Watching BBQ Pitmasters and got a question

[va_connoisseur]

This may have been asked but I'll put it out there...

Watching the show with my girl and she asked the question: how can the people using the electronic devices and smoker be consider on the same level as those burning just sticks?

My response was: it's all legal in competitions.

Her response: isn't maintaining fire and smoke part of being a true bbq'er? That's like using an oven with a smoke generator.

I got nothing. How say you?

[cheapbeer]

why dont you find an old woodburning oven and tell her that you will be getting rid of the modern kitchen stove so she can cook on the same level that great grandmothers did............

[Blanton]

Ok, now that we have that response out of the way, I would just offer that that tool alone doesn't make the bbq, but it is what the cook does.

[bluzieq]

Cheapbeer that's funnier than hell.

[J-Rod]

Different tools can be used to do the same job I s'pose... that said, I like fire.

Edit- sounds like your lady friend has a clue!

[boogiesnap]

as a cooker, i think anybody who doesn't know how to burn sticks would agree it's a true art and real skill. wish i could do it.

as a competitor, i'd ask who's the fool, the guy who goes to the hotel room while the food cooks itself or the guy who gets to tend his fire all night.

well, the answer is, it's all in what you LIKE to do.

nothing more, nothing less.

[marubozo]

The cooker doesn't matter. It's all about how much brown sugar, honey, butter, and other crap you can pack into the foil pouch while it steams to perfection.

[jimstocks53]

She's right - there is something fun about watching fire management especially when it goes awry (not that I am unsympathetic). With all the electronics these comps sometimes seem to hinge on whether they brought spare batteries or a long enough extension cord. I do not argue that either way you had better know your Q.

But on another note.....Can't remember where I saw this but I have to agree - the current format sucks. Compared to watching a real BBQ competition as in the original program now Pitmasters has turned into a sad made up drama reality TV series. They've lost me.

[boogiesnap]

Originally Posted by marubozo

The cooker doesn't matter. It's all about how much brown sugar, honey, butter, and other crap you can pack into the foil pouch while it steams to perfection.

do you compete?

[J-Rod]

Originally Posted by jimstocks53

She's right - there is something fun about watching fire management especially when it goes awry (not that I am unsympathetic). With all the electronics these comps sometimes seem to hinge on whether they brought spare batteries or a long enough extension cord. I do not argue that either way you had better know your Q.

But on another note.....Can't remember where I saw this but I have to agree - the current format sucks. Compared to watching a real BBQ competition as in the original program now Pitmasters has turned into a sad made up drama reality TV series. They've lost me.

Couldn't agree more. I guess nowadays drama sells, but I ain't buyin'.

[marubozo]

Originally Posted by boogiesnap

do you compete?

I have, and have won a few trophies and money, but it just isn't my thing. I know that's what it takes to win competition style BBQ, but I don't have to agree with it or like cooking that way.

[cheapbeer]

Originally Posted by bluzieq

Cheapbeer that's funnier than hell.

What sparked that response was remembering my late Uncle Bill buying a wood stove for their cabin and my Aunt being dissatisfied and saying there was no way in hell she would cook on that thing.
I would like to have a stick burner to play with when I have time to monitor it but when I am busy the guru comes out. The exception being that I trust my uds to maintain temps for extended periods.
There is just something drawing me in that direction......... Perhaps a yearning for simplicity.....

[boogiesnap]

Originally Posted by marubozo

I have, and have won a few trophies and money, but it just isn't my thing. I know that's what it takes to win competition style BBQ, but I don't have to agree with it or like cooking that way.

fair enough. maybe it is what it takes, maybe it's not. but no need to poo poo it just because it's not your thing.

[marubozo]

Originally Posted by boogiesnap

fair enough. maybe it is what it takes, maybe it's not. but no need to poo poo it just because it's not your thing.

Well, to be fair, I should have used a sarcasm tag or smiley, since my comment was largely tongue-in-cheek.

I've cooked competition style many times, and sure, it's good, but that alone doesn't define good BBQ. But the original topic was about the "reality" show, and that's what they do, so I was more or less poking fun.

[boogiesnap]

Originally Posted by marubozo

Well, to be fair, I should have used a sarcasm tag or smiley, since my comment was largely tongue-in-cheek.

I've cooked competition style many times, and sure, it's good, but that alone doesn't define good BBQ. But the original topic was about the "reality" show, and that's what they do, so I was more or less poking fun.

looked, but there ain't a handshake smiley.