TheDeuce
Full Fledged Farker
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2015
- Location
- Columbus...
All hobbies cost money whether it's cars, racing, guns, guitars, fishing, etc.
Cost of competing in BBQ
- Thread starter spartanag
- Start date
All hobbies cost money whether it's cars, racing, guns, guitars, fishing, etc.
spartanag
Found some matches.
I really appreciate all the feedback. I'm sure it will be helpful not only for me, but others that are curious about competing...even if it is just in a limited capacity.
- Joined
- Sep 5, 2013
- Location
- Auckland...
How would the figures look if instead of fuel, you put in an amount based on the per mile rate from the IRS - 54.5 cents/mile. This would factor in some other costs that may make these cost estimates more useful. Just a thought.
gettinbasted
is Blowin Smoke!
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2012
- Location
- Springfi...
I’ve been profitable for about 4 years now. My take from winnings/sponsorships/ classes will approach 6 figures this year after expenses. This doesn’t include my 2 restaurants which are a direct result of competition BBQ.
I don’t mean this as a brag, but as a testament to the possible if you’re willing to dedicate yourself, you have the passion, and you work your ass off.
I started out cooking 6 events in 2012 and I’ve been blessed with tremendous support from my family. It’s a lonely road and the bad part is that it takes a blind investment to succeed. You have to spend the money to cook, a lot, upfront in order to get to the rewards.
I don’t mean this as a brag, but as a testament to the possible if you’re willing to dedicate yourself, you have the passion, and you work your ass off.
I started out cooking 6 events in 2012 and I’ve been blessed with tremendous support from my family. It’s a lonely road and the bad part is that it takes a blind investment to succeed. You have to spend the money to cook, a lot, upfront in order to get to the rewards.
Barefoot BBQ
Knows what a fatty is.
- Joined
- May 27, 2014
- Location
- Columbus...
Not much more than others
Brisket is $258 landed cost from SRF
Ribs from Compart end up at $25ish per times 4
Same with Butts. 4 for $190
Chicken is 24 seems to be $30-40 every time.
Throw in some Compart freight and $600 is the money.
It could be cut back a bit, but buying higher quality has made a difference in scores. I need any and all the help possible.
Brisket is $258 landed cost from SRF
Ribs from Compart end up at $25ish per times 4
Same with Butts. 4 for $190
Chicken is 24 seems to be $30-40 every time.
Throw in some Compart freight and $600 is the money.
It could be cut back a bit, but buying higher quality has made a difference in scores. I need any and all the help possible.
masque13
is one Smokin' Farker
- Joined
- May 19, 2014
- Location
- Somerset...
That is truly awesome! Congrats and I tip my hat to you. I would love to be in a position to dig in and take my shot at this as well but just too many outside factors at this point in my life to take that kind of risk.
And I don’t know how many teams realize this, but I came to realize a couple of seasons ago that guys like me can’t really compete with guys like you week in and week out. Sure, can I have a real good cook and land on a couple of good tables and beat you or someone like you in a category or two? Yes. Can I even maybe have a great overall cook and possibly finish higher at a comp overall than you? Perhaps.
But to truly be great at something requires commitment and time and practice to create great skill. Folks that are cooking 35 plus contests per year and doing restaurants and or catering on the side will fire up their smokers more in a month than I will all year. I have come to accept that guys like me are there at contests to fill out the field and make sure there is plenty of prize money for guys like you to take home. Lol. I realize that if I truly want to be able to compete on the circuit more consistently then it’s on me to find a way to fire my smokers up more and practice more to increase my skill level.
But you know what? I love being at contests, I love the whole BBQ culture. And even though I know we are fighting long odds of winning at most contests, I still love doing it. We’ve had enough success to know that we are gonna eventually pop a grand at some contest in the future and that will feel wonderful. But I also know that will never be the norm for us because of time limitations and quality of competition from folks like you.
In the end it’s al good because I just love being around it and meeting great folks and learning all the time. And I never resent being at contests with teams that compete all the time. I actually love being in tough fields at comps because I love trying to match up against them and see if I can pull the upset. Lol. I have tremendous respect for people that do this all the time like you do. It’s damn hard work and you’ve found a way to make it work for you! Very cool indeed.
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BigThicket
Full Fledged Farker
It wasn't a judgement. Just a question. :wink:
BigThicket
Full Fledged Farker
That's awesome. Congratulations!
cpw
Babbling Farker
That's damn impressive. We're happy if we break even for the year!
Porcine Perfection
is One Chatty Farker
Very well stated and my feelings exactly. I have followed "Basted" since their first Rock n' Ribs and Brad's team has done a remarkable job. That being said, they are the exception rather the rule. I honestly think that if you want to be financially successful at comps you need to be all in and make it your lifestyle and livelihood. .
