Customer Reviews

Competition BBQ Secrets: A Barbecue Instruction Manual for Serious Competitors and Back Yard Cooks Too

5 star:		(65)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I bought this book based largely on the title after searching for select BBQ cook books. I've been cooking BBQ for just a couple of years and am trying to reach the "next level" by refining my recipes and techniques, and looked forward to a better understanding of BBQ competition and the techniques\recipes for preparing all the meat categories. There are four things I found disappointing:

1) The recipes rely on rubs or sauces that are only available through certain commercial sources.
2) There are several rub and sauce recipes, but none are referenced or used in the book.
3) The descriptions of trimming and preparation could be greatly improved with the addition of more photographs.
4) This is a useful book only if you already have experience with BBQ.

I also have to agree with one other reviewer that the book cost is about $15 more than it's worth.

I have been cooking BBQ about 4 months now. I bought this book thinking i was going to get some really good inside competition information. I read the 70 pages in a pdf which would be 35 or so in paperback form unless you used really big fonts. There was not one thing in this book that you can't find for free at [...]
, the weber virtual bullet site, food network or in any blogs or message boards in a couple hours time. When i wrote bill to tell him of my discontent his reply was as follows:

"Yeah... the info might be available on the internet in only a few places,
but there is also a lot of bad information and only partial information. How
much time have you wasted online and how many mistakes have you made in your
trials? If you really want "all" the details of how I won 4 grands last
year, go to [...] - I'm telling you... I leave out no
details! Members have already won 2 grands this year, some reserves, and
many, many good paying walks. "

Thanks,
Bill Anderson
For all the products we sell, visit [...]

Can you believe this guy...i know you paid me for competition secrets that i did NOT deliver on but if you really want to know some...PAY ME MORE MONEY TO WATCH MY VIDEOS!! Absolutly unbelievable the nerve and ego of this guy!!!

The book is more of a paphlet, not a true book. It does give some tips, but not a great value.

I'm a certified chef who's been in the restaurant business for more than 30 years, as well as a BBQ enthusiasts who smokes on a Lang 84 and a Judge for Memphis in May World Champion Barbecue Cooking Contest. I think Bill Anderson's book, Competition BBQ Secrets is a very well thought out, well written book that would absolutely benefit any barbecue enthusiast. He goes over the basics of many aspects of barbecue with great detail and helps explain how things work & why with great clarity. He explains the mechanics of several different kinds of smokers & how to use them, as well as building and maintaining your fire properly. The book tells you how to select the meat & trim it, prepare it and store it for future consumption as one would at a contest. In addition he gives some basic recipes and guidelines on how to barbecue beef, chicken & various pork products. Whether you're just starting up and trying to learn the basics or if you've been Que'n for a while and want some tips, Bill's book is a winner. If you already know everything that's in Bill's book and don't think it's of much use as some reviews have suggested, maybe you should just write your own. That is after you've won as many championships as Bill :)

Plain and simple, there is not a thing in this book you can't get for free by searching "How to cook BBQ" on the interwebs. I would argue that the books redeeming quality is that the info is collected in one place. Still, if you're cooking low & slow, you've got time for a few internet searches. Spend your money on a good thermometer.

I received this book as a gift, This book was a HUGE disappointment! If your a beginner it is ok, if your a seasoned competitor or pitmaster save your money, the only secret I can see is how they feel charging you [...] for a book like this is with such a deceptive title is amazing. I'll be selling mine alot cheaper then they are listed here, sorry but this one isnt worth your time or money! If your looking for a good beginners book I would buy Smoke and Spice!

For [...] I figured you would get a book loaded with infomation, Instead, you get a 100-page book. (I expected much more!) You also receive information about the website BarbecueCoach.com, which will set you back [...] per month for full videos on cooking. You won't get to the really good stuff to cook for a few months. If you buy his full membership for [...] you get all videos immediately. There are other books and websites (such as YouTube and [...]) that will give you this information for FREE!! Would I buy this book again or recommend it? If you want to line the author's pockets with money then YES; if not, there are other sources of information that are a lot less expensive.

I don't know where the people came from that gave this book a bad review. First of all, a person who has been cooking BBQ for "4 months" is not in any position to be giving professional advice. I had been cooking BBQ for several years before buying this book and started my own team about two years ago. A lot of the information in this book is available here and there on the web, but this book eliminates the BS and gets straight to the point. I have bought several books only to find that 80% is filler and ressemble recipe books. If you are looking for a nice hardback book to display on your coffee table this is not the book for you. If you want quick facts, no filler and just straight-up info...this is a great book. Bill is not an actor or salesman (I've seen the videos), but he is one hell of a cook.

We have mixed and matched many methods, but have had the best luck with Bills. In our first four competitions we have a 1st in pork, a 7th overall and 3 top-tens. We have not caught the big dogs yet, but we are well out of the backyard.

Piglet Enemy 2011

Well if you need few secrets about bbq this is the first place to start. this will help alot in the competiton bbq cookoffs, but you do need to know a few things about bbq before you start. this book will help you in the cookoffs on the little things that no one will tell you. if you dont start with a little advantage you will be behind the 8 ball from the start. i purchased this and the video portion for about eight months. i have not been a grand champion yet but i will . i started 2 years ago with bills help from his sites only, never talked to the guy or meet him, but i have placed in the top 5 in every catergory in less than 10 contest and placed in the top 10 in 7 out of 10. ive had people tell at comps that they cooked for 5 or more years and not done that good, so spend the 29.95 and start with a little help. youll be glad you did.


D Byard
Clarksville tn

I've been smoking BBQ for several years and own dozens of cookbooks full of pretty recipes. This is the first book that tells me how to improve my cooking techniques in a clear and detailed fashion. I'm trying to become a better competition cook and Bill's book just gave me a big head start. This is a serious book for serious cooks who are trying to learn better techniques. If you're looking for pretty recipes, look elsewhere.