KBQ - The "Maiden Voyage"

[BBQ_Bill]

One funny thought just popped into my head... RENTING these KBQ C-60s out if I ever decide to stop selling meats! LOL!

[BBQ_Bill]

Yes lostclusters
Consider a fellow starting his maiden voyage into a public venture such as catering BBQ or supplying cooked meats to a growing number of stationary break trucks...
(Like the ones sitting in city parking lots)
-
It sort of makes more sense to buy more C60 units than to buy one Friedrich KBQ-400 or an Oyler smoker when cooking for customers in a production type situation.
There are few disadvantages with many advantages.
Like...
Cooking different meats at different temperatures, all at the same time.
And timing or staging the starts of those cooks so they can meet schedules.
Also, cooking with different woods like apple wood for pork while cooking with Oak for beef ribs.
Plus using more KBQ C-60 smokers, or less according to demand.
A sudden catering order of good size with several different meats required would be a "tall order" with only one large smoker, right?
There are many other benefits to single units versus one big smoker like slowly increasing your cooking power as your customer base and finances grow.
-
The big one for someone slowly starting up a business is price...
1 each KBQ-400 @ $23,000 versus 8 each KBQ C-60 units @ around $12,000.
Both will cook the same volume of meat.
To me, it all makes good sense to a backyard BBQ person cooking occasionally for family, that is slowly moving into a growing customer situation.
That is BBQ Bill in a nutshell my friend.

[lostclusters]

So BBQ_Bill, you have THREE KBQs????

[BBQ_Bill]

The General Electric switches arrived today.
They do not have a light that indicates whether they are on or off, but they fit the KBQ Controller snugly, sliding UNDER the "Rain Lip" nicely as shown.


UPDATE:
Yeah, I am done with this "switch" thing.
My hope's are that these hold up and last.
Time will tell.
-
GE 25511 Grounded Power Switch

[BBQ_Bill]

So $4.58 + 1st Class USPS shipping, which would probably be about $3.50 to $4.00 (Let me know if you cannot find them locally, and I will order for you when I place my next order) OR, I can post the item number there on eBay.

[BBQ_Bill]

UPDATE: The pins seem to work fine. I will be purchasing 4 more to use in my other two KBQs.
If you have a local hardware store, you may be able to buy them cheaper than what I can sell them to you for, considering I would also charge what it costs to mail them to you. Bought on eBay.

[BBQ_Bill]

Timcee Rfuilrez

The stainless steel "Quick Pins" arrived today. (For holding the door on)
I tried them and they seem to work so far.
There is a bit of "play" in them, but the door opens and closes and latches correctly.



I have 4 Packer Briskets and a load of Chicken Breasts to smoke for a 11 a.m. Saturday sale.
These will get a "workout" so I will post an UPDATE afterwards and let you guys know what I think of them when all is "said and done."
-
I paid $4.58 for two with "free" shipping so the price was good.
-
UPDATE
They performed with no problems during this cook, however as mentioned, there is play in them, but the door opened and closed without incident.
They come out nicely with a tug to overcome the spring loaded ball.
I am satisfied so far.
Time will tell if the heat deteriorates the spring tension on the ball.
Went ahead and bought 4 more for the other two KBQ's.

[BBQ_Bill]

I started with pulling the plug on the control box, then went to a power strip on the wall feeding extension cords, and now am going to be trying a switch at the end of a 12" "extension cord" hanging from each KBQ. As soon as my GE switches arrive, I think I will be done playing with this.

[ComfortablyNumb]

To stop the fan I just pull the plug on the control box, add/fluff wood, then push the plug back on the box. I suppose it’s not as neat as a switch, but it works and is cheap. I wonder if they make an extension cord with a switch built in?

[BBQ_Bill]

Good point Histrix
With the door open, there would be no draw through the firebox.