Smokin' Frenchman
Got Wood.
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2010
- Location
- Whitby, ON
Hi All,
Great forum you have here! Lots of reading which is great.
I'm looking at getting out of the IT industry and into some BBQ'ing over the next 2-3 years. I will keeping my day job and I want to do this part time on weekends so that if it doesn't work out well then at least I've eaten a lot of Q, lol
Anyways, my plans this summer are to do some smaller events with friends/family/friends business BBQ's etc. nothing too big maybe 20-30 people. I have some people already interested which is great. I will be using the tips from here about contracts etc. even for friends. It will be mostly ribs, chicken, maybe some butts and more likely some steaks, burgers and sausages (Nature of the demand around here unfortunately).
My key thing over this summer will be to cook, cook, cook, cook, etc you get the picture. I am also attending Myron Mixon's class in Feb of this year, I know that's geared more towards KCBS competition but I'm sure I'll learn some valuable pointers
Here are some requirements:
-I'm looking to hopefully buy a cooker locally, easier if I have warranty issues and for supporting local dealers.
-I would also like something where if it doesn't work out or if I need to expand in a year or 2.....I can just use my new toy in the backyard no problem or as my competition cooker.
-With that said, it would be nice to be able to move it from the backyard to the truck with relative "ease" for on-site cooking as well as backyard practicing
-Needs to be able to handle smoking, but also grilling (would love to be able to properly sear steaks at high high temp)
-Needs to be "easy to use" IE likely not a stick burner
-Needs to work year round, in sub 32 degree weather (gets to -20 Degrees Celcius in winter often)
-In the 1k-2k CDN price range
My initial thoughts are:
-BGE XL with DigiQ, weird I know but it has "cool" factor, is 1.5k cdn. for the EGG, I can smoke, make pizza, steak, burgers, etc. etc. etc. this thing can do it all and would be a nice backyard cooker. 452 sq in. lifetime warranty.
-Traeger (not sure which, Professional is $1400, COM150 is $2800) I'm thinking the COM150 is overkill though. But with the Pro it's easy to use, pretty hands off, I can smoke and grill on the same unit and decent to use in the backyard after, can't sear steaks properly though. 418sq in. and 3 year warranty, need to have 120v power to use it.
-American BBQ Systems Pit Boss (unsure of price) but this seems like a great unit, you can smoke on one side and grill over the firebox on the other, VERY cool. I don't think they have Canadian Dealers though. 1704 sq in of smoking and 432 sq in of grilling. This is probably really expensive, anyone know the price?
That's basically where I'm at, any thoughts? As I said this will start off small while perfecting my craft and hoping to NEED to upgrade to a full blown enclosed trailer model in a year or so.
Thanks for the Help, sorry this post is so long!
Jay a.k.a. Smokin' Frenchman
Great forum you have here! Lots of reading which is great.
I'm looking at getting out of the IT industry and into some BBQ'ing over the next 2-3 years. I will keeping my day job and I want to do this part time on weekends so that if it doesn't work out well then at least I've eaten a lot of Q, lol
Anyways, my plans this summer are to do some smaller events with friends/family/friends business BBQ's etc. nothing too big maybe 20-30 people. I have some people already interested which is great. I will be using the tips from here about contracts etc. even for friends. It will be mostly ribs, chicken, maybe some butts and more likely some steaks, burgers and sausages (Nature of the demand around here unfortunately).
My key thing over this summer will be to cook, cook, cook, cook, etc you get the picture. I am also attending Myron Mixon's class in Feb of this year, I know that's geared more towards KCBS competition but I'm sure I'll learn some valuable pointers
Here are some requirements:
-I'm looking to hopefully buy a cooker locally, easier if I have warranty issues and for supporting local dealers.
-I would also like something where if it doesn't work out or if I need to expand in a year or 2.....I can just use my new toy in the backyard no problem or as my competition cooker.
-With that said, it would be nice to be able to move it from the backyard to the truck with relative "ease" for on-site cooking as well as backyard practicing
-Needs to be able to handle smoking, but also grilling (would love to be able to properly sear steaks at high high temp)
-Needs to be "easy to use" IE likely not a stick burner
-Needs to work year round, in sub 32 degree weather (gets to -20 Degrees Celcius in winter often)
-In the 1k-2k CDN price range
My initial thoughts are:
-BGE XL with DigiQ, weird I know but it has "cool" factor, is 1.5k cdn. for the EGG, I can smoke, make pizza, steak, burgers, etc. etc. etc. this thing can do it all and would be a nice backyard cooker. 452 sq in. lifetime warranty.
-Traeger (not sure which, Professional is $1400, COM150 is $2800) I'm thinking the COM150 is overkill though. But with the Pro it's easy to use, pretty hands off, I can smoke and grill on the same unit and decent to use in the backyard after, can't sear steaks properly though. 418sq in. and 3 year warranty, need to have 120v power to use it.
-American BBQ Systems Pit Boss (unsure of price) but this seems like a great unit, you can smoke on one side and grill over the firebox on the other, VERY cool. I don't think they have Canadian Dealers though. 1704 sq in of smoking and 432 sq in of grilling. This is probably really expensive, anyone know the price?
That's basically where I'm at, any thoughts? As I said this will start off small while perfecting my craft and hoping to NEED to upgrade to a full blown enclosed trailer model in a year or so.
Thanks for the Help, sorry this post is so long!
Jay a.k.a. Smokin' Frenchman