Archive for March, 2012

8th Annual Backyard Challenge BBQ Cook-Off, June 2nd, Sign Up Now!!!

Wednesday, March 21st, 2012
  • When: Saturday, June 2nd
  • Where: At The Heath and Grill Shop
  • Entry Fee: $75.00
  • Gas and Charcoal Divisions
  • Chicken and Rib Categories
  • Dessert Category
  • Cook’s Meeting 8:00 am, Saturday Morning
  • Judging Begins at Noon
  • Sponsored by: Big Green Egg, Firemagic, Weber, Broilmaster, Music City Metals, Pepsi Bottling Group.
  • One Day Sale
  • Door Prizes
  • Over $7,000.00 in Cash and Prizes

Here is photo of last years Backyard Challenge BBQ Cook-Off. We set a record for teams participating and BBQ lovers coming out to enjoy the Fun!!!

The Hearth & Grill Shop is proudly hosting the 8th Annual Backyard Challenge BBQ Cook-Off!  We invite you to assemble your team and join in this year’s competition or just come by the Hearth and Grill store to what all the fun is about.

This year’s competition will be held on Saturday, June 2nd at The Hearth & Grill Shop.  26 teams participated in last year’s event and the number of teams competing will only get larger, so booth space will be at a premium.  Competition space will be first come – first served, so enter as soon as possible, to guarantee your spot for this years Challenge.

Teams will compete for over $6,000.00 in cash and prizes.  This year’s entry fee is flat rate of  $75.00, which covers both the Gas and Charcoal Divisions.  The entire entry fee goes directly to the Cash Prizes.  Once again, the format will consist of Gas and Charcoal Divisions.  Each Division has a Chicken and Rib Category.  Cash and prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishers in each of the four Categories.  The Grand Prize, a Large Big Green Egg, goes to the team that shows the best overall score in the Chicken and Rib Categories in BOTH the Gas and Charcoal Divisions.  The Dessert category will not affect the Grand Prize standings, however, there will be a cash prize and bragging rights for the winner of the Dessert category.

Not only do we host the Backyard Challenge, but their will also be cooking demonstrations, door prizes, free bottle water and sodas.  We will also have the Largest One Day Sale of the year.  Gas and Charcoal Grills, Gas Logs, Fireplaces will all have a special One Day Sale Price lower than the rest of the year.

With your participation, The 8th Annual Backyard Challenge will be bigger and better than ever.  Enter now and get your team together for the 8th Annual Backyard Challenge BBQ Cook-Off.

Thank you for your participation in advance.  For more information please contact me.

Jeff M. Lunsford
“Chef Jeff”
The Hearth & Grill Shop
(615) 255-4551
(615) 244-6947 fax
chefjeff@hearthandgrill.com

See below for official rules or click to download the 8th Annual Backyard Challenge Rules (PDF).
Click to download the official 8th Annual Backyard Challenge Entry Form (PDF).

The Smokers & Drinkers Team

Getting the temperature just right!

