I judged the 2008 Diamond State BBQ competition

[Vaison]

and had the opportunity to see that there are some people who know how to make some really good BBQ.  I have also noticed that there are a few people who had no business in the competition.

While I am still a newbie to smoking and have really only done ribs and brisket a few times, I feel as if I would have a competitive (BDS smoked) brisket if I were to enter a competition.  I looked around at the competition and saw some pretty amazing setups but I did not see a Bradley.  Has anyone here competed with one? 

Oh for reference, I found someone who linked a few photos of those BBQ'ing at the competition:

http://www.huckshut.com/2008/10/19/huck-heads-to-the-diamond-state-bbq-championship/

[NePaSmoKer]

I had someone tell me that a BS cant be used in any sanctioned BBQ event.... They could have been wrong and given me bad info.


nepas

[Mr Walleye]

Hey Vaison

I've never competed either but it certianly looks like a great experience and fun was had by all!  ;)

Thanks for sharing!

Mike

[Habanero Smoker]

Sounds great. That is my goal for next year. I hope to be a judge at a Ribfest in August, '09. I just have to remember to sign up for the certifying class in April.

There is one member, I believe from St. Louis, or some other location in Missouri who was suppose to compete with the Bradley smoker. He never posted his results.

[beefmann]

have   been to a few  events like this as a patron and would have to  ageree  most made great  food and  others had no business being there... it  was my impression that  it  was a "BBQ" event over a  smoke event.. as it was  explained to me that to be involved in the  event you  needed to  use logs / wood charcoal or simular type  of  fuel.. not gas or  electric...

[westexasmoker]

Yep Nepas got it right, if its sanctioned the BS is illegal, but always read the rules for the event.  We have a big event here each year thats non sanctioned and the BS is allowed, its run by the chamber of commerce and more geared for businesses then we have another event that is sanctioned and pays money for prizes and the BS is illegal.  You can still pull off some killer Q in the offset, just alot more babysitting!

C

[Habanero Smoker]

It wasn't that long ago that a member posted about competing with the Bradley, and this discussion came up. He stated this was his second year. According to the member that competed with the Bradley, it was a sanctioned event. I'm not sure if KCBS was one of them. Often there are different judging categories even at a sanction even, so evidently some do allow electric smokers to participate, but KCBS is not one of them.

Our local ribfest is sanctioned by KCBS, and NEBS also participates; both have similar but slightly different rules, neither allow electric smokers. I believe Hannaford (sponsor) has it's own competition within the ribfest. So as WTS states always read the rules. Although the Bradley is called a smoker, the temperatures that most of us smoke/cook at are barbecue temperatures.