2017 Smokers Weekend

[smokin monkey]

It's that time of the year again to start and organize the 2017 Smokers Weekend.

We will use this page to keep people updated with everything concerning the weekend.

So come on, let's see who's interested and what ideas you have for the weekend, what you are thinking of cooking and what you would like to see.

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• smokin monkey
• Jan 19, 2017

 

[martyn c]

oooh I'm not working that weekend, how does it work , is it a get together for some smoking and bbq ? possibly interested being new to it all

 

[wade]

Basically Martyn we invite all the UK newcomers to the forum to come along and the Group Leads sit and drink beer while we watch and score them as they smoke us a lavish 10 course BBQ meal with champagne. We then watch them do the washing up.

 

 

[wade]

Seriously - this is a no-stress weekend for people who love BBQ. Members come along to cook and share good food and to get hints and tips from others. IT IS NOT A COMPETITION. We have members there from all over the UK and we try to get a menu finalised in advance. The newer members choose first what they want to cook (if anything) and then we try to fill in the gaps. The reason we like to get a rough menu in advance is to avoid having too many of any one dish - one year we had 7 different versions of BBQ beans... All were tasty but the air around the camp site the next morning was a little ripe...

For those who want to cook, we encourage them to bring their own smoker however we know that this is not always possible. We therefore try to bring a few spare for members to use. These are on a shared basis though. For those who don't want to cook we ask that they bring a side dish, a dessert or maybe some beer/wine etc.

Whilst the food is being prepared it gives people a good opportunity to watch other members techniques and also to gain confidence to try things they may not have attempted before.

Many arrive on the Friday night and we get together to share BBQ snacks cooked in one of Steve's weird and wonderful BBQ/smoker creations and sit and chill getting ready for the big day ahead. Those who cannot make it on the Friday usually turn up early on the Saturday morning. Saturday is the big cooking day. Depending on what people cook will dictate at what time they light their smoker. We try to have at least one of each of brisket, pulled pork, ribs, chicken, sausage and fish. Some are smoked for hours and others take less than an hour. 

You do not need to worry about tables, cutlery or cold storage as these will be provided. We also provide chafing dishes to keep food hot when being served. There is usually far more food than we can eat so it has become a tradition that we invite the campsite to join us after the first 30 minutes of members only so that no food is wasted.

Please encourage your other half (and family) to come too. The first year we held the meet we did not know what to expect and our partners were quite nervous about attending a weekend event full of BBQ nerds. They quickly found that they were having as much fun as us - if not more. The camp site is lovely and there is a lot to see in the local area.

It is a weekend of fun, relaxation, good company, no pressure and good food.

 

 

[smokin monkey]

Basically Martyn we invite all the UK newcomers to the forum to come along and the Group Leads sit and drink beer while we watch and score them as they smoke us a lavish 10 course BBQ meal with champagne. We then watch them do the washing up. :biggrin:  

Haha, what a great new format Wade!!!!

 

[martyn c]

That sounds like fun, although washing up paper plates is a difficult task ...

 

[martyn c]

Sounds a blast, hope we're free, we have tents and camping stuff already although we're looking for a motorhome in the near future

 

[smokin monkey]

Sounds a blast, hope we're free, we have tents and camping stuff already although we're looking for a motorhome in the near future

It's a great weekend, we all camp in the same area, one side is for Camping and the other side is Motorhome/Caravan. Glam ping Pods are a two minute walk away.

 

[wade]

The site caters for tents and caravans. We do not have either so we rent one of the on-site camping pods.

 

[smokin monkey]

Some Photos from 2016.

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• smokin monkey
• Jan 31, 2017

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• smokin monkey
• Jan 31, 2017

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• smokin monkey
• Jan 31, 2017

image.jpeg

• smokin monkey
• Jan 31, 2017

 

[kc5tpy]

Hello.  Where do I sign up for the 10 course meal?  Can I still be a judge?  I wanna judge best wildebeast haunch!

 

Keep Smokin!

Danny

 

[martyn c]

Nom nom,yummy yummy, ..... actually I don't like smoking and BBQing meat myself, I mean why would you if it's going to kill you ??

