The History of Big Drum Smokers
Posted in Big Drum Smokers on March 14th, 2008 by RockyI first started experimenting with the first BDS prototypes in late 2000 and early 2001. After developing these simple BDS prototypes for a few months, I decided to build a dozen and sell them locally. From 2001 to 2003, many changes took place and the BDS model improved steadily. By the end of 2003, I was ready to start selling Big Drum Smokers nationally.
I was still making improvements along the way, always looking for something to make the BDS even better. I started talking about the Big Drum Smoker on my old BBQ Forum, as well as casually mentioning them to friends and aquaintances. I told many people about the BDS on other BBQ forums, BBQ mailing lists, chat and emails. Most people made fun of me and the BDS, never taking it seriously. But a few good friends and people with BBQ knowledge listened and told other people about the Big Drum Smoker. It was very slow for the first year, but things gradually started to pick up as more interest was developing.
In mid 2004, Steve Martin of the “Smoking Pilots” BBQ team ordered 2 of the early “old school” BDS models and started competing with them in national BBQ cookoffs. Steve won many awards with his BDS’s. Then he ordered two more BDS’s to add to his arsenal. Steve heard about the Big Drum Smoker from Bill Arnold of Blues Hog in early 2004 while chatting at some BBQ cookoff.
In July 2005, I decided to donate several Big Drum Smokers to the military troops over in Iraq, as well as several more to military hospitals, fire departments and VFW posts around the country. Local newspapers, radio and television stations covered this and brought some good publicity.
Danny Gaulden, a well-known BBQ master and restaurant owner, bought a new model BDS in 2005 and wrote a great review at the busy online “BBQ Forum”. Then, in early 2006, Danny also ordered a new jumbo model BDS that had just been introduced.
After reading Danny Gaulden’s detailed BDS review, Bill Milroy of the “Texas Rib Rangers” BBQ team ordered a BDS to compete with. They immediately started winning many awards around the country and ordered a 2nd BDS.
Steven Raichlen started using a BDS at his “Barbecue University” classes at the Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia. Then Steven tried out a new model BDS down in Miami, FL and loved it so much he did a big review in the August 2006 Men’s Journal Magazine. Things really started taking off after that.
Four more new models were introduced in late 2006, bringing the total lineup to 6 models.
In late 2006 or early 2007, some people started building BDS knockoffs and “clones” after hearing and seeing just how successful the Big Drum Smoker actually was. Many people started joining the BDS Forum under the pretense of being interested in buying a BDS. Then I would find those same people on other BBQ forums saying how they had tried to copy the BDS design. But, these people were always frustrated because I never provided enough detailed photographs of the inside of the BDS. They would even call me and email me asking really obvious questions like:
“How many intake vents are there?”
“How big are the intake vents?”
“Where are the exhaust vents located?”
“How do you make your charcoal ring and grate?”
“How far is the cooking rack from the charcoal grate?”
“How much clearance from the cooking rack to lid?”
“Where is the water pan?”
The few times I did answer these questions, I found those same people had gone right back to those other forums and told everybody what I had said. That was when I made the BDS forum “Private”. And then many of those same people started badmouthing me because the forum was no longer open to the general public. Hmmmmm, I wonder why???
Then a few of my BDS customers decided to make their own BDS technical information available to other people. This information included detailed closeup photos of the interior, measurements and building instructions. This was totally unexpected and completely out of my control. This also speaks alot for those people’s character, integrity, honesty, values, honor and just plain not knowing how to be stand-up people in general.
The Big Drum Smoker went on to grow steadily in popularity, both in the BBQ competition circuit, as well as with regular backyard BBQ’ers. By 2007, several other national magazines ran BDS articles and reviews. The North Carolina Barbecue Society ran an excellent review on the BDS in their June 2007 newsletter.
In 2008, the BDS returned to Steven Raichlen’s new Barbecue University class at the Broadmoor Resort in Colorado Springs, CO and was used in his new PBS BBQ show that will start airing this May. There are currently over three dozen professional BBQ teams using the Big Drum Smoker at competitions around the country. Teams like Jay Benedict’s “Otis and the Bird” from Mesa Arizona have won several Grand Championships using their BDS’s. People are also starting to use the BDS for catering and vending BBQ. There are currently BDS customers in 39 states, and the number is continuing to grow.
Ten more new models are being introduced in 2008, bringing the total lineup up to 18 models. From the Mini BDS model 1427 all the way up to the Mega BDS model 3143, there is quite a selection to choose from. There are also 7 stainless steel models available if you want the top of the line.
The BDS is the REAL DEAL!!
Rocky Richmond