Watching old episodes of BBQ Pitmasters from 3 years ago feels so different now

I was rewatching the 2021 season last week, and the focus was all on huge, fast cooks with really heavy smoke... you know, the kind that wins in a hurry. Then I watched the finals from Kansas City last month, and the top three were all about super clean, light blue smoke and way more delicate flavors. It's like the whole idea of what makes a champion has shifted. Has anyone else noticed this change in what the judges seem to want now?

3 comments

3 Comments

white.seth2mo ago

So is it all about finesse over power now?

sethmartinez1mo ago

You ever watch someone try to fix a squeaky door hinge? They'll pour half a bottle of oil on it and slam it shut hoping it stops, but the real trick is just a little dab in the right spot and a gentle back and forth. Kinda like in games where you see a guy with this crazy strong swing but he's yanking it all over the place, whereas the quiet player just taps the ball into the corner and gets the point. I've got this buddy who tried to lift weights heavier than his whole body to get stronger in golf, but he ended up pulling something and couldn't play for two weeks. Sometimes less is more, you know, like how a tiny screwdriver beats a big hammer when you're fixing a watch.

vera5032mo ago

What about the mental game though? I've seen some players lose power trying to be too perfect.