 

[wade]

The photos were taken before the campsite hoards descended. It was great to see so many people enjoying the food and the interest shown by the public was fantastic. Last year we had two families (who had eaten with us the year before) wait until the smoking weekend had been confirmed before they actually booked their holiday dates.

 

[stringman]

Hi all

I have just been directed here from my post on the main board.

This sounds like a great weekend.

What are the costs? do we book via here?

If we came, as newbies, we would be a little nervous of cooking (even though we might try) But I make a good (so I am told) BBQ sauce so I would happily bring along a good few bottle of that to help out, along with some liquid supplies!!!

 

[wade]

The only cost for the weekend is your accommodation which you book directly with the camp site http://www.woodhallcountrypark.co.uk/. Some come in caravans, others bring tents and others rent one of the Sky Pods. The pitch that we book for cooking is 84 however the site is actually quite small so whichever pitch/pod you book you will be within 2 minutes walk of that,

One of the points of the weekend is to get comfortable with cooking. That can either be by simply watching others or, hopefully, by trying it yourself. There is no competition involved and everyone helps each other out if it is wanted. This is the perfect opportunity for you to try something new with the comfort of knowing that others are around to ask if you need any help. If you have never tried cooking on a bullet smoker or a pellet smoker then this weekend is your chance to try it. If you have never seen a Head Bead before then this is the perfect opportunity 

. If you want to look at different types of smoke generator, digital thermometer, smoker temperature control device etc. then we bring those along for people to see.

We would encourage you to cook/prepare something on the day - and this could be a side dish or your BBQ sauce. If there is something that you would love to learn to smoke but have not yet tried, then let us know in advance and we will help you do it on the day.

We would prefer it if you could bring your own BBQ/smoker, but we realise that is not always possible, so we do bring along a few spares for people to use. These are on a shared basis though and it would be best to let us know in advance so that we can ensure there is space.

The whole purpose of the weekend is to relax in good company, learn from others and to eat some good smoked food. There is no pressure and nobody is being judged. Last year there were several meat dishes that were cooked by members for their first time. It is a good place to experiment and gain experience.

We try to ensure that there are some of each of the BBQ staples - Brisket, Ribs, Pulled pork, sausage, chicken, beans, various sides and yes, even humble burgers. If you fancied trying something like ribs or pulled pork for the first time then you can treat the weekend as a "free" masteclass. If you wanted to go for the brisket then we would cheer you on all the way 

You do not need to worry about things like tables, cutlery, plates, hot plates etc as we will provide those. We also provide walk in chiller trailers for keeping your food/beer/wine chilled before you start to cook,

It would be great to see you there. If you have any concerns that you want to ask in private then please feel free to PM either Steve (Smokin Monkey) or myself.

 

[stringman]

Hi Wade

thanks so much for that.

I tried the online booking form for the site and it said they were fully booked. so I have emailed them direct saying its for the smokers weekend.

I wouldn't be able to fit my smoker in the car so would it be acceptable  or PC to bring the Cobb and the Uuni? I don't want to go rogue!!

 

[wade]

I have just checked online and they still have a lot of space. What were you trying to book?

 

[wade]

 
I wouldn't be able to fit my smoker in the car so would it be acceptable  or PC to bring the Cobb and the Uuni? I don't want to go rogue!!

We have all kinds of weird and wonderful devices there. It would be good to see the Uuni in action and maybe use it for garlic bread. One guy from Scotland brings a slow cooker for Chilli and that is lovely. It is not all about BBQ smoking 

 

[smokin monkey]

I wouldn't be able to fit my smoker in the car so would it be acceptable  or PC to bring the Cobb and the Uuni? I don't want to go rogue!!

Not seen the Cobb or Uuni in action, so that would be great. I did Pizza two years ago at the Weekend in a Tandoor Oven, so anything outdoor cooking goes!

 

[kc5tpy]

Hello.  Sorry Guys.  I can't make that weekend.  Step-Son getting married.  I tried to talk them in to the reception at the campsite; but no deal.  This will be he first one I miss but we all can't make it every year.  Have fun!  Take photos!  Keep Smokin!

Danny