Finally! A smoking meat forum that isnt called "Reddit". I'm hopeful I'll get some good info here as opposed to the "Its my way or the highway" attitude you get in the Reddit forums. I've been smoking meat for better than 30 years but, as the website suggests, I'll start here. My name is Bob and as I said, I've been at this game a long time. Always pondered about starting my own little side business but I think a lot of the shine has worn off this gig. At least it has in my area of mid-Michigan. I've seen a lot of, in my opinion, really good BBQ joints/trucks, etc go by the way side around here so I am hesitant in setting myself up to fail. Seems the fascination with BBQ has eased up quite a bit in these parts.
I built my first couple smokers and have had a handful of different units over the years. Now-a-days I use only a Pit Boss Brunswick, and an SLE Equipment 250 gallon reverse flow off set (on wheels). I enter a few contests each year, and every September, the weekend after Labor Day, myself and 4-5 of my friends host a BBQ contest in my hometown of Westphalia. We usually have 12-14 teams but we are always open for, and have room for, more. It's more of a "back yard" contest for bragging rights but we do have trophies for winning the categories. We hold the contest at a local park, and we get a one-day liquor license so we can sell beer ($2/can!!!), etc to the public. We also have a DJ booming music all day. Hit me up if you're interested. I can provide more details.
I'd love to hear about BBQ contests/rib burns in and around mid-Michigan. I prefer the contests that aren't necessarily sanctioned by KCBS. I prefer the smaller contests (small town festival contests, "back yard" contests, etc). I've done the KCBS contests and although I had a lot of fun, I can't compete against the guys that are rolling in with 50k rigs pulled by 150k motor homes. If anyone here has entered the contest that Boss Brewing (Leslie Mi.) hosts each summer, I'd love to hear about that one.
I guess I will end it here and investigate the website and see what interesting things I can find. Smoke 'em if you got 'em!!
I built my first couple smokers and have had a handful of different units over the years. Now-a-days I use only a Pit Boss Brunswick, and an SLE Equipment 250 gallon reverse flow off set (on wheels). I enter a few contests each year, and every September, the weekend after Labor Day, myself and 4-5 of my friends host a BBQ contest in my hometown of Westphalia. We usually have 12-14 teams but we are always open for, and have room for, more. It's more of a "back yard" contest for bragging rights but we do have trophies for winning the categories. We hold the contest at a local park, and we get a one-day liquor license so we can sell beer ($2/can!!!), etc to the public. We also have a DJ booming music all day. Hit me up if you're interested. I can provide more details.
I'd love to hear about BBQ contests/rib burns in and around mid-Michigan. I prefer the contests that aren't necessarily sanctioned by KCBS. I prefer the smaller contests (small town festival contests, "back yard" contests, etc). I've done the KCBS contests and although I had a lot of fun, I can't compete against the guys that are rolling in with 50k rigs pulled by 150k motor homes. If anyone here has entered the contest that Boss Brewing (Leslie Mi.) hosts each summer, I'd love to hear about that one.
I guess I will end it here and investigate the website and see what interesting things I can find. Smoke 'em if you got 'em!!
