Had to pick between a $400 offset smoker and a $30 kettle grill for my first comp.

I signed up for a backyard BBQ contest last month and realized I only had one working grill at home. My buddy offered me his beat up offset smoker for cheap, but I already had a kettle grill that I knew inside out. I went with the kettle because I was scared of messing up a brisket on something I never used before. Ended up placing third in chicken, so I guess sticking with what I knew paid off for once. Anyone else ever take the familiar route over the fancy option and win?

2 comments

2 Comments

hill.troy5d ago

The kettle grill is a smart move for a first comp honestly. You already know how it breathes and holds heat, which is half the battle when you're on a timer. Placing third with chicken on a basic kettle proves it's more about knowing your gear than having the fancy stuff. I've seen guys show up with trailers worth more than my truck and still finish dead last because they didn't know how their new smoker drafts in a breeze. Sometimes the simple route is the winning route.

phoenix_adams605d ago

Built my first comp smoker out of a rusty kettle I found behind a gas station. Placed higher than a guy with a custom offset that probably cost more than my house. @hill.troy is right, it's about knowing your tools. I got so lost dialing in my pellet smoker once I nearly cried into the brisket. Sometimes the fanciest gadget just gives you more things to break on a time crunch.