1st comp coming up, feeling the pressure

jketron · 01-13-2013, 06:28 PM

I'm going jump into the comp BBQ circuit this year. I've read, I've studied, I've taken classes, I've judged, I've practiced.... I am excited!!!!!

I'd love to hear any advice you have, dos donts...

Videos... I'll tak anything when it comes to learning

Teamfour · 01-13-2013, 06:36 PM

Read Starting the Fire by George Hensler.

jketron · 01-13-2013, 06:38 PM

I've read that and loved it, I second the vote for that reading.

"Bone to Bark" BBQ · 01-13-2013, 06:45 PM

1. Don't kill your self "over-preparing"
2. Do take your cooking seriously
3. Do ENJOY the experience
4. Don't finish DAL

Those and a few other common sense things will make for a great time!

Meat Man · 01-13-2013, 07:09 PM

When and where is your first comp?

jketron · 01-13-2013, 07:29 PM

High Desert BBQ Showdown, Victorville CA

Ive got Johnny's class and a few judgings before then to take in more knowledge

Meat Man · 01-13-2013, 08:13 PM

I don't know if you have yet, but one thing that really helped me prepare for my first contest was actually doing a four meat cook. I only did one practice four meat cook, but it really helped me.

kenthanson · 01-13-2013, 09:10 PM

DO NOT GET SH*TTY DRUNK ON FRIDAY NIGHT!!!
That is all.

JerryA · 01-13-2013, 09:24 PM

Lots of time before your fist comp.. Practice your timing. Make sure you're happy with your 4 meats and then it's all about executing it at the comp.
Most importantly make all your turn ins and have fun!

jketron · 01-13-2013, 09:26 PM

What are you folks using for hot water? Clean up water

nucornhusker · 01-13-2013, 09:33 PM

I ran a full practice comp the week before to get my timing down and get one out of the way so to speak. I was more nervous when I did that, than when I actually competed. Being at a comp and the fun atmosphere, BBQ camaraderie and all that goes along with it, just made it so fun I didn't feel nervous, and I did well.

But again, a full practice cook is a good idea.

Ron_L · 01-13-2013, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meat Man

I don't know if you have yet, but one thing that really helped me prepare for my first contest was actually doing a four meat cook. I only did one practice four meat cook, but it really helped me.

Do this! Set up in your yard just as you will at the comp and run a mock competition. Every time you have to go into the house for something, write it down!

For hot water lots of guys use an igloo drink cooler and boil water with a turkey fryer and put it in the drink cooler. It will stay hot for hours.

JerryA · 01-14-2013, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jketron

What are you folks using for hot water? Clean up water

I use a Coleman Hot Water On Demand that I bought used on eBay

altomari8868 · 01-14-2013, 12:41 AM

Three things:
* Have a time line written down from when you arrive till when you leave. It was a huge help when I first started...
* Stick with what you practiced. Do not get caught up changing because you heard or may have seen another team doing something. Write things down as you go and make changes when and if you need to when it is practice time.
* Have fun and really take in the entire experience, call it a win for yourself if you do not finish D-A-L.
Good luck and let us know how you did...

Hawg Father of Seoul · 01-14-2013, 06:36 AM

Lots of good advice here, pay attention to the not getting drunk part.

You are plenty prepared. If you can not pull it off now (with all that money spent) you never will. Good luck.

01-13-2013, 06:28 PM	#1
jketron Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 03-23-12 Location: Carlsbad, CA	1st comp coming up, feeling the pressure I'm going jump into the comp BBQ circuit this year. I've read, I've studied, I've taken classes, I've judged, I've practiced.... I am excited!!!!! I'd love to hear any advice you have, dos donts... Videos... I'll tak anything when it comes to learning __________________ ------------------------------- John, KCBS CBJ Humphrey's Cubed Beast Backwoods Party G2, WSM 18/22 Grill of His Dreams #1 Rule of BBQ... Have fun :razz:

