Going to my first KCBS event, (as a spectator).

T-Shirts & More
Order men's and women's T-Shirts, Sweatshirts, Aprons, Mugs, Caps, Tote Bags, Flasks, and more, all imprinted with the Pitmaster Club logo. There's even a spiral bound journal where you can make notes on your cooks.

Cool Embroidered Shirt
This beautifully embroidered shirt is the same one Meathead wears in public and on TV. It's wash and wear and doesn't need ironing (really!), but it is a soft cottonlike feel. Choice of four colors and both men's and women's.

Click here for more info.

Support ARC

Many merchants pay us a small referral fee when you click our links and purchase from them. On Amazon it works on everything from grills to diapers, they never tell us what you bought, and it has zero impact on the price you pay, but has a major impact on our ability to improve this site! And remember, we only recommend products we love. If you like AmazingRibs.com, please save this link and use it every time you go to Amazon.

https://tinyurl.com/amazingribs

SPOTLIGHT

Some Of Our Favorite
Tools And Toys

These are not ads. These are products we love and highly recommend. Click here to read more about our medals and what they mean.

Placeholder

Surely you know somebody who loves outdoor cooking who deserves a gift for the holidays, birthday, anniversary, or just for being wonderful. There he is, right in the mirror! Here are our selections of best ideas, all Platinum or Gold Medalists, listed by price.

Click here to see our list of Gold Medal Gifts

Digital Thermometers Are Your Most Valuable Tool And Here's A Great Buy!

maverick PT55 thermometer

A good digital thermometer keeps you from serving dry overcooked food or dangerously undercooked food. They are much faster and much more accurate than dial thermometers. YOU NEED ONE!

Click here for more info on the Maverick PT-55 Waterproof Instant-Read Thermometer Review shown above. It may be the best value in a thermometer out there

If you have a Weber Kettle, you need the Slow 'N' Sear

slow n sear

The Slow 'N' Sear turns your grill into a first class smoker and also creates an extremely hot sear zone you can use to create steakhouse steaks.

Click here for our article on this breakthrough tool

Bring The Heat With Broil King Signet's Dual Tube Burners

the good one grill

The Broil King Signet 320 is a modestly priced, 3-burner gas grill that packs a lot of value and power under the hood. Broil King's proprietary, dual-tube burners get hot fast and are able to achieve high, searing temps that rival most comparatively priced gas grills. The quality cast aluminum housing carries a Limited Lifetime Warranty.

Click here to read our complete review

The Good-One Is A Superb Grill And A Superb Smoker All In One

the good one grill

The Good-One Open Range is a charcoal grill with an offset smoke chamber attached. It is dramatically different from a traditional offset smoker. The grill sits low in front and doubles as a firebox for the smoke chamber which is spliced on above and behind so it can work like a horizontal offset smoker only better. By placing the heat source behind and under the smokebox instead of off to the side, Open Range produces even temperature from left to right, something almost impossible to achieve with a standard barrel shaped offset.

Click here to read our complete review

Griddle And Deep Fryer All In One

The flat top does the burgers and the fryer does the fries. Use the griddle for bacon, eggs, and home fries. Or pancakes, fajitas, grilled cheese, you name it. Why stink up the house deep frying and spatter all over? Do your fried chicken and calamari outside. Blackstone's Rangetop Combo With Deep Fryer does it all. Plus it has a built in cutting board, garbage bag holder, and paper towel holder. An additional work table on the left side provides plenty of counter space.

Click here to read our detailed review and to order

The Pit Barrel Cooker May Be Too Easy

The PBC has a rabid cult following for good reason. It is absolutely positively without a doubt the best bargain on a smoker in the world. Period. This baby will cook circles around the cheap offset sideways barrel smokers in the hardware stores because temperature control is so much easier. Best of all, it is only 9 delivered to your door!

Click here to read our detailed review and the raves from people who own them

The Swiss Army Knife Of Thermometers

Placeholder

The smart folks at ThermoWorks have finally done it: The Swiss Army Knife of thermometers, two in one. Start with the industry standard food thermometer, the Thermapen MK4, (Platinum Medal winner) truly instant (2 to 3 seconds) precise (+ or – 0.7°F). Then they built in an infrared thermometer ideal for measuring the temps of pizza stones, griddles, and frying pans (also great for finding leaks around doors and windows in your house).

Click here to read our test results and comprehensive review and why it won our Platinum Medal.

