A few weeks ago, my favorite Sam's Club rep asked me if I'd be interested in the opportunity to "grill" Rod Gray of the competitive BBQ team Pellet Envy. Pellet Envy won last year's KCBS Team of the Year by besting about 4,800 other teams throughout the year's contests. If you have never been to a sanctioned BBQ contest, you don't understand what an achievement it is to win one event, let alone be consistent enough all year to win Team of the Year. It takes not only skill but an enormous amount of practice, dedication and sacrifice. For example, Rod spent weeks on end away from home and traveled 40,000+ miles to compete. Diva Q can tell you, it is hard work competing.
Of course I jumped at the chance and last week, Cyndi (Yes! You Can Grill) and I spent an hours long phone conversation picking Rod's brain for tips, trick, and techniques about grilling and BBQ. Rod was incredibly busy. Not only was he trying to get ready for the Daytona Smoke On The Water contest, he was also serving the likes of Dale Jarrett and other NASCAR personnel some amazing Q as part of a promotional event for Sam's.

I have pages of notes from the conversation and have struggled with what I should write about, since I can't cover it all. I decided to limit it to one technique tip, one ingredient tip, and on preparation tip.
Technique Tip
Fruit woods like cherry or apple will increase coloring of the smoked meats but have lower heat. Oak and hickory put out higher heat (BTU). I have often mixed fruit and hardwoods but never knew the coloring or BTU issues.
Ingredient Tip
I asked about specialty meats like waygu beef or berkshire pork. Rod advised he doesn't use it in competition and his results last year speak for themselves. He uses USDA choice beef and gets all of his pork from Sam's because he can pretty much get them at any contest site.
Prime Secret: Rod mentioned that Sam's is dabbling in USDA prime beef. He said he has found it in Kansas City and Daytona Sam's only recently. It hasn't hit Tennessee as of this week but keep your eyes peeled, you might get lucky.
Preparation Tip
A common theme in several areas of discussion (common grilling mistakes/cooking for crowds/contests) was that ADVANCE PREP WORK MAKES GRILLING MORE FUN. Do anything you can a day or at least hours in advance to make the cooking fun for you. Plan your menu around that concept and follow your plan. Simple yet effective!
Sam's Club Giveaway
Sam's Club is sponsoring another giveaway for me. This time up for grabs for one lucky winner

1) A free Sam's Club membership (I think that's a $35 value if memory serves) and
2) a $25 Sam's Club gift card
To enter, all you have to do is check their website here and then in the comment section below tell me what is the closest Sam's location to you. A winner will be drawn via random.org on Monday (7/12/10 7pm EST) and my rep will send the winner the prize directly.
FTC Disclosure Notice
While Sam's is sponsoring the giveaway prize, no compensation has been provided to me for posting this. I post these because I appreciate them supporting the competitive and recreational BBQ/grilling events.
I have been a paid member of Sam's Club since 1999 and enjoy getting a lot of my grilling products from them. Here is my top 10 list of things I get from my Sam's Club
- nitrile gloves (food handling)
- 1/4 cup plastic serving cups - they are recyclable and make "on the fly" measuring during prep work so amazingly easy!
- pork butts
- spare ribs (3 pack) (Thank you for not selling those nasty "enhanced" ribs)
- whole pork loin
- chicken wings
- bulk rolls of aluminum foil
- steam pans and 1/2 steam pans
- short paper products (paper plates, solo cups, serving trays)
- whole beef ribeye
The closest Sam's to me is located at:
ReplyDelete6336 College Grove Way
San Diego, CA 92115
Thanks!
kristisdeals1 at yahoo dot com
Humacao Sam's Club
ReplyDeletePo Box 920
Humacao, PR 00741
Distance: 58.8 mi
Less than 60 miles... A leisurely drive
But seriously, in a month, back in kansas, I have been a member for more than 15 years... there is one in Overland Park KS that I shop at.
What an incredible opportunity for you. Keep posting!
There's no Sam's Club near me so I'm going to abstain from the giveaway but I will definitely be showing my dad these bbq tips!
ReplyDeleteSo when is your next bbq competition, mister grillmaster? :P
2801 Northwest 13th Street
ReplyDeleteGainesville, FL 32609
My closest Sam's.....they are my local meat source.
Rick Worley
Mijoey,
ReplyDeleteThe Melbourne, Fl. Sam's Club is 5 miles away and very convenient.
Bet you got some good tips from that interview. Lucky you. No Sam's Club here, so that's too bad for us. :(
ReplyDeleteWallaby says great blog
ReplyDeleteDayton Sam's Club #8136
1111 Miamisburg-Centerville Road | Dayton, OH 45458
(937) 436-0299 | (937) 291-019
The closest Sam's to me is:
ReplyDeleteKnoxville Sam's Club
8435 Walbrook Dr
Knoxville, TN 37923
Distance: 26.7 mi
8435 Walbrook Dr
ReplyDeleteKnoxville, Tn
Wausau Sam's Club
ReplyDelete4000 Rib Mountain Dr.
