Setup / Teardown time

MikeJ65 · 03-30-2013, 12:02 PM

I work out of a 6 x 10 cargo trailer and am looking to minimize my setup and cleanup times. I am pretty well organized on the small items like rubs, thermos, knives, etc., but it seems like we make about 70 trips up and down the ramp for the bigger items like popups, extension cords, chairs, and tables.

I'm thinking about building a cart or two for these items, does anyone have some ideas they could share or other ideas to minimize the non-cooking work involved in a contest?

Cast Iron Chef · 03-30-2013, 12:44 PM

I use a 5x8 toy hauler as well. A lot of comps are on grass or gravel. Carts can be very difficult to use. I bring a two wheel dolly which helps minimize some trips. I also have about 5 plastic tubs where I keep electrical in one, cooking equipment in another and so on. This helps me find things quicker and also makes for less trips. I figure I wont really have an easier setup until I can afford an RV. Having a 18 year old son makes my life easier when he can go.

buttburnersbbq · 03-30-2013, 01:09 PM

Below is a rolling work bench I use. We installed a sink in he middle . You have a lot of drawers to carry all your needs. It is easy to roll. I found his at SAMs club for $400.00 . I was tired of having so many bins and set up. Now jus roll of trailer and ready to go.

image.jpg

bwsy2k · 03-30-2013, 01:23 PM

That is a really nice work bench, not sure if I can talk the wife into the cost.

Just Smokin' Around · 03-30-2013, 09:53 PM

Bin's can work well for fewer trips and easier storage. I use one set of plastic drawers - not quite the size of the one pictured. Put everything in the drawers, pack it away and your done. Home Depot has a decent one for about $60. You can put wheels on it. You can get cheaper ones.

If you're making 70 trips to put stuff away, you got too much stuff. We are always looking to take less. Look at what you're unpacking and packing back up at the end, but, not really using. Also, put things away as you go along, like put lights and sleeping gear away in the morning. One less thing to do after turn ins.

Mustanger · 03-30-2013, 09:56 PM

Hey buttburnersbbq ,

That is an absolutely fabulous work bench.

The price is very reasonable!

Ken
The Mustanger
Parkville, MO 64152

Slamdunkpro · 03-30-2013, 10:47 PM

Pack less. After 2 years I'm carrying about half the stuff I started with.

MikeJ65 · 03-31-2013, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Smokin' Around

If you're making 70 trips to put stuff away, you got too much stuff. We are always looking to take less. Look at what you're unpacking and packing back up at the end, but, not really using. Also, put things away as you go along, like put lights and sleeping gear away in the morning. One less thing to do after turn ins.

Well, it's probably not 70 trips, but I just have too many separate items. I think I'm going to make a cart for each end of my work table. One end will have a rack for foil, plastic wrap, butcher paper, gloves, and maybe hold my cambro. The other end might be for coolers, popups, and electrical. Each will have a rack plus a cabinet or drawer unit. My goal is to just roll two pits and two carts out of the trailer and be done unloading.

Most of what I take and don't use is backup stuff like my long extension cord, generator, inverter, and so on.

Rich Parker · 03-31-2013, 08:10 AM

When I competed with a 6 x 12, I had it setup so only the cooking was done outside which meant you only have to unload the cookers.

mad mike · 03-31-2013, 12:56 PM

reels help out alot, hose reels, cord reels
5 compartment bins that can sit on top of your table from walmart hold alot
do you have room in trailer to build a prep counter, I have in mine and its great, being inside keeps dust and other things out of your prep.

Ford · 03-31-2013, 01:20 PM

I got a 4 foot stainless table on heels at SAMs for less than $100. It has a shelf so I bought some 1/4 ply and boxed in 3 sides. Bought some plastic drawers (7) and have most everything I use. One for presentation, rubs, injection supplies, wrapping, tools, gloves and a misc. have room for my foil box as well. Got a knife box ( craftsman tool box ) that can go on table to roll out. I can do pretty much everything contest oriented on the table. Still need sinks but simple rolling table works there. Can make of wood with cut outs for sinks.

CBQ · 03-31-2013, 09:10 PM

Put everything on wheels, and just roll it in. The bins are resin, bolted to wire shelving that we equipped with pneumatic casters. Judging by the fly swatter, this was taken at New Paltz.

Code3BBQ · 03-31-2013, 10:16 PM

That's a great setup. Where did you get those Resin drawers?

MarleyMan · 04-01-2013, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBQ

Put everything on wheels, and just roll it in. The bins are resin, bolted to wire shelving that we equipped with pneumatic casters. Judging by the fly swatter, this was taken at New Paltz.

Very nice solution!

Gowan · 04-01-2013, 09:48 PM

I use the 24" D x 49" W x 35” H rolling table from Sam's with the stainless steel top. Not only is it the perfect height and work service for dealing with grease, sticky sauce and hot grates, if you shop around you can find cheap plastic drawer storage units that will fit on the wire shelf below.

The whole unit is still lightweight, but will hold all your knives, brushes, injectors and other small items. Total cost: way under $200.