Compact Powerful Sear Machine For Your Next Tailgater

Placeholder

Char-Broil's Grill2Go x200 is a super-portable, fun little sizzler made of heavy, rust-proof cast aluminum. The lid snaps shut. Grab the handle and you're off to the party! Char-Broil's TRU-Infrared design produces searing heat while reducing fuel consumption. A 16 ounce LP gas canister is enough to keep you flipping burgers for hours.

Click here to read our detailed review and to order

The Cool Kettle With The Hinged Hood We Always Wanted

NK-22-Ck Grill

Their NK22CK-C Charcoal Kettle Grill puts a few spins on the familiar kettle design. In fact, the hinged lid with a handle on the front, spins in a rotary motion 180 degrees. It's hard to beat a Weber kettle, but Napoleon holds its own and adds some unique features to make the NK22CK-C a viable alternative.

Click here for more about what makes this grill special

Placeholder

G&F Suede Welder's Gloves

Heat Resistant Gloves With Extra Long Sleeves Hold The Hot Stuff

If you're using oven mitts at the grill, it's time to trade up. Say hello to these suede welder's gloves. They're heat resistant enough to handle hot grill grates, and flexible enough to handle tongs. The extra long sleeves even let you reach deep into the firebox to move hot logs without getting burned. Our Fave.

Click here to read our detailed review

Click here to order from Amazon

GrillGrates Take Gas Grills To The Infrared Zone

grill grates

GrillGrates(TM) amplify heat, prevent flareups, make flipping foods easier, keep small foods from committing suicide, kill hotspots, are easier to clean, flip over to make a fine griddle, and can be easily removed and moved from one grill to another. You can even throw wood chips, pellets, or sawdust between the rails and deliver a quick burst of smoke to whatever is above. Every gas grill needs them.

Click here for more about what makes these grates so special

Our Favorite Backyard Smoker

The amazing Karubecue is the most innovative smoker in the world. The quality of meat from this machine is astonishing. At its crux is a patented firebox that burns logs above the cooking chamber and sucks heat and extremely clean blue smoke into the thermostat controlled oven. It is our favorite smoker, period.

Click here for our review of this superb smoker

Masterbuilt MPS 340/G ThermoTemp XL Propane Smoker

The First Propane Smoker With A Thermostat Makes This Baby Foolproof

Set ThermoTemp's dial from 175° to 350°F and the thermostat inside will adjust the burner just like an indoor kitchen oven. All you need to do is add wood to the tray above the burner to start smokin'.

Click here to read our detailed review

Professional Steakhouse Knife Set

Our founder, Meathead, wanted the same steak knives used by steakhouses such as Peter Luger, Smith & Wollensky, Morton's, Kobe Club, Palm, and many others. So he located the manufacturer and had them stamp our name on some. They boast pointed, temper-ground, serrated, high-carbon stainless-steel, half-tang blades with excellent cutting edge ability. The beefy hardwood handle provides a comfortable grip secured by three hefty rivets. He has machine washed his more than 100 times. They have never rusted and they stay shiny without polishing. Please note that we do not make, sell, or distribute these knives, they just engrave them with our name.

Click here to read our detailed review and to order

PK 360 grill

Is This Superb Charcoal Grill A Kamado Killer?

The PK-360, with 360 square inches of cooking space, this rust free, cast aluminum charcoal grill is durable and easy to use. Four-way venting means it's easy to set up for two zone cooking with more control than single vent Kamado grills. It is much easier to set up for 2-zone cooking than any round kamado. Beautifully designed and completely portable. Meathead says it is his preferrred grill.

Click here to read our detailed review of the PK 360

Click here to order it direct from PK and get a special deal for AmazingRibs.com readers only

Fireboard: The Ultimate Top Of The Line BBQ Thermometer

fireboard bbq thermometer

With the ability to monitor up to six temperatures simultaneously with either Bluetooth or Wifi on your mobile phone, tablet, or computer, Fireboard is the best digital thermometer we’ve tested.

Click here to read our detailed review

Finally, A Great Portable Pellet Smoker

Green Mountain Davey Crockett Grill

Green Mountain's portable Davy Crockett Pellet Smoker is one mean tailgating and picnic machine. But it's also gaining popularity with people who want to add a small, set it and forget it pellet smoker to their backyard arsenal. And with their WiFi capabilities you can control and monitor Davy Crocket from your smart phone or laptop.

Click here to read our detailed review and to order

RonB

Club Member

Joined: Apr 2016

Posts: 10842

Location: Near Richmond VA

Weber Performer Deluxe
SNS
Pizza insert
Rotisserie
Smokenator 1000
Cookshack Smokette Elite
2 Thermapens
Chefalarm
Dot
lots of probes.
CyberQ
Top | #1

Going to my first KCBS event, (as a spectator).