Wausau, WI 54401
Distance: 38.6 mi
The closest is the Kissimmee, FL SAMS, 14 miles away.... Or the one in Orlando if I take a different way home, its 17 miles ...:)
ReplyDeleteChris...the Sam's by me is:
ReplyDeleteChesterfield Sam's Club
196 THF BLVD
Chesterfield, MO 63005
Thanks!
BBQ Bretheren name: Big_AL
My closest to home is:
ReplyDelete3839 Mundy Mill Road
Oakwood, GA 30566
Cool opportunity to interview a grilling pro!
ReplyDeleteClosest Sam's to me is in Lexington:
063 New Circle Rd. Ne
Lexington, KY 40505
Distance: 14 mi
Great contest!
Chris- Sorry about the loss of your friend on the forum.
ReplyDeleteI had fun catching up on everything you've been making. Loved the burger throwdown and the angel food dessert with grilled peaches. I'm still baffled that you don't like desserts all that much. I don't wanna hear that nonsense anymore;-)
Great contest!
closest Sam's to me is 1063 New Circle Rd. Ne in Lexington.
the ribs look juicy! cant find the comment area for that post :) so im gonna leave it here!!
ReplyDeletehave a lovely weekend love.
jen
Memphis is the closest one to me which is about an hour and a half away but we have to drive that all the time because our town is so small,it does not have much in it.
ReplyDeletejacksoncrisman@yahoo.com
got my fingers crossed.Thanks!
Here is the closest to home:
ReplyDelete3530 Lakeland Highlands Rd
Lakeland, FL 33803
T.K.
Hey Chris...this is the closest Sam's Club to me...which I always look at which longing since I don't have a membership:
ReplyDeleteMishawaka Sam's Club
120 Indian Ridge Blvd
Mishawaka, IN 46545
Thanks for the opportunity!
I also wanted to tell you that I am sorry for your loss...and those ribs are a beautiful, magical tribute =)
Hi Chris,
ReplyDeleteGreat post about Carwash Mike, thank you.
My Sams Club is about 2 miles away at:
15255 N. Northsight
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
I belong to Costco but would love to try Sams. Have a great weekend.
Troutman from Egghead forum (Scott)
My closest Sam's is in North Charleston, South Carolina.
ReplyDeleteMidnight Smoker from Egghead forum (Paul Jenkins)
I've never heard of a Sam's Club so I am sure we don't have one. We belong to Costoc - is that the same thing?
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I wanted to say that the post above was a touching tribute to your friend Mike. Sorry for your loss.
I use Sams for the bulk of my BB-Q contest needs..
ReplyDeleteFreehold NJ Sams Club closest to me.
ReplyDeletePick me, I love meat.
Dont go there.
Cant find ur comment section in the above rib post?
I'd love to win this. Not a member and have one close to me.
ReplyDeleteLone Tree Sam's Club
7817 Park Meadows Dr.
Lone Tree, CO 80124
Distance: 3.7 mi
Hi Chris,
ReplyDeleteI have been reading your blog for a while now, but I haven't posted until today. Your tribute to your friend Carwash Mike was very touching. I am so sorry for your loss.
Your recipes always look amazing, and I have been contemplating purchasing a Big Green Egg as a result! My husband and I grill on gas Weber Summit, but I would love to learn how to grill on a charcoal/ceramic grill. If I ever get brave enough to try it, your recipes will be the first ones I try! Thanks for sharing your passion!
Kim in MD
I have a Sam's Club just a few miles away-
2100 Generals Highway
Annapolis, MD 21401
My Sam's is:
ReplyDeleteWest Jordan Sam's Club
7571 South 3800 West
West Jordan, UT 84084
Distance: 2.2 mi
We like shopping there, because you can get a lot of groceries in bulk and freeze them. Haven't been there in a few months, but I hear you can get 2 bags of charcoal for the price of one anywhere else.
my Sam's Club membership ran out right around this time last year and boy, do I miss it! I love the deals and the club sized packages, I love to buy in bulk and take advantage of great prices. My closest Sams Club is:
ReplyDeleteAugusta Sam's Club
45 Market Place Dr.
Augusta, ME 04330
enjoyed reading your interview/questions, esp. the techniques tips which were very helpful about they types of wood used-hubby loves to cook with wood, so I enjoyed reading this.
micaela6955 at msn dot com
My nearest Sam's Club
ReplyDeleteCincinnati Sam's Club
800 Kemper Common Circle
Cincinnati, OH 45246
Distance: 4.7 mi
I have never shopped at a Sam's Club before but would be willing to try especially if they are selling prime beef. YUM! says my BGE :-)
vohsmk is my user name on the BGE forum.
How cool that you were able to interview him - I bet you picked up lots of great tips - not that you need them! My closest Sam's:
ReplyDeleteFishkill Sam's Club
56 West Merritt Blvd
Fishkill, NY 12524
The closest Sam's to me is at:
ReplyDeleteLittle Rock Sam's Club
900 S. Bowman Rd.
Little Rock, AR 72211
thecartoonlovinmama(at)gmail(dot)com
Burbank!
ReplyDeleteWell darn, I missed the giveaway. I have a couple different giveaways going on now, come on over to enter at Menagerie and Seaside Simplicity :-)
ReplyDelete