BBQ Snob?

[jimf]

Has my love for smoking quality meats turned me into a BBQ snob?

Over the weekend I was invited to a get together for a friend. We arrived a little late but I what a saw made me want to leave. The host was smoking ribs and ABTs on his wood burning Brinkman Smoke n Pit. Thick white smoke was flowing out of the smoke stack, the thermometer read 300 degrees and rising. The host (who was drinking, but can't knock him for that because smoking with out a beverage is just wrong) had all the vents on the wood box wide open AND kept opening the box every two minutes to "check" on the FIRE. It looked like a boyscout bon fire Any time someone would come near the smoker he would open ithe pit to show them the ribs.

My BBQ mind couldn't take it. I had to hang out and socialize on the other side of the patio. I didn't want to be 'that guy' who criticizes a man on his grilling/BBQ skills. I kept drinking.

When it was time to eat, I didn't want to try the ribs. Who passes up on ribs? I did, or should I say, I tried. The host saw me without a rib on my plate and insisted I try because he has had my ribs and knows I have a passion for the hobby. So I tried one. They were fall off the bone, dry. They had a thick thick thick hickery smoke flavor topped with Heinz BBQ sauce.

To top it off, people where complementing him on his 'amazing' ribs. Seriously, do these guys not know good BBQ? Where they just being nice? Who knows but I didn't hear anyone complaining. Granted it was free food. My wife, however, noticed my discomfort and thanked me for keeping my mouth shut.

Have I became such a BBQ snob, that I can't enjoy a social get together? Has my pallet become so refined that i have turned into a competition judge when I taste someone else's BBQ? Should I have said something to the host? I now can't wait to fire up my smoker to smoke baby backs correctly. I need to get that taste out of my mouth.

 

[mossymo]

 would not call yourself a snob, I would refer to you as properly educated. Do your buddy a favor and send him to SMF...

 

[jimf]

Good call

 

[raptor700]

   

  Yep, your a bbq snob!!

I saw a guy pour a bottle of Gulf Light starting fluid on the charcoal in his weber, light it, and shut the lid 

 

[chef jimmyj]

Been there! Try being a Pro Chef and paying Good Money for Crap Food! Invite your buddy over and talk about how Awesome this SMF site you found is! Then keep talking about how YOU learned to keep temps at 225*F , 3-2-1, Minion Method, Rubs and the use of Thermometers. Talk about how YOU have learned so much... If your boy is a Q-nut he will be soaking it up and get hooked. Just never mention anything he did wrong unless he asks for advice. Finish the day with some Killer Ribs with Homemade Sauce and he will see a difference. No insult, just two Buds talking Q...Good Luck...JJ

 

[smoketrax]

I am new to the forum so I say this at a serious risk to developing any reputation, but as a professional in the food industry, there are many many people out there who can't tell the difference between ok food (ie dry ribs with bbq sauce) and truly good ribs. Ribs are one thing I do not try and smoke to be honest. I have many good recipe's and results that I am absolutely proud of, but ribs are nto one of them and I focus on what I am personally good at. It can be really hard to deal with people that don't have a refined sense of taste or people like my dad who just don't care abotu the finer touches. ( I say that in all kindness and my dad would agree).

To take the edge off for you, I presented my inlaws with a very nice (I thought) Smoked pork loin tonight and my father in law proceeded to cover it with salt. Me and my wife only looked at each other and cringed. I guess I could be elitist but when I beleive I season things very balanced, but what can you do. Even in restuarants I have been told my buffalo lasagna is the same as costo... smile and nod. and know when you host a party guests will have a new appreciation for ribs.

Good luck and don't let it get to you.

 

[boykjo]

Been there........ I do as you did. Just keep my opinions to myself even though my skin is crawling..... If you say something they may take it as critisizem when your actually trying to help them better understand how to prepare good bbq.... Maybe the alcohol had somthing to do with all the compliments on the BBQ.....

Maybe were all snobs a little bit but it goes with the addiction

Joe

 

[scarbelly]

Been there done that - I dont think you are a snob but you have an educated pallate. I go to a BBQ at family events and have to keep my mouth shut 

 

[africanmeat]

Now after a year of learning(many more to come) on SMF i do as Scarblly, i bite my Tongue and i don't push my Knowledge if i am not asked .

that keeps me safe and married .

 

[carl609]

I try to never be "that guy" giving advice over somebody's grill, but sometimes a little advice goes a long way.  I am brand new here, but I bet if you sent him here he could learn a thing or two.

 

[puddy]

Forward him your saved emails of the 5 day E-course. Just tell him that its some good references to look back on when you want a good read.

 

[diggingdogfarm]

I've come to accept the fact that the majority of folks are satisfied with horrible food.

Forget dispensing advice (talk is just that, nothing but talk) and step up to the plate, invite him/them over for your BBQ and go from there.
Some will "see the light" and seek to learn, and some will continue to be satisfied with crap.
At least you'll know that you did your best!!!

 

[rtbbq2]

Congrats JimF on biting your tongue. Sometimes it best to just smile and say nothiing. Ya don't want to offend the host, even though his ribs are dry... I've observed similar people with blazing fires on the grill when they should be slow cooking. Send him an invite to join SMF is the best bet....Smoke it like it's the last one....but smoke it low and slow......

 

[rbranstner]

I would agree with these guys that you definitely aren't a snob. Do you know good BBQ and dislike sub par BBQ? Yes But you definitely aren't a snob.

 

[terry colwell]

I was taught  " If you can't say nothing nice, then don't say nothing at all"  and I believe that is before AND after..

 

[smokinhusker]

It's hard to keep your "opinions" to yourself in times like you mention. But you did good! Reminded me of a couple we had met while on active duty...she burned all meat cause that's the way her mama taught her to do it. Her hubby dang near died the first time they had dinner at our house...no burnt meat!!!!! 

 

[michael ark]

I had to bite my tongue on christmas. When my MIL made croc pot pulled pork. Or as I rember it pork guw with mauls.:devil: They know it's a hobby of mine.

 

[michael ark]

I had to bite my tongue on christmas. When my MIL made croc pot pulled pork. Or as I rember it pork guw with mauls.:devil: They know it's a hobby of mine.

 

[talan64]

Now what you need to do it invite your buddy over for some of your killer ribs, and with a little luck he'll start asking questions.  As long as he asks for advice, you're in the clear.  Just remember don't lecture but tell him how you do it, and stress (without criticizing), important stuff like temp control, thin blue smoke, keeping the lid opening to a minimum....etc.

If he doesn't ask or worse asks and then doesn't change his ways........he's already lost.

Good luck,

 

[wjordan52]

Sounds to me you did exactly what you should have done. You're not a snob, you just know better.

Everyone has to develop their skills (or not) in their own time and way. I used to think my Q was good, but on reflection I can recall making most of the same mistakes you describe here.

Fortunately I wanted to know more and searched for information until I found this site. I have learned (and continue to learn) more about smoking/slow cooking than I thought there was to know, and I've just started compared to most here.

Good job, and thanks to you and the 'gang' here for sharing.

Bill