trueque
Full Fledged Farker
- Joined
- May 17, 2010
- Location
- Chesterf...
Hot Sauce Hoss,
Short Answer
I just completed my first comp season and recommend getting a mentor, help a team at a comp or two, do a test comp in the backyard, take a lot of notes and gear up as needed. If possible, rent first and buy only what you need. Spend your money once!
Long Answer
About this time last year, I was in a similar position as you now. After a couple of years of practicing in the backyard, I wanted to compete. I had a Traeger, a Weber OTG, no truck, no trailer and no idea how to gear up for a competition. Additionally, I have herniated disks, so I was concerned that I may not be able to keep up physically and wanted to know before spending a lot of money on this new hobby.
In February 2010, I ended up contacting a team I had met a couple years back at a local comp my son and I were checking out and asked them if they needed a hand or would be willing to mentor me. Shannon with H*QUE was gracious enough to bring me and my son along to four comps. It not only gave me the confidence that I could physically keep up, but also gave me an idea of how a comp schedule runs.
In April, I put on a test comp in my backyard, took notes on everything ... gear, time, meats and timing. I staged in my yard and if I crossed the patio into the house for anything, I noted it for my next shopping trips. I invited my mentor and other competitors to come judge my turn-ins KCBS style. I got great feedback, both positive and negative, that helped me prepare.
By this time, I had added a WSM 22 as well.
In May, I bought a two year old truck, added another WSM 22 and rented a 4x8 cargo trailer for our first comp. My son and I slept on the grass, we had fun, took more notes and made friends too.
Never stop optimizing, reorganizing and eliminating as needed.
In June, after looking around for a couple of months, I found a great deal on a three year old 26 foot toy hauler. This is our sleeping quarters as well as garage for everything. It works very well for us, keeping us dry, cool or warm as needed and clean. At this point, I load up the coolers in the back of the truck, hitch up the trailer and head out.
The bed in the back folds up against the wall for my smokers.
Setup, cleanup and breakdown are getting easier each comp.
Barbecue has become a passion, competing is a lot of fun and just as much work, but it does not feel like work at all. I have met some of the best people in the barbecue community and would not trade this experience for anything.
Best of luck to you!
Short Answer
I just completed my first comp season and recommend getting a mentor, help a team at a comp or two, do a test comp in the backyard, take a lot of notes and gear up as needed. If possible, rent first and buy only what you need. Spend your money once!
Long Answer
About this time last year, I was in a similar position as you now. After a couple of years of practicing in the backyard, I wanted to compete. I had a Traeger, a Weber OTG, no truck, no trailer and no idea how to gear up for a competition. Additionally, I have herniated disks, so I was concerned that I may not be able to keep up physically and wanted to know before spending a lot of money on this new hobby.
In February 2010, I ended up contacting a team I had met a couple years back at a local comp my son and I were checking out and asked them if they needed a hand or would be willing to mentor me. Shannon with H*QUE was gracious enough to bring me and my son along to four comps. It not only gave me the confidence that I could physically keep up, but also gave me an idea of how a comp schedule runs.
In April, I put on a test comp in my backyard, took notes on everything ... gear, time, meats and timing. I staged in my yard and if I crossed the patio into the house for anything, I noted it for my next shopping trips. I invited my mentor and other competitors to come judge my turn-ins KCBS style. I got great feedback, both positive and negative, that helped me prepare.
By this time, I had added a WSM 22 as well.
In May, I bought a two year old truck, added another WSM 22 and rented a 4x8 cargo trailer for our first comp. My son and I slept on the grass, we had fun, took more notes and made friends too.
Never stop optimizing, reorganizing and eliminating as needed.
In June, after looking around for a couple of months, I found a great deal on a three year old 26 foot toy hauler. This is our sleeping quarters as well as garage for everything. It works very well for us, keeping us dry, cool or warm as needed and clean. At this point, I load up the coolers in the back of the truck, hitch up the trailer and head out.
The bed in the back folds up against the wall for my smokers.
Setup, cleanup and breakdown are getting easier each comp.
Barbecue has become a passion, competing is a lot of fun and just as much work, but it does not feel like work at all. I have met some of the best people in the barbecue community and would not trade this experience for anything.
Best of luck to you!
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