Good vibes, good smells, good company and good meat. There’s nothing quite a backyard smoke-off, whether it’s a family gathering, party, or even a work function. Now we’re heading into summer, if you want to make the most of the good weather and host an event that people will really remember, here’s how to organise a memorable and mouthwatering smoke-off from start to finish.
1. Get Everyone Together
We’re stating the obvious here, but step one is to get the invites out and gauge interest, and just remember that the tone matters. Keep it light and inclusive, because you probably don’t want this to be a cutthroat cookoff, an Iron Chef challenge, or bring the local Gordon Ramsay-like to the table (every town has one). Focus on sharing a love of BBQ and make it clear that all experience levels are welcome to join in.
2. Set the Ground Rules
Keep it simple. Set a date, a time, and a few basic rules. Here’s a straightforward setup:
- Main protein: Pick one category to get everyone to cook—brisket, ribs, pulled pork, or chicken are all solid choices.
- Cooking method: All meat must be smoked on-site using a smoker, pellet grill, or offset.
- Start time: Let people fire up early in the day, but agree on a judging window (e.g. 4–5pm).
- Blind tasting: Each team submits a sample in an unmarked container for judging. That way, it’s all about the meat, not the cook.
Encourage teams to get creative with rubs and sauces. Want to go the extra mile? Let each team set up a tasting table and let spectators vote for a “People’s Choice” award.
3. Safe Smoking = Happy Cooking
A smoke-off means long hours with hot equipment, so a few safety tips go a long way:
- Keep smokers away from fences, dry grass, or anything flammable.
- Have a fire extinguisher or hose nearby. It sounds obvious, but you really don’t want to overlook the safety best practices.
- Use proper BBQ gloves and tongs. No one wants to go from brisket hero to emergency room visitor.
- Stay sober while you're at the grill. Consider setting a rule that the beers only get cracked open after the meat hits the stall. A lot of people do enjoy a beer while they BBQ, but in this instance you’ll have a lot of people cooking together and need to limit the risk of accidents.
For newer cooks, pellet smokers like the Green Mountain Grills Ledge Prime 2.0 offer a great balance of control and flavour, with WiFi features that make managing long smokes a breeze. Just load it up with quality pellets and let the slow magic happen.
4. The Judging Table
Judging a BBQ comp doesn’t have to be overly technical, but a little structure helps. You’ll want at least three impartial judges (ideally not competing), and a scoring sheet covering:
- Appearance (10 points): Does it look appetising?
- Texture (10 points): Is it tender, not mushy or tough?
- Flavour (10 points): Balance of smoke, seasoning, and meat.
Add up the scores and crown your champion. Get a cheap trophy or custom apron made up for a laugh, remembering that it’s about bragging rights, not big prizes.
5. Feed the Crowd
Even if you’re competing, make sure there’s food for spectators too. Set up a communal table with sides, salads, or a sausage sizzle. Ask people to bring something to share, whether that’s a potato salad, corn on the cob, or baked beans are all BBQ favourites that travel well.
And then, of course, make sure that the smoked meats get shared out after judging. Respect the meats and don’t let anything go to waste.
6. Make it a Tradition
Once you’ve hosted one, it’s easy to build on for next year. Create a shared photo album, keep notes on what worked, and rotate the host house or park.
You can even add themed rounds—seafood one year, wings the next—or invite neighbouring streets to join in and grow the event. Before you know it, your humble BBQ challenge might become the hottest ticket in town.
A backyard smoke-off is the perfect way to bring people together because it doesn’t require flashy venues or expensive gear. Just good food, friendly competition, and the kind of smoky vibes that turn neighbours into mates.
So dust off your smoker, fire up the coals, and start planning. Whether you take home the trophy or just enjoy a plate full of ribs, the real win is the community you build around the BBQ.