Spicewine or FEC 100

Todd Ras · 08-23-2011, 12:50 PM

I'm debating between the two to purchase for next years BBQ comp season. We don't do a ton of them 5-6 a year tops, but would like to either get a medium custom Spicewine or a FEC 100 to cut down on what we carry to comps. I cook at home as well, so I would want something that's easy and good for both.

Our team cooks on 4 WSM now, but we wanted to get something a little larger. I know the Spicewine folks post on here (and as a Mizzou fan..that's a plus and i'm not too far from Columbia) but wanted to see if anyone had any opinions on either model good or bad.

A few questions comp related:

1) With power sources always an issue at comps and we don't currently have a generator, if we got the FEC 100 should we purchace a battery back up. I think Durcell makes a model.

2) For the Spicewine guys....is a Medium model enough room for comp cooking or do we need a larger model for the brisket, butts and ribs?

Any advice would be appreciated.

AZScott · 08-23-2011, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd Ras

A few questions comp related:

1) With power sources always an issue at comps and we don't currently have a generator, if we got the FEC 100 should we purchace a battery back up. I think Durcell makes a model.

I use a marine battery from Walmart with a Zantrax inverter to power the FEC as well as a couple of lights. I've never had an issue with it. One time I had to scramble since the battery didn't have a chance to charge much before leaving home. I did some serious scrambling when I found out the gang box near me wasn't working when the battery died. Regardless, I wouldn't seriously consider another cooker.

Slamdunkpro · 08-23-2011, 01:31 PM

Spend the extra few hundred and get a super medium Spice.

MoKanMeathead · 08-23-2011, 02:17 PM

Todd, I would get a FEC 100. Both are good smokers but I fell that the FEC would provide a more consistent temp for a longer period of time. You guys have a lot of team members so the FEC would allow for more partying (or sleeping)!!

Podge · 08-23-2011, 02:31 PM

Hell, buy a Jambo, seems everyone and their mother is getting one.

Todd Ras · 08-23-2011, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoKanMeathead

Todd, I would get a FEC 100. Both are good smokers but I fell that the FEC would provide a more consistent temp for a longer period of time. You guys have a lot of team members so the FEC would allow for more partying (or sleeping)!!

You know us to well!

Sawdustguy · 08-23-2011, 03:22 PM

A Spicewine with a BBQ Guru can run for well more than a day without tending. This cooker will last forever.

MilitantSquatter · 08-23-2011, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sawdustguy

A Spicewine with a BBQ Guru can run for well more than a day without tending. This cooker will last forever.

I agree.

ique · 08-23-2011, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sawdustguy

A Spicewine with a BBQ Guru can run for well more than a day without tending. This cooker will last forever.

What is the max temp you can bring a spicewine up to?

Butcher BBQ · 08-23-2011, 04:14 PM

I will place a vote on getting FEC 100's. We do several comps a year and we do run with a battery backup. If your going to do just a few a year you can get set up and running pretty quick.

JiveTurkey · 08-23-2011, 04:25 PM

I've never cooked on a pellet unit but I do have a Med Spicewine and I love it. It holds steady temps all night and if I want to use water I can, if not I don't, I like having the choice. Charcoal is cheap and plentiful so it's cheap to run. It can burn sticks too if you want to get adventurous. And of course it will last forfreakinever.

It's more than enough space for comps but be warned people will stop you a lot to ask about it. They draw lots of attention.

Capn Kev · 08-23-2011, 04:43 PM

I will add another vote for an FEC-100. Not sure what the Spicewine weighs in at, but the FEC-100 rolls off my trailer (via a ramp) fairly easily and I can use it at home when I'm not cooking comps. It has locking caster wheels that makes it relatively easy to move (I'm a big guy). Plus, I love the sheer ease of use. I like my sleep.

Slamdunkpro · 08-23-2011, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ique

What is the max temp you can bring a spicewine up to?

I've had mine up to 425

Solidkick · 08-23-2011, 06:04 PM

A Spicewine, with a charcoal basket, will go all night just fine. now, me being the ever cautious Diddler,who watches his pit temp like a hawk, still gets up to check it, but I wouldn't need to. They are heavy, so i hope you are young! Just to set the record straight, my Spicewine has 4 GCs and like 6 or 7 RGCs. And we cook an average of 6 contests a year.

FECs are good cookers as well, so you really won't go wrong with either. good luck with your decision!

ique · 08-23-2011, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slamdunkpro

I've had mine up to 425

OK, someone was telling me recently that the Spice was difficult to get above typical bbq temps.

