TailGateJoecom
is one Smokin' Farker
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2010
- Location
- NYC &...
Hey guys, been reading this site for a while, and taking some classes.
I run a pretty large NFL fan club/tailgate party that sees 250-350 people per game. Generally, I cook on some big ass propane grills, you can see which ones in my sig. I mostly do grill items for these events, not slow and low bbq, due to time constraints of NFL tailgating guidelines.
When I do smoke, I usually use my WSM, although i know it goes against everyone's beliefs around here I have used my Crown Veritys with smoker box attachments to turn out some decent pulled pork. MY problem is the WSM doesn't have the capacity I need when I make dishes for my tailgate parties. I need something bigger, and easier to use in the winter, especially since I like to go hot and fast at 300-325 sometimes.
ALSO...
Like I said in the beginning, I have been taking classes, and I am planning on doing a bunch of comps this spring/summer, most likely the NY state ones for the most part and see how that goes by the end of the summer. I would like a good smoker that I could use for both decent volume cooking as well as comp bbq.
I am pretty sure I want a vertical smoker, and I want it to be insulated. I have a 7.5x16 trailer already, so I can haul whatever I get for comps. So far I am leaning heavily to the FEC120 and the Pitmaker Vault. Quality and durability are very important, and aesthetics do matter a little too, especially for the tailgate parties.
I know the stigma of "pellet poopers" with the FEC120, but I like the ease of use for cooking ahead of gameday when I am so busy getting everything else ready. It would be really nice to pop in a bunch of butts and have them ready when I wake up at 6am on Sunday, ready to go fresh from the smoker. The FEC120 is my choice if I lead more toward the tailgate portion of my needs I think.
The Pitmaker looks like an amazingly well built pit, and with one of those paint jobs and graphics would look great at my parties. I think this one would get the edge for comps as it would have better smoke density and while not as simple to set and forget as the FEC, is still pretty easy to work with as it is very efficient.
So, anyone have any thoughts either way?
I run a pretty large NFL fan club/tailgate party that sees 250-350 people per game. Generally, I cook on some big ass propane grills, you can see which ones in my sig. I mostly do grill items for these events, not slow and low bbq, due to time constraints of NFL tailgating guidelines.
When I do smoke, I usually use my WSM, although i know it goes against everyone's beliefs around here I have used my Crown Veritys with smoker box attachments to turn out some decent pulled pork. MY problem is the WSM doesn't have the capacity I need when I make dishes for my tailgate parties. I need something bigger, and easier to use in the winter, especially since I like to go hot and fast at 300-325 sometimes.
ALSO...
Like I said in the beginning, I have been taking classes, and I am planning on doing a bunch of comps this spring/summer, most likely the NY state ones for the most part and see how that goes by the end of the summer. I would like a good smoker that I could use for both decent volume cooking as well as comp bbq.
I am pretty sure I want a vertical smoker, and I want it to be insulated. I have a 7.5x16 trailer already, so I can haul whatever I get for comps. So far I am leaning heavily to the FEC120 and the Pitmaker Vault. Quality and durability are very important, and aesthetics do matter a little too, especially for the tailgate parties.
I know the stigma of "pellet poopers" with the FEC120, but I like the ease of use for cooking ahead of gameday when I am so busy getting everything else ready. It would be really nice to pop in a bunch of butts and have them ready when I wake up at 6am on Sunday, ready to go fresh from the smoker. The FEC120 is my choice if I lead more toward the tailgate portion of my needs I think.
The Pitmaker looks like an amazingly well built pit, and with one of those paint jobs and graphics would look great at my parties. I think this one would get the edge for comps as it would have better smoke density and while not as simple to set and forget as the FEC, is still pretty easy to work with as it is very efficient.
So, anyone have any thoughts either way?