BBQ Trailer for Sale

If you know of anyone looking for a very, very nice enclosed 7 x 16 tandem axle trailer with fold down rear door and concession window, let me know. The trailer has e-Trac, electric trailer brakes, insulation throughout the walls and ceiling, electric outlets throughout, a triple sink, linoleum, wipe-down walls, cabinets, lighting, RV door, spare tire, roof vents, LED brakelights, 6 inches of additional height, and 30 amps that run through a breaker box.

The trailer was manufacturered by Doolittle and is one of the heaviest built trailers I've ever seen. The tongue and frame are very well built. You'll have to look far and wide to find a better built trailer.

The trailer is three years old. I am confident that it would cost more than $9,000 to duplicate this trailer today. I will take $6,900 for the trailer.

Currently, the trailer is being stored at my parents' house in Boonville, Missouri.

Kingfisher Kookers - BBQ Smokers

I have been looking for a towable smoker to replace my 7 x 16 enclosed trailer. Kingfisher Kookers makes a nice rotisserie smoker that's rapidly moving up my list of favorites. My choice is between two Kingfisher models: The BT Komination rotisserie and the Commercial Smoker rotisserie. Here are some features of both from the Kingfisher website.

The BT model weighs 500 lbs.

• The smoking chamber is 30 x 34 x 40 and contains four trays.
• The trays are 10 x 37 for a total tray surface of 1,480 square inches.
• Each tray will hold approximately four briskets.
• The smoker has a wood storage box, an integrated work table, and a warming rack.
• Additional cooking racks can be purchased that essentially double meat capacity.

The Commercial model weighs 1,075 lbs.

• The smoking/cooking chamber is 42" x 48" x 48" and contains six trays.
• Seven to nine sides of ribs (3 1/2 downs) can be placed on each tray by using rib racks.
• A tray will hold five to six trimmed briskets.
• Whole hogs, dressed (up to 70 pounds) and trussed can be placed on each tray.
• Trays 10" x 44" create a total tray surface of 2,772 square inches.
• The firebox area is 24" x 16" x 16". The firebox will hold split wood up to 24 inches in length.
• The oven is 9" x 18" x 42", and has a safety latch on the door.
• The top of the oven serves as a warming area for sauces and marinades.
• The available warming surface is 24" x 42".
• There is a work table, 30" x 42", twelve inches above the warming surface, that includes a handle for moving the unit when it is off the towing tongue and on the caster wheel.
• Built on a trailer axle, with springs and tires, towing tongue and caster wheel, is road ready.

Kingfisher has a nice network of dealers too.

Gas Prices Affecting BBQ Contest

When we started competing in bbq contests, the price of gasoline was $1.53 per gallon. This morning gasoline was selling for $3.41 per gallon in the Tampa area. At 12 mpg, we're going to have to reconsider the way we travel to bbq contests and how many extra creature comforts we take along with us.

I've been taking a look at the versatile smoker/grill offered by Tucker Cookers. At under 1,000 pounds, the Tucker can be towed by less than a full sized pick-up or SUV, which should cut down on gasoline expenses. Unfortunately, most small cars will not safely tow more than 1,000 pounds, which leaves no extra room for ice chests, meat, supplies, chairs, tents, etc.

Our Ford Explorer, equipped with 4.6 L V-8, will tow our 7 x 16 tandem axle trailer fairly well, but the extra weight pulls the gas mileage down to 12 mpg from the normal 16 or 17 mpg.

If you know of anyone looking for a very, very nice enclosed tandem axle trailer with fold down rear door and concession window, let me know. The trailer has electric trailer brakes, insulation throughout the walls and ceiling, electric outlets throughout, a triple sink, linoleum, wipe-down walls, and 30 amps that run through a breaker box.

U.S. BBQ Index - Updated!

I am not sure whether I'm the first to coin the term "U.S. Barbecue Index", but I've been tracking some bbq stocks for the past few years. Click here to read some of the other posts.

The column on the left represents the original price in November 2005, when I started tracking them. The column on the right represents the recent price on April 11, 2008

U.S. Barbecue Index
Archer Daniels Midland................$ 24.52, current = $34.47
Clorox Company............................$ 54.29, current = $55.04
Darden Restaurants......................$ 36.09, current = $33.95
Famous Dave's of America...........$ 10.93, current = $10.34
Fleetwood Enterprises..................$ 11.13, current = $3.89
H.J. Heinz Company......................$ 35.70, current = $46.70
Hormel Foods Corporation...........$ 32.62, current = $40.97
Pilgrim's Pride Corporation..........$ 31.97, current = $19.10
Seaboard Corporation...................$1,685.00, current = $1,549
Smithfield Foods............................$ 30.38, current = $24.91
Tyson Foods...................................$ 16.78, current = $16.85
Wal-Mart Stores............................$ 50.49, current = $54.80
Index Total...........$2,019.90, current = $1,890.02

After being up 24% earlier this year this list of stocks is now down 6% since I started tracking them. I guess bbq isn't immune to changes in the overall economy after all.

Martin's BBQ Joint

If you've ever contemplated opening a bbq restaurant, bbq joint, or even a bbq concession and catering business and haven't been following along with Martin's BBQ Blog, then you're missing out on a valuable source of information and dare I say -- reality.

In just a few short months Martin's in Nolensville, TN has gone from a remodeled Mexican restaurant to one of the best bbq joints in the Metropolitan Nashville area. He's cooked for the Nolensville locals and served bbq to some of Music City's biggest and brightest, and it's all documented on the blog for everyone to read about.

The restuarant has been written about in the local newspapers and news / advertising magazines with good reviews.

My sister in-law lives in Nolensville and vouches for the quality of the 'que. I haven't been there yet, but I've been following along via the World Wide Web. The next time in Nolensville visiting, I'm definitely going to stop in.

Martin's BBQ Blog documents the reality of borrowing money, choosing a pit, hiring staff, keeping staff, controlling costs, seasonal sales considerations, and installing a Point-of-Sale system to keep track of the numbers.

BFT video

As a long-time F-150 owner and Ford Truck fan, I just had to pass along this video from BFT. I promise it will make you laugh. It's a man thing.

UP Hog Wild BBQ Contest

This morning I received an e-mail from John Bertoldi, president of UP Hog Wild . For the uninitiated, UP stands for Upper Peninsula. (It's a Michigan thing.)

The popularity of bbq contests in Michigan is growing and the UP contest is in its' fourth year.

The UP Hog Wild event is sanctioned by KCBS and is being held in Kingsford Michigan. They will have music, a car show, a big class reunion, and more. Check out http://www.uphogwild.com/ for all the details and a list of teams registered for 2008. They are looking for a few good bbq vendors for the event.