Brandon Kinney - Smoker Live

Another BBQ song for your enjoyment.

Turn in boxes for Northern Arizona BBQ Competition

Here are some photos taken of the turn in boxes.

I can't no one got a photo of the completed rib box...UGH.

Our First Competition

I can't believe I haven't gotten this post up before now...well I do know why...my computer's USB ports are acting up and I can't download my own photos.  So I will share photos others took.

What a weekend...it was so exciting, full of fun, nervousness, wonder and amazement.  I have to tell you BBQ folk are some wonderful, generous, eager to help others, social, fun-loving people.  We were welcomed with open arms from everyone we met.  Yes, it is a competition, but teams offered advise, help, tips, and lessons to all of us newbies.  They want everyone to do well.

I thought we were entering a small, kinda local competition only to find out some of the best BBQers in the nation were there...on both sides of us in fact. Talk about being nervous. But we worried for nothing, everyone was so supportive, friendly and helpful. There is so much more to competition BBQ than I ever expected.

Special thanks to R&R from the SLC area with our rib box and more. Your guys rock! Your encouragement, wisdom and friendship is truly appreciated.  Thanks for the IMBBQA banner too, we'll will fly it proudly everywhere we go.  Congrats on finishing so well, too. 

Tommy and Jennifer at Whiskey Ranch provided great help, tips, and more with boxes and brisket.  We got great scores on appearance thanks to you guys. 

Mike, you and your gang at AZBBQ threw a heck of an event. Thanks for making us feel so welcome. Can't wait for the next one!

Our self-designed and made smoker was quite a hit.  Other teams were coming over to check it out all during the event.  Timm and Chris should be proud of it for sure.  Many teams had made their own pits as well, there was one made from a Peterbuilt chrome fuel tank, and of course, large propane tanks are the material of choice.  Our Knaack construction site gang box is fairly unique to the BBQ world. 

We participated in People's Choice and got great compliments on our product.  We offered chopped pork and ribs.  Many folks came back for seconds, and I even saw a couple of third helpings in line.  Wish we knew how many would purchase tickets for this, we would have planned to cook more meat. 

Christy and Chris manned people's choice and were great with the crowds.  

We finished 27th out of 28 teams overall.  Was hoping to finish about mid-pack but then again, the caliber of teams was incredible. 
Chicken 26th...turned in legs, most use thighs...although ours were super tasty and moist, skin was crisp and delicious.
Ribs 24th...our best event and got compliments from other teams saying they should have scored much higher.
Pork 26th...tasty and a hit in peoples choice...gotta work on a sauce for that one though. 
Brisket 28th...gotta get the temp up for a more tender brisket, it was flavorful, just gotta get a more tender cook on it.
Oh, we got a 7th place for best booth too.  Even got to walk and get a ribbon for that.  Next year, watch out...I'm looking for 1st place on that one.
 
Timm and I are thankful for all the support from our families.  Scott, Christy and Chris drove up after work on Friday to participate and made it just in time for the midnight appetizer party.  Apparently, they were hungry...but you gotta try everything right.  My parents, brother and his son came to support up in our adventure into the BBQ world as well.  Thanks to all of them. 

We  stuck around on Sunday to see the backyard bbq...was hoping for more competitors on that one.  We should have cooked for peoples choice that day...lots of folks looking to eat some 'que.  We also took a ride on the train that day before the kids headed for home.  It was Christy's first train ride, the boys obviously loved it as well.  Timm and I stuck around for 5 more days enjoying the area. 

getting ready

The pit and most of the gear is loaded in the trailer.  Still need to add a few things.  The toy hauler is getting loaded...haven't done that in a while it seems.  The banners look fantastic!  We are so pleased with them.  Wish we had team shirts but that will be new next time around.  Taking two vehicles on this trip, we'll be staying a few extra days while the kids bring the BBQ stuff home with them at the end of the event.  Getting excited!  If you want to find cooler weather and something to do, head over to Williams AZ for a 4th of July BBQ competition and stop to see us and say hello.

Official Logo

Well, here it is...our official logo.  I think it looks awesome!  Ken over at Biz-Goods did a superb job!

This is the banner we're getting.  It measures 3'x9' with a black background.  It is going to look so awesome at our booth. 

Again, thanks Ken!

Working on a logo

Since Memorial Day weekend we've been working on a logo for our team.  Our original thoughts were to have Timm and Cassy on his ATV pulling the pit with smoke coming out the stacks.  They are, afterall, trailhounds.  Then it started getting complicated, thinking about putting the state of Nevada in the background, and more. Instead we've decided to go with a 'Vegas sign' style design instead.  Scott's friend, Ken has been working with us and it's looking 'fabulous'...lol.   This is what we have so far.  Looks so much better than the original drawing...which was okay, but these guys are graphic designers, making it look great. What do you think so far? 

It's HOT!

Summer has officially arrived in Las Vegas.  On Saturday, Timm cooked up 100 pounds of beef and pork for a co-worker's daughter's graduation party.  Our atomic clock read 113 in the shade at one point...I hope it wasn't entirely accurate...it didn't feel quite that hot.  It's not really made for the outdoors so I hope it was just having a fit. 

Anyway, the meat turned out great.  Co-worker sent the Grandpas over to help pull it and take it home...big help.  We showered and cleaned up and went to enjoy the party.  There were lots of compliments on the meat, even from folks we didin't know. The grad thanked us several times. 

Hey, I just thought about it...this is our first catering job!  lol