Smokers for Competition advice

Fletch711 · 05-30-2012, 05:05 PM

I'm slightly embarrassed to post this, but here it goes. I plan on entering a small contest down here next March (yeah I'm way ahead of the game). Anyway, I am going to need to expand to some more smokers and want to get used to them prior to a competition.

I'm thinking of purchasing a BWS Chubby and bringing out my two Cypress Ceramics via a small Uhaul style trailer.

My main question is do you think I would do better spending a little more and buying a trailer unit? My main issue with a large trailer is I won't be able to cook on it often, and I think the BWS is small enough for the patio and combined with the others should give me enough cooking space to cook in two categories.

While I'm in it for the fun, I don't want to be laughed at. Any advice is welcome.

Thanks.

-- Fletch.

txschutte · 05-30-2012, 05:26 PM

I wouldn't worry a bit about what others think of your cookers. The proof is in the cooking. We walked our first time out with 2 drums, a WSM and a kettle. Got a 9th brisket. Let them laugh.

dmprantz · 05-30-2012, 05:51 PM

I would not advise buying a big smoker now for a competition next March, and I definitely wouldn't recommend a trailer unit for competition. With two Cypress grills, I would think you could cook two categories pretty easily unless one of them is moose. Identify how much food you want to cook and what your timeline is, and then plan accordingly. There are a lot of good cooks who win on WSMs and drums. This isn't to say that there's anything wrong with a Chubby, but before you drop a grand on one, I'd make sure that you need it. At that price point, I'd also check out the Onyx Oven. Good luck!

dmp

BBQchef33 · 05-30-2012, 06:21 PM

^^^^^^^^^
what he said.. high end smokers dont win competitions, cooks do. A BWS is great, but get it if you want it in general, not just for a comp.. u can win a competition on a couple smokey mountains.

tyotrain · 05-30-2012, 07:10 PM

Got some good advise

Goddahavit · 05-30-2012, 07:58 PM

I am in the other camp, if it was me and i was buying id look for a big enough cooker to cut down having to bring 2 other cookers, extended party, fatboy, gater. I know they cost more, but their are reasons winning teams like them.

they are also great for the patio, but i do agree with others only get one if you want it besides comps. you cant beat having capasity when you need it....

KC_Bobby · 05-30-2012, 08:25 PM

I have a BWS and like it. I also have a WSM and like it. If I bought the WSM prior to buying the BWS, I wouldn't own a BWS. I'd own a WSM 18 and a WSM 22.

Crash · 05-31-2012, 04:31 AM

Go with the WSM, easy to use and a good smoker to learn on.

JMHO....

jcpetro97 · 05-31-2012, 11:43 AM

We did a unsanctioned event last weekend for our first comp. Gonna do a full KCBS event next year, and will be using WSM's. They are nice because they are pretty easy to move around because they break down into 3 pieces. WE have a 22" and are looking to get one or two 18" cookers too..

Bigdog · 05-31-2012, 01:06 PM

If it were me, I'd make sure that whatever smoker I used, I knew it well and could control the results. Furthermore, I would be darn sure it could go 6-8 hours unattended soze I could get some shut eye.

Ford · 05-31-2012, 01:36 PM

Spicewine medium is excellent for competition with a maze and ball drain valve for air intake. Can do everything on one and still have a great backyard cooker for family events.

05-30-2012, 05:05 PM	#1
Fletch711 Is lookin for wood to cook with. Join Date: 06-28-11 Location: New Orleans, LA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Smokers for Competition advice I'm slightly embarrassed to post this, but here it goes. I plan on entering a small contest down here next March (yeah I'm way ahead of the game). Anyway, I am going to need to expand to some more smokers and want to get used to them prior to a competition. I'm thinking of purchasing a BWS Chubby and bringing out my two Cypress Ceramics via a small Uhaul style trailer. My main question is do you think I would do better spending a little more and buying a trailer unit? My main issue with a large trailer is I won't be able to cook on it often, and I think the BWS is small enough for the patio and combined with the others should give me enough cooking space to cook in two categories. While I'm in it for the fun, I don't want to be laughed at. Any advice is welcome. Thanks. -- Fletch. __________________ [SIZE=2][I][FONT=Arial]______________________________ [COLOR=Navy][COLOR=DarkRed]Bayou Classic Cypress Ceramic 22. 5 " Weber OTG Brinkman Smoke King Deluxe[/COLOR] [/COLOR] [SIZE=1] [SIZE=2]"Oh Lord please don't burn us don't kill or toast your flock Don't put us on the barbecue or simmer us in stock, Don't bake or baste or boil us or stir-fry us in a wok”[/SIZE][/SIZE][/FONT][/I][/SIZE]

05-30-2012, 05:26 PM	#2
txschutte Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 08-02-07 Location: Cozad, NE USA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I wouldn't worry a bit about what others think of your cookers. The proof is in the cooking. We walked our first time out with 2 drums, a WSM and a kettle. Got a 9th brisket. Let them laugh. __________________ "Bring it on, you bananna thong wearing killer of brisket!"-Chambers If you really care about this place, you'll show some respect for it. I'm such a ZERO. Team Whosoever Q If a man looks lustfully at eggs and bacon, he has already committed breakfast in his heart.

