PLEASE Help Me Decide on a Backwoods for Comp

Teamfour

Teamfour

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I have a Chubby on order. My intention was to get started in comps using the Chubby and one or two UDS's. I recently spent a weekend with a team at a comp and saw all sorts of equipment including the larger Backwoods cookers.

This got me wondering if my equipment selection would actually work. I have the money set aside for the Chubby, and MIGHT be able to afford a Party. Anything bigger is a no-go. So my questions are:

Could I make a Chubby and 2 UDS work?
How about a Party and UDS?
Could I cook a comp all on a Party?

Please recommend a combo of the above and maybe suggest what meats would be cooked on what.

Thanks in advance.
 
If you can afford it, get a Fatboy. I use one and am fortunate to be able to be able to borrow another for comps (many, many thanks Giggler). I have done a couple of comps using just mine, and with slight adjustments of timelines, the food comes out right on time with little problems. I cook two 14-17# briskets and two 10# butts overnight and they finish about 8am. I put my ribs (3 racks) on about 9am (they finish in 3.5 hours for me) and my chicken (20-30 thighs) goes in at 930. Plenty of room for everything.
 
Thanks y'all. But to reiterate, a Party is the most I can afford.
 
I did two 10 lb. butts and 2 12-13 lb briskets in my Party a couple of weeks ago. If you time thing right you can do it all in a Party. Cook the big meats and get them done and in a cooler or Cambro then put in the ribs followed by the chicken.

But, a Party and a UDS would give you more flexibility in case the big meats are stubborn or if you want to do chicken at higher temps.

BTW, I know that you said that a Party was the max, but look seriously at the extended Party. It is deep enough to fit a full pan and will make ribs easier to fit. Plus, my one gripe with my Party is the grates. Two 10 lb. butts on one grate was bending the grate. The grates on the extended Party are much heavier wire.
 
you might think about going small with another chubby. i think you could fit two butts in one and two briskets in the other and get them coolered in time to use one for ribs and the other for chicken. you could put them on each end of a table and have the door on one of them mounted in reverse so they both open into the center work area of the table.
 
Teamfour said:
Thanks y'all. But to reiterate, a Party is the most I can afford.
Click to expand...

Sorry - missed that part the first time - Get the party, I think you can cook a contest on a party with good timing. I did it a couple of times when I first started. I ended up cooking the ribs pork and brisket on the party and the chicken on another pit - that worked well. A UDS and a party would be a great comp setup I think
 
Have had a Party, Chubby, and Fatboy. You can do well with any of them. My all time fave is the Party, easy to move and easy to use. I have done an entire Kcbs contest on a Party, just plan on have your big cuts off and resting before chicken and ribs go on. A contest with a Party and UDS would be easy peasy.
 
I love the Party and think you can win a competition on it. We did. We took 2nd at Memphis in May in Ribs using the Party. I know other MBN teams have used it as well. It will handle butts and brisket as well - the ONLY negative to it is that it won't hold it's temperature quite as long as larger smokers. But if you really pile in the charcoal and work your vents just right, you should still be able to get at least 5-6 hours out of it without having to reset the fire.
 
habsslabs said:
I love the Party and think you can win a competition on it. We did. We took 2nd at Memphis in May in Ribs using the Party. I know other MBN teams have used it as well. It will handle butts and brisket as well - the ONLY negative to it is that it won't hold it's temperature quite as long as larger smokers. But if you really pile in the charcoal and work your vents just right, you should still be able to get at least 5-6 hours out of it without having to reset the fire.
Click to expand...

Consider building a charcoal basket. We made a basket out of expanded metal that fit inside the original charcoal tray. Ran the basket up to about 2" inches under the bottom of the water pan. The cooker would very nearly go an entire contest worth of burn time. Congrats on the MIM, I need to check that out someday.

ML
 
With a Chubby and a Party, you would probably be okay. I also think you can get started with the Chubby and a UDS or 2. I've used a Fatboy to do everything and it worked, but, if the big meats ran long, it got a little crowded. I think doing it all in a Party would be tough. As everyone has said, it takes good timing and hope you don't have a stubborn brisket or butt. Good luck.
 
I started with a party and after awhile used a wsm with it. SO the party and a uds would work well
 
Smokin' Joe said:
The Fatboy should be renamed the Competitor :-D The Fatboy is the best model in the line for comps - and its not close
Click to expand...

+++++1 :thumb:

Start shaking the seat cushions.... figure out how to find the money or wait till you figure it out... I can't believe I waited so long to pull the trigger on mine.
 
We use an Extended Party and an 18" WSM for comps and have been happy with our results.

If you get a Party, I strongly recommend having them add two sets of sliders in such a fashion to permit you to have 4 racks 6" apart. The flexibility is great that way and gives you much better access to the meats.
 
I'm using a standard Party with two large Big Green Eggs. I think the party would work with the drum cookers. I'd not get a chubby myself unless it is a space thing (ie the party is too big).
 
Ron_L said:
BTW, I know that you said that a Party was the max, but look seriously at the extended Party. It is deep enough to fit a full pan and will make ribs easier to fit. Plus, my one gripe with my Party is the grates. Two 10 lb. butts on one grate was bending the grate. The grates on the extended Party are much heavier wire.
Click to expand...

Yes I agree with this. There are a few mods you should consider. Keep that in mind as it's added cost:

- extended for the reasons Ron_L mentions.
- commercial fire box
- consider getting more sliders installed. Gives you more options for grate placement.
- 180* door. Should be standard but...
- heat diverter.

It adds up. I'd not want to give any of these up on mine.
 
Thanks everyone! I am going to go with the Party. I just can't swing the Extended version.
 
Go with the extended party not much more money over the standard party.
 
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