FashionBiff
Full Fledged Farker
Ron thanks for posting the quantities that was going to be my question. I was surprised that you cook three Butts I figured 2 but I was also thinking 6 racks so there ya go. Thanks again
After 10yrs of competing in 100+ comps, I decided to count the cost but quickly stopped when I realized how much it was. Between entry fees, meat and supplies, traveling expenses, classes, 4 Jambos, 2 Deep Souths, 1 Southern Q, 2 Backwoods, 1 Humphrey’s, 2 Gateways, 1 Victory, 1 Outlaw, a 5th wheel toyhauler, a cook trailer, 2 trucks, a rub start up and probably many things forgotten....I probably could have invested instead and retired by now. But it sure was fun and I’ve met a lot of great folks some of which will be friends for the rest of my life. Next year I plan to spend -0- on Comp BBQ but it is an addiction that’s hard to kick.
Serious Hog
Knows what a fatty is.
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2013
- Location
- SPRING...
For those interested in trying comp BBQ but getting discouraged by this thread, realize that most/all of the cost estimates on here are for sanctioned Pro contests.There are other less expensive options like KCBS Backyard events, unsanctioned events, and rib cookoffs.
We are cooking a Chicken/Ribs/Pork contest at a county fair this weekend and will definitely have less than $500 in it for entry fees, meats, ingredients, gas, and other assorted supplies combined. Doing another Competitor Series event later in the month, same deal.
Also don't feel like you need to take classes and buy a bunch of fancy smokers or trailers to get in on the fun, many successful teams do it with a popup tent and a couple WSMs. Find a local contest, bring what you got and give it a whirl. You'll have a blast and meet some of the greatest folks you've ever known. Smoke on!
We are cooking a Chicken/Ribs/Pork contest at a county fair this weekend and will definitely have less than $500 in it for entry fees, meats, ingredients, gas, and other assorted supplies combined. Doing another Competitor Series event later in the month, same deal.
Also don't feel like you need to take classes and buy a bunch of fancy smokers or trailers to get in on the fun, many successful teams do it with a popup tent and a couple WSMs. Find a local contest, bring what you got and give it a whirl. You'll have a blast and meet some of the greatest folks you've ever known. Smoke on!
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You absolutely don't have to do the things I did to enjoy competition but it's what I chose to do. To each his own.
midwest_kc
is one Smokin' Farker
This is definitely true. A lot of KCBS Backyard comps are 2 meats - Chicken/ribs and one day events.
Even though we never did backyard, we definitely eased into it. We started doing 5 or less a year, and then grew as we improved/got more hooked. There are lots of ways that you can make it relatively affordable until you decide that you want to be broke because you were standing over a fire in a 100* parking lot.
masque13
is one Smokin' Farker
- Joined
- May 19, 2014
- Location
- Somerset...
while i do agree that back yard events are typically cheaper, I think it is important that most folks realize that you do this because you want to be a part of it......not because you plan to make money. even back yard events I have done run around $450-$500 to do........and the last one we did we won $500....nice to "break even"......oh yeh, I forgot, I blew a tire on my trailer heading to the event and had to buy a new one and that cost me about $130. LOL......so in reality, even in that event I lost money participating.
and while I also agree that classes aren't "necessary" to participate, I do think it is virtually impossible to get to the level of actually being able to win a GC with a legitimate field without expediting the learning curve through classes......unless your goal is strictly just to be there and "participate".......however, I think most people really get into this "sport" to hear their name called and take those walks. so if you are a competitive person then spending $500-$1200 per contest to never get a walk will get old super super fast.
Serious Hog
Knows what a fatty is.
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2013
- Location
- SPRING...
awesome.
West River BBQ
Full Fledged Farker
So, doing the math if I were to compete five times a year I would be spending about $4000 to $5000 until I started winning, which would likely results in a few hundred dollars? I'm competitive but WOW!
I'm gearing up for this competition stuff but at the same time telling myself It's like gambling at the casino, only spend the money if your willing to loose it and have a good time in the process. Who knows, I just MIGHT win something.
Serious Hog
Knows what a fatty is.
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2013
- Location
- SPRING...
It all depends what your goal is. If you plan to buy top quality briskets and other meats to compete at the KCBS pro-level, then yes you could easily end up spending that kind of money. But there are all kinds of different barbecue competitions out there you can do, depending on where you live.
County fairs, rib cook-offs, steak cook-offs, and any number of local events. We compete in a comp held small town grocery store every year. It's a 4 meat contest that a lot of pro teams compete in and is one of our favorite events, doesn't cost anywhere near that kind of money.
If you're only planning to do four or five events a year, I would look into some of these kind of options.
