Cooking alone, any tips?

bbqdavarrow · 07-28-2012, 05:44 PM

First time I will doing a comp by myself, any tips or suggestions would be appreciated!

jaestar · 07-28-2012, 06:08 PM

I compete alone. The biggest thing for me is to keep everything organized. Not only your site, but also you timelines. Once I am done using something I put it back and I don't get things out until I need them. I have a set time when I do all of my meat prep, rubs, injections, etc. and when thing need to go on the smoker. If you have a smart phone, download a kitchen timer app or use multiple alarms on your phone. Try to prep as much as possible at home. I trim all my meat and have all my rubs, injections & sauces done Thursday night.

Uncle Buds BBQ · 07-28-2012, 06:52 PM

Don't forget that you put the brisket back into the smoker at 11am because you didn't think it had enough bark and then realize at 1:06 pm it is in the smoker instead of the Cambro.

Not that it happened to me.

Just sayin'

Podge · 07-28-2012, 07:27 PM

don't get drunk

Tack · 07-28-2012, 07:57 PM

have a timeline and FOLOW it. And do as much prep work at home as you can.

BigDaddyJT · 07-28-2012, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tack

have a timeline and FOLOW it. And do as much prep work at home as you can.

x2 Also remember to get sleep/rest. Enjoy the experience and don't stress.

JT

fnbish · 07-29-2012, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Podge

don't get drunk

Awesomely funny and very wise words at the same time

.

Having the butt and brisket done and holding a few hours before turn ins makes for less scrambling when turns ins happen and I'm messing with chicken and ribs.

TomB · 07-29-2012, 06:05 AM

A timeline is crucial. Make a spreadsheet (or in my case a table) of each meat and what needs to be done and at what time from injection to turn-in. I keep the timeline and a summary of the cooking process for each meat in plastic sleeves in a plastic binder near my prep table (plastic protects against my spilling and ruining my notes).

bbqdavarrow · 07-29-2012, 06:18 AM

I told my wife I am learning that the key is a timeline and stay organized, she said "than your screwed!"

TomB · 07-29-2012, 06:56 AM

Enlist her or someone else to help make boxes and turn them in. My wife a and daugher have helped me in the past (only two previous comps under my belt). My next comp is in August. Have a buddy joining me to help.

bbqdavarrow · 07-29-2012, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomB

Enlist her or someone else to help make boxes and turn them in. My wife a and daugher have helped me in the past (only two previous comps under my belt). My next comp is in August. Have a buddy joining me to help.

My wife and daughter quit the team last year! and all friends and buddies are busy hmmmm??? So I am looking forward to the new challenge

boogiesnap · 07-29-2012, 09:25 AM

dave, which event?

bbqdavarrow · 07-29-2012, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boogiesnap

dave, which event?

Sam's Club - Long Island Aug. 18th

boogiesnap · 07-29-2012, 10:11 AM

i see. i should be there too, if you need something holler. but you probably don't want me running your boxes.

Butt Rubb'n BBQ · 07-29-2012, 02:15 PM

The key thing is know your cooker. Make a few practice runs at home to see how long you can go without adding fuel to the cooker so you know how long you can sleep. Unless you have a fancy cooker that will go all day on one load of coal. I did some test runs with no meat on the smoker to learn mine. Get a cot or lounge chair to sleep on. If not the ants will love you. I slept on air matress on ground and woke up with 100 ant bites. Good luck and happy smoking!

07-28-2012, 05:44 PM	#1
bbqdavarrow On the road to being a farker Join Date: 06-30-06 Location: ansonia, ct Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Cooking alone, any tips? First time I will doing a comp by myself, any tips or suggestions would be appreciated! __________________ Dave Conti, RED PLANET BBQ, Ansonia, CT