05-30-2012, 05:51 PM	#3
dmprantz is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 01-11-08 Location: Nashville Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I would not advise buying a big smoker now for a competition next March, and I definitely wouldn't recommend a trailer unit for competition. With two Cypress grills, I would think you could cook two categories pretty easily unless one of them is moose. Identify how much food you want to cook and what your timeline is, and then plan accordingly. There are a lot of good cooks who win on WSMs and drums. This isn't to say that there's anything wrong with a Chubby, but before you drop a grand on one, I'd make sure that you need it. At that price point, I'd also check out the Onyx Oven. Good luck! dmp __________________ The Beast - Custom Vertical Offset by Bates FEC-100 Large Big Green Egg® Weber Performer

05-30-2012, 06:21 PM	#4
BBQchef33 Grand Poobah and Site Admin Join Date: 08-11-03 Location: Long Island, NY Downloads: 10 Uploads: 4	^^^^^^^^^ what he said.. high end smokers dont win competitions, cooks do. A BWS is great, but get it if you want it in general, not just for a comp.. u can win a competition on a couple smokey mountains. __________________ Site Administrator and Grand PooBah CBJ with a Fuzzy Blue Hat, 18 Foot Competition Trailer, Customized Klose BYC, Custom Klose built MoAB (Mother of All Banderas) passed on to Big Dog, 1 Double Barreled Lang 84, 1 Heavily Modified Bionic Bandera, 1 Custom Super Medium Stickburning Spicewine w/stoker, 1 XL BGE, 1 Mini BGE, 1 Pit Barrel Cooker, 3 WSMs, 3 Weber Kettles, an NB Hondo, A Modified Brinkman Horizontal, DCS 48" Grill, a Broilmaster P3, a covered, pellet pooping FEC100, and our duck died. :( News Flash: "A mans worth is judged by the weight of his integrity " You know your getting older when you choose your cereal for the fiber, not the toy Smoke on KC. WWW.BBQ-BRETHREN.COM

05-30-2012, 07:10 PM	#5
tyotrain is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 04-09-12 Location: Madrid, NY Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	Got some good advise __________________ LOCKED-N-LOADED BBQ TEAM Sponsored by SummerHaven Pools, spas, fireplaces and grills www.locked-n-loadedbar-b-q.com Backwoods Maze XL Green Egg Large Green Egg Backwoods G2 Party 22.5 WSM BBQ Guru

05-30-2012, 07:58 PM	#6
Goddahavit Take a breath! Join Date: 08-18-08 Location: PA, Fleetwood Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I am in the other camp, if it was me and i was buying id look for a big enough cooker to cut down having to bring 2 other cookers, extended party, fatboy, gater. I know they cost more, but their are reasons winning teams like them. they are also great for the patio, but i do agree with others only get one if you want it besides comps. you cant beat having capasity when you need it.... __________________ Fire & Spice Cook Team Backwoods Authorized Dealer fireandspicebbq@gmail.com Backyard Jambo Backwoods Gater Stump's Stretch Bubba Keg Meadowcreek PR60 Weber WSM Old weber gasser

05-30-2012, 08:25 PM	#7
KC_Bobby Babbling Farker Join Date: 05-03-07 Location: Gardner KS Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I have a BWS and like it. I also have a WSM and like it. If I bought the WSM prior to buying the BWS, I wouldn't own a BWS. I'd own a WSM 18 and a WSM 22. __________________ Boondoggle BBQ Country Smokers 450 Weber Smokey Mountain 18" Proud KCBS Member & Certified Judge

05-31-2012, 04:31 AM	#8
Crash is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 10-29-08 Location: Kailua, HI (Oahu) Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Go with the WSM, easy to use and a good smoker to learn on. JMHO.... __________________ Crash - HIBarbeque.com

05-31-2012, 11:43 AM	#9
jcpetro97 Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 05-29-11 Location: Rochester, NY Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	We did a unsanctioned event last weekend for our first comp. Gonna do a full KCBS event next year, and will be using WSM's. They are nice because they are pretty easy to move around because they break down into 3 pieces. WE have a 22" and are looking to get one or two 18" cookers too..

05-31-2012, 01:06 PM	#10
Bigdog somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 09-17-03 Location: Wichita, Kansas Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	If it were me, I'd make sure that whatever smoker I used, I knew it well and could control the results. Furthermore, I would be darn sure it could go 6-8 hours unattended soze I could get some shut eye. __________________ Bigdog Weber Platinum Kettle, Weber OTS, Meco square grill, ECB, a WSM, a cool fold up camping grill, a Blackstone flat top camping stove, The MOAB, and now the proud owner of a YS640, MOINK. Smoke on Brother KC Father of the Fatty (the name) 4/20/04 on the BBQ Brethren with inspiration from Brother parrothead.

05-31-2012, 01:36 PM	#11
Ford is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 04-14-07 Location: Lakeland Florida Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Spicewine medium is excellent for competition with a maze and ball drain valve for air intake. Can do everything on one and still have a great backyard cooker for family events. __________________ Ford Owner/Head Cook/Chief Bottle Washer for Great Lakes BBQ & Feed Competition BBQ Team FBA Member, KCBS Member & KCBS Certified BBQ Judge Spicewine medium, weber kettle, gas grill