01-13-2013, 06:36 PM	#2
Teamfour is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 07-13-12 Location: Sterling, VA	Read Starting the Fire by George Hensler. __________________ BWS Party \|UDS\|Maverick ET-73 \|Maverick ET-732 \|Super Fast [COLOR=DarkOrange]Orange[/COLOR] Thermapen \| BBQ Guru DigiQ \|Two 100 QT crawfish boiling rigs \| LEM Meat Grinder \| Grizzly Sausage Stuffer Smokin-n-Style BBQ Team - Pitmaster Lagniappe Chili Team - Head Cook KCBS CBJ

01-13-2013, 06:38 PM	#3
jketron Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 03-23-12 Location: Carlsbad, CA	I've read that and loved it, I second the vote for that reading. __________________ ------------------------------- John, KCBS CBJ Humphrey's Cubed Beast Backwoods Party G2, WSM 18/22 Grill of His Dreams #1 Rule of BBQ... Have fun :razz:

01-13-2013, 06:45 PM	#4
"Bone to Bark" BBQ Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 01-28-12 Location: Hagerstown, MD	1. Don't kill your self "over-preparing" 2. Do take your cooking seriously 3. Do ENJOY the experience 4. Don't finish DAL Those and a few other common sense things will make for a great time! __________________ Todd

01-13-2013, 07:29 PM	#6
jketron Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 03-23-12 Location: Carlsbad, CA	High Desert BBQ Showdown, Victorville CA Ive got Johnny's class and a few judgings before then to take in more knowledge __________________ ------------------------------- John, KCBS CBJ Humphrey's Cubed Beast Backwoods Party G2, WSM 18/22 Grill of His Dreams #1 Rule of BBQ... Have fun :razz:

01-13-2013, 07:09 PM	#5
Meat Man Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 10-08-11 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah	When and where is your first comp?

01-13-2013, 08:13 PM	#7
Meat Man Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 10-08-11 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah	I don't know if you have yet, but one thing that really helped me prepare for my first contest was actually doing a four meat cook. I only did one practice four meat cook, but it really helped me.

01-13-2013, 09:10 PM	#8
kenthanson is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 07-10-11 Location: Saskatoon, SK	DO NOT GET SH*TTY DRUNK ON FRIDAY NIGHT!!! That is all. __________________ @kenthanson @devilmademeqit Devil made me Q it BBQ team

01-13-2013, 09:24 PM	#9
JerryA On the road to being a farker Join Date: 08-29-10 Location: Corona, CA	Lots of time before your fist comp.. Practice your timing. Make sure you're happy with your 4 meats and then it's all about executing it at the comp. Most importantly make all your turn ins and have fun! __________________ Sponsored by: Loot N' Booty BBQ Sauces and Rubs Green Mountain Grills

01-13-2013, 09:26 PM	#10
jketron Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 03-23-12 Location: Carlsbad, CA	What are you folks using for hot water? Clean up water __________________ ------------------------------- John, KCBS CBJ Humphrey's Cubed Beast Backwoods Party G2, WSM 18/22 Grill of His Dreams #1 Rule of BBQ... Have fun :razz:

01-13-2013, 09:33 PM	#11
nucornhusker Babbling Farker Join Date: 08-29-11 Location: Lincoln, NE	I ran a full practice comp the week before to get my timing down and get one out of the way so to speak. I was more nervous when I did that, than when I actually competed. Being at a comp and the fun atmosphere, BBQ camaraderie and all that goes along with it, just made it so fun I didn't feel nervous, and I did well. But again, a full practice cook is a good idea. __________________ Yoder Smokers YS1500, Kamado Joe BigJoe & Joe Jr, IMBAS Certified MOINK Baller

01-14-2013, 12:41 AM	#14
altomari8868 On the road to being a farker Join Date: 09-12-10 Location: ST George, Ga	Three things: * Have a time line written down from when you arrive till when you leave. It was a huge help when I first started... * Stick with what you practiced. Do not get caught up changing because you heard or may have seen another team doing something. Write things down as you go and make changes when and if you need to when it is practice time. * Have fun and really take in the entire experience, call it a win for yourself if you do not finish D-A-L. Good luck and let us know how you did...

01-14-2013, 06:36 AM	#15
Hawg Father of Seoul is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 09-14-10 Location: Rogers, AR	Lots of good advice here, pay attention to the not getting drunk part. You are plenty prepared. If you can not pull it off now (with all that money spent) you never will. Good luck.