BBQ Supplies

Qbert60 · 10-22-2018, 10:39 AM

I'm not sure if this has been covered before, but I'd like to know how often everyone orders BBQ supplies. By supplies I mean rubs and sauces.

I had something happen this year that I wonder about constantly. Can rubs lose their flavor over time? My chicken always had a peppery finish and I know it's because of a certain rub I use. I ordered that rub in bulk last year, then portioned them out in 1/2 cup increments in tiny zip-lock bags. I kept everything in my basement which is cool and dry. This year, I didn't change any ingredients, but lost that peppery finish. Last year I typically scored pretty well in chicken, where this year I was in the mid to bottom at just about every contest. That peppery finish is the only thing that I can put my finger on.

5am · 10-22-2018, 11:13 AM

Spices can mellow out and lose flavor over time. Vacuum seal the rub in portions and store it in the freezer to keep it fresh.

midwest_kc · 10-22-2018, 11:28 AM

What 5am said.

However, to answer your question, I typically don't buy in bulk, unless I'm doing a catering, or something where I know I'll go through all/most of it quickly. I usually just buy the smaller formats as needed for comps. For example, one of our Pork rubs, I use about a bottle a comp. So, I typically take 2 (or 1 and a partial), and I usually buy a shaker the week of the competition.

medic92 · 10-22-2018, 12:49 PM

I had some rub that I put in a clear plastic container and left in the garage near a window where the sun partially hit it, then promptly forgot about it. The part that was in the sun faded to nearly white over time. I didn't use it but I'll bet the flavor was seriously degraded.

Joe Black · 10-22-2018, 03:52 PM

I keep my rubs in an air tite plastic container in the freezer. When I'm ready to use it, I take it out of the freezer and stir it with a fork to mix up the clumps. Seems to work very well.

West River BBQ · 10-22-2018, 07:33 PM

I think the problem is air hitting the spices. Sealing might help, but then you have to figure out how often you'll be opening a newly sealed package. If you really want to see how much it changes over time, take a sniff of a newly opened bottle right after smelling the older version. It's remarkable with some spices. Ginger and sage come to mind. Let us know what you find out.

CBQ · 11-12-2018, 07:13 PM

Spices degrade over time, especially anything with heat. I replace my rubs about 3 times a season, if they aren't consumed.

Bigwhipple · 11-13-2018, 11:40 AM

We start with new rubs at the beginning of each season (March for us) and only order the small shaker size for each other than a couple that we order the large shaker size. Never in bulk.
If we have any left at the end of the season, I finish them off at home.

10-22-2018, 10:39 AM	#1
Qbert60 Take a breath! Join Date: 06-29-12 Location: Detroit, MI	BBQ Supplies I'm not sure if this has been covered before, but I'd like to know how often everyone orders BBQ supplies. By supplies I mean rubs and sauces. I had something happen this year that I wonder about constantly. Can rubs lose their flavor over time? My chicken always had a peppery finish and I know it's because of a certain rub I use. I ordered that rub in bulk last year, then portioned them out in 1/2 cup increments in tiny zip-lock bags. I kept everything in my basement which is cool and dry. This year, I didn't change any ingredients, but lost that peppery finish. Last year I typically scored pretty well in chicken, where this year I was in the mid to bottom at just about every contest. That peppery finish is the only thing that I can put my finger on. __________________ Chief cook for P B & j's BBQ Team/Dubbed "Skippy" By the legendary Mike Davis

10-22-2018, 11:13 AM	#2
5am On the road to being a farker Join Date: 05-16-10 Location: Manhattan, KS	Spices can mellow out and lose flavor over time. Vacuum seal the rub in portions and store it in the freezer to keep it fresh. __________________ LEGION OF QUE

10-22-2018, 11:28 AM	#3
midwest_kc is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 08-27-10 Location: Independence, MO Name/Nickname : Joel	What 5am said. However, to answer your question, I typically don't buy in bulk, unless I'm doing a catering, or something where I know I'll go through all/most of it quickly. I usually just buy the smaller formats as needed for comps. For example, one of our Pork rubs, I use about a bottle a comp. So, I typically take 2 (or 1 and a partial), and I usually buy a shaker the week of the competition. __________________ Meat Rushmore BBQ Team

10-22-2018, 12:49 PM	#4
medic92 is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 02-24-16 Location: Mount Sterling, IL Name/Nickname : Kevin	I had some rub that I put in a clear plastic container and left in the garage near a window where the sun partially hit it, then promptly forgot about it. The part that was in the sun faded to nearly white over time. I didn't use it but I'll bet the flavor was seriously degraded. __________________ Homebuilt Cinderblock Smoker, Homebuilt UDS, Weber 22 inch Kettle

10-22-2018, 03:52 PM	#5
Joe Black Babbling Farker Join Date: 12-05-14 Location: Greenville, SC	I keep my rubs in an air tite plastic container in the freezer. When I'm ready to use it, I take it out of the freezer and stir it with a fork to mix up the clumps. Seems to work very well. __________________ 24"x48" Bell Fab offset 22" Weber Premium Kettle Char-Grill gasser

10-22-2018, 07:33 PM	#6
West River BBQ Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 05-26-18 Location: Sturgis, SD Name/Nickname : Bill	I think the problem is air hitting the spices. Sealing might help, but then you have to figure out how often you'll be opening a newly sealed package. If you really want to see how much it changes over time, take a sniff of a newly opened bottle right after smelling the older version. It's remarkable with some spices. Ginger and sage come to mind. Let us know what you find out.

11-12-2018, 07:13 PM	#7
CBQ is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 01-11-09 Location: Cumberland, RI	Spices degrade over time, especially anything with heat. I replace my rubs about 3 times a season, if they aren't consumed. __________________ Chris Rhode Hog BBQ "The Most Dangerous Team in BBQ" - Jon Vallone KCBS, KCBS CBJ, NEBS

11-13-2018, 11:40 AM	#8
Bigwhipple Got Wood. Join Date: 04-08-14 Location: Tulsa, OK	We start with new rubs at the beginning of each season (March for us) and only order the small shaker size for each other than a couple that we order the large shaker size. Never in bulk. If we have any left at the end of the season, I finish them off at home. __________________ Chris - The Griswolds BBQ Team