07-28-2012, 06:08 PM	#2
jaestar On the road to being a farker Join Date: 06-01-11 Location: Adel, iA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I compete alone. The biggest thing for me is to keep everything organized. Not only your site, but also you timelines. Once I am done using something I put it back and I don't get things out until I need them. I have a set time when I do all of my meat prep, rubs, injections, etc. and when thing need to go on the smoker. If you have a smart phone, download a kitchen timer app or use multiple alarms on your phone. Try to prep as much as possible at home. I trim all my meat and have all my rubs, injections & sauces done Thursday night. __________________ Jaestar BBQ FEC100 XL BGE 22.5" WSM 18.5" WSM 22.5" Weber Kettle x2 500 Gallon UBS Bradley Smoker Super-fast Orange Thermapen

07-28-2012, 06:52 PM	#3
Uncle Buds BBQ is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 05-04-09 Location: Marietta, GA Downloads: 1 Uploads: 1	Don't forget that you put the brisket back into the smoker at 11am because you didn't think it had enough bark and then realize at 1:06 pm it is in the smoker instead of the Cambro. Not that it happened to me. Just sayin' __________________ Dave Pitmaster and KCBS CBJ

07-28-2012, 07:57 PM	#5
Tack Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 08-18-10 Location: Millville NJ Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	have a timeline and FOLOW it. And do as much prep work at home as you can. __________________ " Doesn't have any smoke taste. Chipotle taste is too dominant." Judge 6

07-29-2012, 06:05 AM	#8
TomB Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 02-07-10 Location: Des Moines, IA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	A timeline is crucial. Make a spreadsheet (or in my case a table) of each meat and what needs to be done and at what time from injection to turn-in. I keep the timeline and a summary of the cooking process for each meat in plastic sleeves in a plastic binder near my prep table (plastic protects against my spilling and ruining my notes). __________________ Tom Red Nose BBQ WSM 22.5" x 2 Weber Smokey Joe Weber Mini-WSM Weber Genesis gas grill Smokey Mountain gas smoker

07-28-2012, 07:27 PM	#4
Podge is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 09-25-06 Location: Elk Creek, Ky. Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	don't get drunk

07-29-2012, 06:18 AM	#9
bbqdavarrow On the road to being a farker Join Date: 06-30-06 Location: ansonia, ct Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I told my wife I am learning that the key is a timeline and stay organized, she said "than your screwed!" __________________ Dave Conti, RED PLANET BBQ, Ansonia, CT

07-29-2012, 06:56 AM	#10
TomB Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 02-07-10 Location: Des Moines, IA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Enlist her or someone else to help make boxes and turn them in. My wife a and daugher have helped me in the past (only two previous comps under my belt). My next comp is in August. Have a buddy joining me to help. __________________ Tom Red Nose BBQ WSM 22.5" x 2 Weber Smokey Joe Weber Mini-WSM Weber Genesis gas grill Smokey Mountain gas smoker

07-29-2012, 09:25 AM	#12
boogiesnap Babbling Farker Join Date: 04-22-10 Location: NEW ENGLAND Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	dave, which event? __________________ S'mo Q Competition BBQ Team Q so good you gotta have s'mo. Sponsored by Oakridge BBQ twin WSM 22.5's 48" DCS gasser certified MOINK baller farkanaut in training avatar by grillman CLICK HERE to visit the BBQ Brethren Throwdowns

07-29-2012, 10:11 AM	#14
boogiesnap Babbling Farker Join Date: 04-22-10 Location: NEW ENGLAND Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	i see. i should be there too, if you need something holler. but you probably don't want me running your boxes. __________________ S'mo Q Competition BBQ Team Q so good you gotta have s'mo. Sponsored by Oakridge BBQ twin WSM 22.5's 48" DCS gasser certified MOINK baller farkanaut in training avatar by grillman CLICK HERE to visit the BBQ Brethren Throwdowns

07-29-2012, 02:15 PM	#15
Butt Rubb'n BBQ Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 05-07-12 Location: Woodstock ga Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	The key thing is know your cooker. Make a few practice runs at home to see how long you can go without adding fuel to the cooker so you know how long you can sleep. Unless you have a fancy cooker that will go all day on one load of coal. I did some test runs with no meat on the smoker to learn mine. Get a cot or lounge chair to sleep on. If not the ants will love you. I slept on air matress on ground and woke up with 100 ant bites. Good luck and happy smoking!