July 23rd, 2016, 08:40 PM

There's a KCBS competition in Richmond in 3 weeks and I'm planning on attending. I've never been to one and have no idea what to expect, so I'm looking for some tips on what to expect and do while there.
Any help would be appreciated.
Will there be samples. If so free of for a contribution?
What type of vendors?
Will there be any factory reps for any equipment or accessories?
How about "how to" talks by pitmasters?
Are adult beverages normally available?
Will there be any equipment deals there? But I really don't need anything anyway...

And I wish I had a shirt that said something like "Want to learn to smoke meat better? Visit AMAZINGRIBS.COM"
Tags: None
Spinaker

Moderator

Joined: Nov 2014

Posts: 10131

Location: Land of Tonka

John "J R"
Instagram: JRBowlsby
Smokin' Hound Que
Minnesota/ United States of America
********************************************
Assistants
Dexter (Beagle mix)
Kinnick (American Foxhound)
************************
Grills/Smokers/Fryers
Big Green Egg (Large) X2
Blackstone 36" Outdoor Griddle 4-Burner
Broil King Keg
Karubeque C-60
Kamado Joe Jr. (Black)
Lodge L410 Hibachi
Pit Barrel Cooker
Pit Barrel Cooker 2.0
R&V Works FF2-R-ST 4-Gallon Fryer
Weber Spirit Gasser
******************.
Thermometers
FireBoard (Base Package)
Thermoworks ThermaPen (Red)
Thermoworks MK4 (Orange)
**************
Accessories
BBQ Dragon
Big Green Egg Plate Setter
Benzomatic TS4000 Torch X 2
Benzomatic TS800 High Temp Torch X 2
Bayou Classic 44 qt Stainless Stock Pot
Bayou Classic 35K BTU Burner
Digi Q DX2 (Medium Pit Viper Fan)
Dragon VT 2-23 C Torch
Eggspander Kit X2
Field Skillet No. 8,10,12
Finex Cat Iron Line
FireBoard Drive
Lots and Lots of Griswold Cast Iron
Grill Grates
Joule Water Circulator
KBQ Fire Grate
Kick Ash Basket (KAB) X4
Lots of Lodge Cast Iron
Husky 6 Drawer BBQ Equipment Cabinet
Large Vortex
Marlin 1894 .44 Magnum
Marquette Castings No. 13 (First Run)
Smithey No. 12
Smokeware Chimney Cap X 3
Stargazer No.10, 12
Tool Wizard BBQ Tongs
Univex Duro 10" Meat Slicer
********************************
Fuel
FOGO Priemium Lump Charcoal
Kingsford Blue and White
Rockwood Lump Charcoal
Apple, Cherry & Oak Log splits for the C-60
**************************
Cutlery
Buck 119 Special
Dexter 12" Brisket Sword
Global
Shun
Wusthof
*******
Next Major Purchase
Lone Star Grillz 24 X 48 Offset
Top | #2

July 23rd, 2016, 08:47 PM

RonB The KCBS I went to in Minnesota (Minnesota in May) I am sorry to say, was a disappointment. However we are a BBQ deprived area. No vendors, factory reps or beer. Some of the Pitmasters were cool and willing to talk, some offered you food too. At the same time some pit masters were trying to be all secretive about what they were doing. Which is fine, I guess. But it was a little off putting.

Now this was in Minnesota. I imagine in VA you will have much more of a true experience. The Minnesota scene has a lot of growing to do before it becomes an actual event to attend and not be competing.
Comment
Jerod Broussard

Moderator

Joined: Jun 2014

Posts: 9447

Location: East Texas

Pit Barrel Cooker "Texas Brisket Edition"
Weber One Touch Premium Copper 22" Kettle (gift)
Slow 'n Sear for 22" Kettle
Weber One Touch Premium Black 26" Kettle (gift)
Slow 'n Sear XL for 26" Kettle (gift)
Weber Smokey Joe Gold
Weber Rapid Fire Chimney
Vortex
Maverick ET-732 White
Maverick ET-732 Copper
2- Auber SYL-1615 fan systems(Awesome!!!!!!!!)
Thermoworks Thermapen w/ Back light (gift)
Thermoworks Timestick
Cambro Model 300MPC110 w/ Winco SS Pans
B & B and Kingsford Charcoal
B & B Pellets
Top | #3

July 23rd, 2016, 09:15 PM

Get you a shirt made that has the following on the front and back:

"Don't Mind Me I'm Just Shigging."
1 like
Comment
2 - 4

4 comments

#3.2

Spinaker commented

July 23rd, 2016, 09:23 PM

Editing a comment

Oh you know me, Shigging away. I understand, I was just looking for more of a open atmosphere. We were some of the few spectators at this one.