03-30-2013, 12:02 PM	#1
MikeJ65 is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 09-03-12 Location: GRETNA	Setup / Teardown time I work out of a 6 x 10 cargo trailer and am looking to minimize my setup and cleanup times. I am pretty well organized on the small items like rubs, thermos, knives, etc., but it seems like we make about 70 trips up and down the ramp for the bigger items like popups, extension cords, chairs, and tables. I'm thinking about building a cart or two for these items, does anyone have some ideas they could share or other ideas to minimize the non-cooking work involved in a contest? __________________ Mike Chief Cook - When Pigs Die CBJ - KCBS

03-30-2013, 12:44 PM	#2
Cast Iron Chef is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 08-01-09 Location: Henderson, NV	I use a 5x8 toy hauler as well. A lot of comps are on grass or gravel. Carts can be very difficult to use. I bring a two wheel dolly which helps minimize some trips. I also have about 5 plastic tubs where I keep electrical in one, cooking equipment in another and so on. This helps me find things quicker and also makes for less trips. I figure I wont really have an easier setup until I can afford an RV. Having a 18 year old son makes my life easier when he can go. __________________ Paul 18.5 & (2) 22.5" WSM New Brumfield Offset Smoker/Grill 22.5" Weber One Touch Platinum [SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][COLOR=RoyalBlue]Genesis[/COLOR] 3 Gasser Bradley [/COLOR][/SIZE]Bisquette[SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000] Pooper Bullpen BBQ Team [/COLOR][/SIZE]

03-30-2013, 01:09 PM	#3
buttburnersbbq Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 03-19-12 Location: waxhaw,nc	Below is a rolling work bench I use. We installed a sink in he middle . You have a lot of drawers to carry all your needs. It is easy to roll. I found his at SAMs club for $400.00 . I was tired of having so many bins and set up. Now jus roll of trailer and ready to go. image.jpg __________________ 2- 22.5 WSM , 150 Gallon Offset , 250 Gallon Reverse Flow

03-30-2013, 09:53 PM	#5
Just Smokin' Around Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 11-13-07 Location: Frederick County, MD	Bin's can work well for fewer trips and easier storage. I use one set of plastic drawers - not quite the size of the one pictured. Put everything in the drawers, pack it away and your done. Home Depot has a decent one for about $60. You can put wheels on it. You can get cheaper ones. If you're making 70 trips to put stuff away, you got too much stuff. We are always looking to take less. Look at what you're unpacking and packing back up at the end, but, not really using. Also, put things away as you go along, like put lights and sleeping gear away in the morning. One less thing to do after turn ins. __________________ Bill Just Smokin' Around Competition BBQ Team BWS Fatboy, BWS Competitor Medium BGE, Weber Kettle and gasser, other toys

03-30-2013, 10:47 PM	#7
Slamdunkpro Babbling Farker Join Date: 02-27-07 Location: Northern VA	Pack less. After 2 years I'm carrying about half the stuff I started with. __________________ Aporkalypse Now Competition BBQ team Thanks to our sponsors: Wusthof Trident USA, Creekstone Farms, Myron Mixon Smokers & The BBQ Guru MABA 2014 Team of the Year Spicewine Tandem - "The Beast", 2 Vulcan V33's & 1 V9 Brinkman modified upright, Weber Kettle(s); Meadow Creek Pr-24, Super Stealth Mode black & Night Vision Red Thermopens ----------------- MABA - (Mid Atlantic BBQ Association) President KCBS Certified Judge - #23289

03-30-2013, 01:23 PM	#4
bwsy2k On the road to being a farker Join Date: 03-02-11 Location: Brooksville FLorida	That is a really nice work bench, not sure if I can talk the wife into the cost.

03-30-2013, 09:56 PM	#6
Mustanger Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 08-30-12 Location: Parkville, MO 64152	Hey buttburnersbbq , That is an absolutely fabulous work bench. The price is very reasonable! Ken The Mustanger Parkville, MO 64152

03-31-2013, 08:10 AM	#9
Rich Parker Babbling Farker Join Date: 06-20-09 Location: Grand Rapids, MI	When I competed with a 6 x 12, I had it setup so only the cooking was done outside which meant you only have to unload the cookers. __________________ Outlaw BBQ Smoker - TheBBQSuperstore.com

03-31-2013, 12:56 PM	#10
mad mike Found some matches. Join Date: 07-02-11 Location: indian head,md	reels help out alot, hose reels, cord reels 5 compartment bins that can sit on top of your table from walmart hold alot do you have room in trailer to build a prep counter, I have in mine and its great, being inside keeps dust and other things out of your prep.

03-31-2013, 01:20 PM	#11
Ford is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 04-14-07 Location: Lakeland Florida	I got a 4 foot stainless table on heels at SAMs for less than $100. It has a shelf so I bought some 1/4 ply and boxed in 3 sides. Bought some plastic drawers (7) and have most everything I use. One for presentation, rubs, injection supplies, wrapping, tools, gloves and a misc. have room for my foil box as well. Got a knife box ( craftsman tool box ) that can go on table to roll out. I can do pretty much everything contest oriented on the table. Still need sinks but simple rolling table works there. Can make of wood with cut outs for sinks. __________________ Ford Retired competition cook. BBQ mentor.

03-31-2013, 10:16 PM	#13
Code3BBQ Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 10-09-10 Location: St. Louis, Missouri	That's a great setup. Where did you get those Resin drawers? __________________ [SIZE="2"][/SIZE][FONT="Garamond"][/FONT][FONT="Verdana"][COLOR="DarkRed"][B]REBEL 28 Gateway Drum - Insane CAN Posse[/B][/COLOR][/FONT] Superfast [B][COLOR="Blue"]BLUE[/COLOR][/B] and [COLOR="DarkOrange"][B]ORANGE[/B][/COLOR] Thermanpens KCBS & SLBS Member

04-01-2013, 09:48 PM	#15
Gowan is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 08-08-07 Location: Cartersville, GA	I use the 24" D x 49" W x 35” H rolling table from Sam's with the stainless steel top. Not only is it the perfect height and work service for dealing with grease, sticky sauce and hot grates, if you shop around you can find cheap plastic drawer storage units that will fit on the wire shelf below. The whole unit is still lightweight, but will hold all your knives, brushes, injectors and other small items. Total cost: way under $200.