Blue Moon BBQ was last years Grand Champion

Backyard Challenge Official Rules

  1. Entry fee will be $75.00 to enter in either or both divisions: Charcoal or Gas
  2. Chicken and Pork Ribs (no country ribs). You must enter both the Gas and Charcoal divisions and have entries in both the Chicken and Rib categories to be eligible for Grand Championship.
  3. All meat must be inspected, in original store wrapper and in a cooler with ice, and must be held at 40 degrees.
  4. After meat is inspected, you may begin to marinate products. Meat inspection will start at 6:00pm Friday though 8:00am Saturday.
  5. No food products are to be sold or given to public from cook sites.
  6. A 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winner will be awarded in for both Divisions in each category.
  7. Turn in times: 12:00 Chicken; 1:00 pm – Ribs; 1:45 pm – Dessert. 2:30 –3:00 pm Awards.
  8. You will have five (5) minutes before and five (5) minutes after the hour to turn in your entries to judges.
  9. Containers for judging turn-in will be provided. You must turn in at least 6 samples. Example: 6 ribs; 6 chicken thighs, etc.
  10. Entries will be judged on appearance, tenderness/ texture and taste in accordance with Kansas City BBQ Society rules.
  11. When you finish cooking, a container will be provided for your hot ashes, excess grease etc. please use this container to avoid fires and help keep your area clean.
  12. Your cooking area must be as clean as you found it. Garbage containers will be provided. Must have a gray water (SANITIZING SOLUTION) container and cleaning containers with a solution of water and bleach.
  13. Do not have any open fires on the ground. Use a charcoal starter (chimney or start the fire in your cooker). All grill fires must be contained.
  14. You will have a 10 x 10 cook site area designated for you. Those needing more space need to notify the Backyard Challenge Coordinator for possible consideration as available.
  15. PARKING – Each team will be allowed ONE (1) Team vehicle and ONE (1) Team parking space near the Competition Cooking Area. All others associated with the team are to park as advised by the competition staff.
  16. There is no parking allowed in the Competition Cooking Area, only unload and load.
  17. RV and overnight parking is limited. First come, First serve. Electricity is limited to the RV parking area.
  18. Access to electricity and electric extension cords will be available on a limited basis and may not be available to all areas of the competition. Those requiring an electric outlet need to notify the Backyard Challenge coordinator prior to the event for possible consideration, as available.
  19. You may cook with gas, wood, or charcoal.
  20. Water and ice will not be provided.
  21. A MANDATORY cooks meeting will be held Saturday, June 2nd at 8:00am to go over rules and questions.
  22. No pets, fireworks, or firearms are allowed on grounds.
  23. Failure to follow the above rules may cause your entry to be disqualified.
  24. Value of Awards will be in excess of $7,000 in cash, prizes, and products.
  25. Set up times will be Friday June 1st , 6-10pm & June 2nd , 6-8am. NO exceptions. Overnight security will be provided for the event and access to restrooms will be available.
  26. You must be 18 years of age to compete. 18 or younger, a parent or guardian must be present at all times.
  27. Hearth and Grill Shop, vendors, sponsors and any other participating entities shall not be held liable for any injury or loss.
  28. The decisions by the judges will be final.

Competition Tips: Don’t forget tables, chairs, awning, or other covering. Have plenty of water and ice on hand. If you are competing in the Dessert Category – Freezer space is extremely limited. Consider a Dessert that does not require Frozen Items, i.e. Ice cream. Do a checklist of what you will need. Containers will be provided for judging turn- in.
**Plan ahead to have fun**

Grand Champion Prize: ~ Large Big Green Egg*
*1st, 2nd, & 3rd place cash and prizes awarded in each category.

Sponsors: Big Green Egg, Firemagic, Pepsi Bottling Group, Broilmaster, Weber, and Music City Metals

*Rules and /or prize category awards subject to change in regards to sponsorships.

Location: Hearth and Grill Shop
535 Thompson Lane
Nashville, TN 37211
(615) 255 4551

Pig Nation preparing Ribs for Judging!

Chef Jeff awarding 1st Place Prizes

All the Judges love to eat BBQ! An important Requirement!

Smoking some Chickens in a Big Green Egg during the Hearth and Grill Backyard Challenge BBQ Cook-Off? Is there anything better?

1st Place Winner Team Man Waggon

Getting Ribs ready for Judging

Backyard Challenge BBQ Cook Off Teams waiting on Results!

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Vented Gas Logs, Features of Vented Gas Logs and Gas Log Sets

Thursday, March 8th, 2012

 

Real Fyre vented Gas Logs by Peterson have been warming homes, providing comfort, convenience and enjoyment for over 60 years.  The Hearth and Grill Shop has been carrying Real Fyre gas logs for the past 38 of those years.