#3.3

RonB commented

July 24th, 2016, 07:05 AM

Editing a comment

Well, I had to look up "shigging"...

#3.4

richinlbrg commented

July 24th, 2016, 08:26 AM

Editing a comment

Ditto, RonB ! Now that I understand what I read, it is hysterical! KUDOS. @jerodbroussard !
Nate

Charter Member

Joined: Apr 2015

Posts: 3777

Location: Pawnee, Indiana

INFO
~Known as: Nate
~Location: Cornfield in Southwestern Indiana
~Credit Manager for an Agriculture Coop.

SMOKERS & GRILLS
~Grilla Original Grilla
~Char-Broil Commercial Tru-Infrared Gas Grill
~Pit Barrel Cooker
~Brinkmann Trailmaster Vertical Offset Smoker
~Weber Kettle 22.5" Original
~Weber Q1000

THERMOMETERS
~Thermoworks Thermapen MX4
~Thermoworks Thermapen
~Thermoworks ThermoPop
~Thermoworks ChefAlarm TX-1100-XX (Orange and black)
~Thermoworks DOT TX-1200-XX (Black)
~Thermoworks IR-Gun-S Industrial Infrared Thermometer
~Maverick ET-733
~Maverick XR-50

ACCESSORIES
~Stanley T-Stak mobile tool box for BBQ Supplies
~Slow 'n' Sear
~Drip 'n' Griddle
~Weber Rapid Fire Chimney Starter
~Pro-Series Probes for Thermoworks
~Humphrey's Rib Spatula

DRINKS
~Sweet Tea
~Bourbon
~Craft Beers or whatever is in your fridge
Top | #4

July 23rd, 2016, 09:20 PM

Totally depends on the event and if it is tied in with any other event like a fair, wine sampling, etc...

Samples: I have been to events where there is taster's choice. Typically one category like pulled pork and it there was a fee to be a taster but you got a tray full of little cups full of pulled pork. Not guaranteed though.

Vendors: Again depends on event. Sometimes there will be novelty guys setup selling customized bbq shirts, aprons, and other things of the sorts. A buddy of mine goes and sets up an Operation BBQ Relief tent at some of the larger ones in our area. I did enjoy one I went to that had local wineries there doing tastings.

Factory/Accessory reps: Unless there is a local factory or accessory company nearby or that is sponsoring it. Then I wouldn't count on it

Talking w/ Pitmasters: Keep in mind that most KCBS events have turn in times starting at 12:00 noon and going through 1:30. The closer you get to these times then the less likely they will be willing to talk to you for obvious reasons. Some pit masters are willing to talk with you and others may not be as forthcoming (maybe a rookie or maybe just secretive or maybe just not a people person).

Adult Beverages: Totally depends on the venue... If you are concerned then you may want to pack a cooler and be willing to go back to your vehicle to drink. One of the ones I like to go to, as I mentioned before, has wine sampling, a beer garden, and some local vendors with trinkets and what not. It is kind of a festival so there is entertainment and everything else going on as well.

Equipment deals: Don't count on it unless... Someone is selling their rig or you meet a team who also is a manufacturer and maybe they will cut you a deal.

Comps are fun but temper your expectations. Some comps and the events they are tied to are a lot more fun than others. Go with an open mind and remember that not everything you see there will be how we do it in our backyards...

Hopefully CandySueQ will jump in and give you some more insight and correct anything I messed up.
Comment
RonB

Club Member

Joined: Apr 2016

Posts: 10842

Location: Near Richmond VA

Weber Performer Deluxe
SNS
Pizza insert
Rotisserie
Smokenator 1000
Cookshack Smokette Elite
2 Thermapens
Chefalarm
Dot
lots of probes.
CyberQ
Top | #5

July 24th, 2016, 07:09 AM

Thanx for the info everyone.
So what I'm getting from everyone is that this is not going to be a spectator event. I am still going, but I won't plan on spending as much time. Maybe I'll just take a few photos to share here....
Comment
1 comment

#5.1

Jerod Broussard commented

July 24th, 2016, 07:56 AM

Editing a comment

Smoker photos gallore!! Thanks in advance.
FireMan

Charter Member

Joined: Jul 2015

Posts: 6670

Location: Bottom of Winnebago
Top | #6

July 24th, 2016, 10:48 AM

More on shigging, " If you are looking, you are'nt cooking".
It sounds like you may not know what to expect. Keep an open mind & enjoy for whatever it's worth.
Ditto on smoker pics.

