeing you...is it May yet?