Vented Gas Logs will provide a large, realistic looking gas log flame that is as close in appearance to a real wood fire without actually burning wood.  Obviously, one of the biggest advantages of Vented Gas Logs over wood burning is that Vented gas logs do not have to be carried in or ashes scooped and carried out.  Cutting, stacking, and seasoning wood is also eliminated.  Air pollutants are reduced and forest resources are preserved, making vented gas logs Eco-Friendly.  The ease in lighting and the appearance of Vented Gas Logs make them a wonderful alternative to burning wood.

Vented Gas Logs must be operated in either a masonry or prefabricated wood burning fireplace.  They must be used with the damper fully opened, just as if a wood fire was being burned.

There are several different types of controls for Vented Gas Logs.  The easiest is a manual gas floor valve on the outside of the fireplace and with a match or wand lighter the fire is lit manually.  This manual ignition may be prohibited in some areas (varies from county to county) and local codes may dictate that a safety pilot be required for Vented Gas Logs.  A safety pilot system on Vented gas logs may also be a good idea for families that have young children.  If the safety pilot is blown out or goes out for whatever reason there will not be any raw gas in the house.  There are also gas log remote controls for Vented gas that make lighting easy and safe.  Variable remote controls, which not only turn the unit on and off, but also move the flame up and down, are the most popular.  There are also, electronic pilot ignition units that do not have a standing pilot, but light only when the unit is turned on.

The dimensions of the fireplace and the type of controls will determine what size Vented gas logs would be best for any fireplace.  There are NO standard masonry fireplaces.  Every bricklayer or mason can make a fireplace any size they want.  The most important dimensions to measure are:  Across the back wall of the fireplace, across the front of the fireplace, the depth of the fire place and finally the height.  These dimensions with the controls and gas line factored in will ensure the perfect size logs for a fireplace.

The positive features of Vented Gas Logs are:

  • The most realistic looking flame pattern to imitate a real wood fire
  • The flame dances and engulfs logs like a real wood fire
  • The flame is more substantial and has the best ambiance
  • The ease of use over wood fires

The negative is that Vented gas logs burn a substantial amount of gas and they have to be operated with the fireplace damper fully open on the fireplace just like a real wood fire.  With the damper open, heat will be going up  the chimney, so Vented gas Logs are not an efficient heat source.  This may not be a negative, however.  Installing Vented Gas Logs in a fireplace where appearance and ambiance are more important than heat, such a formal den or dining room may be ideal for entertaining family and friends.

Real Fyre vented gas logs are available in more than 40 authentic styles and are handcrafted and hand painted to create the most realistic Vented log sets available.  Shop at The Hearth and Grill Shop to see the largest selection of Real Fyre Vented Gas Logs in the Southeast United States.

 

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Oversize Vent Free Gas Logs

Wednesday, March 7th, 2012

 

The Hearth and Grill keeps a large inventory of oversize and extra wide Vent Free Gas Logs in our inventory ready to ship.  Today’s Fireplaces are being built larger and larger.  Both Vented and Vent Free Fireplaces have become more of the center piece in the great room of new homes.  However, more and more people are interested in Vent Free Gas Logs due to the low cost energy savings that come from Vent Free Gas Logs compared to Vented Gas Logs.  This poses a conundrum.  Manufacturers are by law not allowed to produce any Vent Free product over 40,000 BTU’s per hour.  Therefore when you make a large set of Vent Free Gas Logs the flame looks small because it has to be so spread out.

Vantage Hearth products has combated this dilemma by creating the Magniflame series, which boast a triple burner to achieve the look of a real wood fire.  The burner on the Magniflame is also cantilevered to produce tall flames that will not be dwarfed by its massive 19″ high refractory cement logs.

Indoor Vent Free models feature two burners of bright yellow flames, plus the lower burner for the glowing ember bed.  Outdoor models feature two burners of bright yellow flames stainless steel chassis and grate.  The Magniflame series are available in 24″, 36″ and 48″ gas log sizes.

The Hearth and Grill Shop after 38 years in business continues to provide the newest and highest quality products in the hearth and fireplace business.

 

Oversize Vent Free Gas Logs for the Fireplace

The Hearth and Grill Shop offers Oversize Vent Free Gas Logs

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