Last edited by FireMan; July 24th, 2016, 10:50 AM.
Comment
Craigar

Founding Member

Joined: Jul 2014

Posts: 1001

Location: Papillion, NE

* - Weber 26.75" OTG
* - Weber 22.5" Premium cloaked in Crimson
* - Slow 'N Sear
* - Smoke E-Z - 26.75" (The Grain Silo)
* - Lodge Sportsman Grill
* - Weber Rapid Fire Chimney Starter
* - Thermoworks ThermoPop
* - Thermoworks Dot
* - iGrill2 - 4 probes
* - Favorite Beer - the cold one in my hand (craft beers of all flavors; haven't had a blue yummy in over 6 years) my tastes change with the season so it is difficult to name just a couple. However, I will occasionally have a vanilla porter float in the summer (Empyrean Vanilla Porter w/a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream) as I usually drink stouts & porters in the colder months, pale ales & IPAs in the warmer months. I have to add Not Your Father's Root Beer to beers I use for floats.
* - Booze - I don't really have a favorite, but lean towards single malt Scotch & Irish whiskey
* - Wines - Reds: mainly the heavy stuff mixed in with the occasional pinot noir ( I have yet to meet a malbec I didn't like); Whites: German & Nebraska (hey, I have to support the home team)
* - Favorite Spice outlets - Frisco Spices in LaVista, NE (the local butcher supply shop); Volcanic Peppers in Bellevue, NE
* - Current butchers: Just Good Meats & Fareway Foods
Top | #7

July 25th, 2016, 10:04 AM

There is a competition going to be in our area the first weekend of August. In conjunction with the event they are also having a Big Green Egg Egg Fest. $20/person to attend which includes samples, door prizes and if you're in the market for a new egg you can buy one that was used in the competition.
Comment
CandySueQ

Moderator

Joined: Jul 2014

Posts: 1620

Pellet Fired Jambo, T1000 Woodmaster, FEC100, MAK 2 star, Yoder 640, Backwoods Pellet Chef, 14" & 22" WSM, 22" Weber Kettle, Stoven, Hot Box Grill, Hasty Bake Portable
Top | #8

July 25th, 2016, 10:13 AM

I love Egg Fests! Lots of fun and a great way to snag a cheaper than normal BGE. The Pit is the Best way to get BBQ information! Contests are hit and miss for all the reasons mentioned above. With one exception, King of the Smoker in Coachella, CA. That contest, after brisket turn in the pitmasters (some of the best in the country) do a 20 minute lecture on a specific topic. It's well worth the ticket price.
Comment
Thom Emery

Former Member

Joined: Sep 2014

Posts: 473

Location: Indio Ca
Top | #9

August 1st, 2016, 05:22 PM

Did ya have fun ?
Comment
1 comment

#9.1

RonB commented

August 1st, 2016, 05:45 PM

Editing a comment

No...

But then it's still two weeks off.
Thom Emery

Former Member

Joined: Sep 2014

Posts: 473

Location: Indio Ca
Top | #10

August 3rd, 2016, 08:15 PM

Ok 😃 Enjoy
Comment

Welcome!

SPOTLIGHT

Some Of Our Favorite Tools And Toys

These are not ads. These are products we love and highly recommend. Click here to read more about our medals and what they mean.

Digital Thermometers Are Your Most Valuable Tool And Here's A Great Buy!

If you have a Weber Kettle, you need the Slow 'N' Sear

Bring The Heat With Broil King Signet's Dual Tube Burners

The Good-One Is A Superb Grill And A Superb Smoker All In One

Griddle And Deep Fryer All In One

The Pit Barrel Cooker May Be Too Easy

The Swiss Army Knife Of Thermometers

Click here to read our test results and comprehensive review and why it won our Platinum Medal.

Compact Powerful Sear Machine For Your Next Tailgater

The Cool Kettle With The Hinged Hood We Always Wanted

G&F Suede Welder's Gloves

Heat Resistant Gloves With Extra Long Sleeves Hold The Hot Stuff

GrillGrates Take Gas Grills To The Infrared Zone

Our Favorite Backyard Smoker

Masterbuilt MPS 340/G ThermoTemp XL Propane Smoker

The First Propane Smoker With A Thermostat Makes This Baby Foolproof

Professional Steakhouse Knife Set

Is This Superb Charcoal Grill A Kamado Killer?

Fireboard: The Ultimate Top Of The Line BBQ Thermometer

Finally, A Great Portable Pellet Smoker

Announcement

Meat-Up in Memphis 2020

Going to my first KCBS event, (as a spectator).