08-23-2011, 12:50 PM	#1
Todd Ras On the road to being a farker Join Date: 08-19-08 Location: Spring Hill, KS	Spicewine or FEC 100 I'm debating between the two to purchase for next years BBQ comp season. We don't do a ton of them 5-6 a year tops, but would like to either get a medium custom Spicewine or a FEC 100 to cut down on what we carry to comps. I cook at home as well, so I would want something that's easy and good for both. Our team cooks on 4 WSM now, but we wanted to get something a little larger. I know the Spicewine folks post on here (and as a Mizzou fan..that's a plus and i'm not too far from Columbia) but wanted to see if anyone had any opinions on either model good or bad. A few questions comp related: 1) With power sources always an issue at comps and we don't currently have a generator, if we got the FEC 100 should we purchace a battery back up. I think Durcell makes a model. 2) For the Spicewine guys....is a Medium model enough room for comp cooking or do we need a larger model for the brisket, butts and ribs? Any advice would be appreciated. __________________ Todd Ras www.acabbq.com A Cut Above BBQ

08-23-2011, 01:31 PM	#3
Slamdunkpro Babbling Farker Join Date: 02-27-07 Location: Northern VA	Spend the extra few hundred and get a super medium Spice. __________________ 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

08-23-2011, 03:22 PM	#7
Sawdustguy Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 09-14-05 Location: Vernon, Connecticut	A Spicewine with a BBQ Guru can run for well more than a day without tending. This cooker will last forever. __________________ Guy (Pitmaster) BBQ Team: Lawn Guyland Smokers Stupidity for Dummies …because sometimes, you just can’t dumb it down enough…

08-23-2011, 04:14 PM	#10
Butcher BBQ is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 07-03-07 Location: Chandler,OK	I will place a vote on getting FEC 100's. We do several comps a year and we do run with a battery backup. If your going to do just a few a year you can get set up and running pretty quick. __________________ www.ButcherBBQ.com "Trust Your Butcher" Often Imitated, but never Duplicated

08-23-2011, 04:25 PM	#11
JiveTurkey is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 09-21-09 Location: San Jose, Ca Name/Nickname : JT	I've never cooked on a pellet unit but I do have a Med Spicewine and I love it. It holds steady temps all night and if I want to use water I can, if not I don't, I like having the choice. Charcoal is cheap and plentiful so it's cheap to run. It can burn sticks too if you want to get adventurous. And of course it will last forfreakinever. It's more than enough space for comps but be warned people will stop you a lot to ask about it. They draw lots of attention. __________________ Rec Tec RT700 Klose 20x30 Weber Performer

08-23-2011, 02:17 PM	#4
MoKanMeathead is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 05-02-05 Location: Grain Valley, MO	Todd, I would get a FEC 100. Both are good smokers but I fell that the FEC would provide a more consistent temp for a longer period of time. You guys have a lot of team members so the FEC would allow for more partying (or sleeping)!!

08-23-2011, 02:31 PM	#5
Podge is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 09-25-06 Location: Elk Creek, Ky.	Hell, buy a Jambo, seems everyone and their mother is getting one.

08-23-2011, 04:43 PM	#12
Capn Kev is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 12-08-09 Location: Littleton, CO	I will add another vote for an FEC-100. Not sure what the Spicewine weighs in at, but the FEC-100 rolls off my trailer (via a ramp) fairly easily and I can use it at home when I'm not cooking comps. It has locking caster wheels that makes it relatively easy to move (I'm a big guy). Plus, I love the sheer ease of use. I like my sleep. __________________ [SIZE=2]Kevin [B]Swinestone Cowboys BBQ Team[/B] FEC-100, REC TEC Grill, WSM 22.5", UDS, KCBS CBJ #54829 [/SIZE]

08-23-2011, 06:04 PM	#14
Solidkick somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 10-21-03 Location: Bandera Owner in Missouri	A Spicewine, with a charcoal basket, will go all night just fine. now, me being the ever cautious Diddler,who watches his pit temp like a hawk, still gets up to check it, but I wouldn't need to. They are heavy, so i hope you are young! Just to set the record straight, my Spicewine has 4 GCs and like 6 or 7 RGCs. And we cook an average of 6 contests a year. FECs are good cookers as well, so you really won't go wrong with either. good luck with your decision! __________________ Mr. Kick ------------------------------------------------ *Belly Brothers BBQ Team* "Sister Flame" Spicewine Trailer Smoker,Modified Bandera, Uni-Flame Chicken Cooker with a Spicewine Thermometer mod,Kingsford Barrel cooker and a super fast RED thermapen KC always said "fat cap up!!