As the US waits for the other shoe to drop, countless Americans are tightening their belts yet another notch, looking for any and all ways to cut corners.  Personally, I've started bringing my lunch to work each day, have stopped collecting porcelain clown figurines, gave up my golf game (which luckily I never started so the sting was minor), and **gasp** started finding ways to but my cooking costs.

 

Now in our second full year of competition BBQ, the desire to compete and spend time with our countless friends out there on the road remains strong, but the cost involved with doing each contest weighs heavily in the back of my mind throughout the season.  But instead of throwing in the towel completely, team Smoke In Da Eye (www.smokeindaeye.com) has come up with ways to keep the competition costs down...

 

1) Find contests close to home, cutting down on the expense of hauling all that junk across countless state lines.

 

2) Find contests that are downhill from your home so you can coast.  Note, this only works one way but hopefully you'll win some cash and won't care about the gas it'll cost getting back up that hill.

 

3) Minimize the meat you cook.  Instead of making a whole brisket in order to get the six slices necessary for judging, use a portion for each contest.  Just make sure you cook it perfectly!  And instead of turning in six chicken thighs, cut one thigh into six perfect slices.

 

4) Cut down on charcoal and wood consumption by Tetris-izing your smoker.  It takes some practice, but when placed at the proper angles, briskets, ribs, pork shoulders and chicken can all fit snuggly into a single Weber Smokey Mountain.

 

5) Borrow.  Whether it's two pieces of wood, 4 uncooked ribs or a cup of sauce, borrowing various elements for the contest from various teams can really add up.  Be sure to keep track of who you borrow from and change requests frequently in order to avoid the mootch label.

 

6) Reuse garnish.  The judges aren't eating it so politely ask for it back after you've been scored and rinse for the next outting. 

 

7) Skip the thermometers, gurus, and other electronic enhancements.  Electricity costs money but your hands are free.  Learn to tell temperatures by touch (if it blisters, your smoker is too hot.  If you can stick your tongue on it, it's too cold).  Also blowing on the fire can be as effective as a Guru, though you may not sleep as much.

 

8) Don't shower for two days and sleep outside instead of in a warm motel room (most competitors do this anyway but it does save money).

 

9) Win and collect prize money (assuming there is any.  The market for used trophies is surprisingly limited).

 

10) Make copies of Smoke In Da Eye's Ten Tips to Cutting Contest Costs on your office copier then sell to fellow competitors at your next contest.