Smoking Fee?

[txpgapro]

Got friends who wnat me to smoke their meat when I smoke next time. What would you charge? I'm thinking $2 per pre-cooked pound. No slicing, just smoking.

[Thom Emery]

How close a friends are they?
I do it for foil,freezer bags ect.
fer me Buds

[txpgapro]

Well they have abused this privledge on several occasions so the wife suggested that I start charging for my time and the rub.

[Thom Emery]

Yea at some point ya got ta ask for some expense coverage. One guy gives me the large HD foil 2 pack to smoke a couple of butts No problemo

[Fred]

All our local 'smokers' charge .60 a LB for custom cooking

[HFD26]

I'm with you Thom. I don't charge friends if I'm already smoking for myself. It's never more than one or two briskets, ribs, or butts. They pay for the meat. They usually give me a big jug of whiskey or something. I enjoy doing it for them. If I ever need anything I know they will come through for me.

[Txngent]

I have some neighbors that get me to smoke meat for them, when I fire up. They are not friends to the extent of freebies. I get my expenses together for all and that is what I charge them. My expenses include: rub and seasons, wood, foil pans, and a six pack (my wife thought that the total amount of beer would put the cost too high). I guess it averages about .50-.60 a pound.

[jgh1204]

When I smoke for friends, I buy the meat and just charge them the next $5 increment to cover expenses. Sometimes is not much other times it is a little more.

If it was for a friend of a friend, then it would be double the cost of the meat.

[Dirty Ron]

True friends, I don't charge anything - nor do I ask. I usually get beer, food or other things in return. If it is for "others", It really depends on what and how much they want done. For example, I'll charge more for a long process like pulled pork than throwing a dozen turkey legs on, etc. I sometimes annouce that I will be doing a big batch of stuff to get the cooker full - it's definately cheaper that way :roll:

[TB]

Hey thar Dirty Ron. Good to see ya. Don't be such a strangler. :lol:

[txpgapro]

Those asking for me to cook are not close friends, but have been at several neighborhood dinners that we attend. I gave them the $2 a pound quote and they declined. That's okay with me either way.

And welcome back Ron!

[1044]

Typical, huh? If it's free, I'll take two. If I gotta pay for it, well, nevermind. :roll:

[M38A1]

I've not yet done it for friends yet but had given it some thought should they ask. I figured if I had the capacity, then my friends could ride for free but they've got to prep the meat or pay for the seasonings. That's what friends do for one another.

For the non-friends, rather acquaintances, I'd not feel terribly bad for charging them some amount. Just don't know what but .50/lb up to $2.00 seems like what 'yall are between.

[FairWeatherSmoker]

I tell them to season as they like, wrap in plastic, marinate it overnight, unwrap & rubb if they are going to, wrap it back in plastic & bring it to me. I'll cook it & give it back wrapped in tin foil. $5.00 cleanup fee for the mess it makes.

[Zeeman]

Most times I barter my Q. They bring da meat and sometimes a peice or 2 extra for me. Comes in handy and always works out. Some of them fish, weld, tractor work, electic work, etc. It all comes out in the wash :wink:
In-laws, now dats a horse ofa different k :lol:
z

[Red Hanky BBQ]

Got friends who wnat me to smoke their meat when I smoke next time. What would you charge? I'm thinking $2 per pre-cooked pound. No slicing, just smoking.

Mike, what is the per pound price there. I'm tying to figure out the same thing for a potential client up here. Butts this morning at Costco were $1.55 lb. Don't know if I was making .45 lb if it wold be worth my time. Is there a general rule for charging a client for just smoking the meat? Maybe twice the lb cost? Any advice would be much appreciated.

[M38A1]

I got the impression Mike was going to charge them the $2/lb just to do it and THEY spring for the meat etc.

I'm not sure the meat smoking business is something I would want to get into. But at the same time, if I've got the capacity for more meat, why not try and fill it up. The only thing you have to worry about is the customer service aspect of what if it doesn't turn out like THEY thought.

That's why I'm in the same court as Z- Friends and family I'll just let it ride as I call that "Horse Trading" stuff for a future draft choice yet to be named.

[david brace]

Sounds to me if you're firing up the pit in the first place then the real friends can just join in and help. Any acquaintance can easily expect to pay a 'handling fee'. If you mention to them that any smoked meat bought at the store is always more expensive, I think that they should understand. i know that i would...it's YOUR pit, energy, know-how, supplies, and time...that is NOT without a price, even if it's a small one for providing all this that THEY could not provide in the first place.

DB

[Red Hanky BBQ]

I got the impression Mike was going to charge them the $2/lb just to do it and THEY spring for the meat etc.



Yeah, that make sense. I've got a request to do a small party, meat only for a friends mom. Normally I'd just do it for nothing or maybe a small fee for rub, charcoal ect. The problem is that they live about an hour and a half away so this all becomes a bit more then your average favor for a friend. She is offering to reimburse me for travel expense but my time is worth more than gas money. I'm sure we'll come to a satisfactory agreement.

[david brace]

Can you have your friend come to pick up the goods once they're cooked? It's his mother, so chances are he'll be going to the party.

DB

[Paul Taylor]

Mike I am glad that you brouygh this subject up. Because maybe I just might learn something here.Hope that everything works out well.

Paul Taylor

[Red Hanky BBQ]

Can you have your friend come to pick up the goods once they're cooked? It's his mother, so chances are he'll be going to the party.

DB

DB, that's what I'm suggeting to her. I'm actually going to try to precook and freeze having her reheat. This whole experience is forcing me to nail down my prices for regular customers and friends. Guess that's a good thing :D

[Big Mike]

I charge $32 for a butt. I will buy the butt and smoke it. No one has asked me to do this when I was also going to be cooking for myself, so this is if they are the only ones I am cooking for.


Mike

[Zeeman]

Sounds like Red Hanky BBQ is onto something.
z

[david brace]

So one question is whether the customer prefers to buy the meat or if they're willing to have you buy it and smoke it. If I was about to hire someone to do it, I'd rather them do the whole thing. Otherwise, it's like going into a diner with your own eggs and asking them to cook them for you.

DB

[Red Hanky BBQ]

DB, I think I would definitely prefer to buy the meat. We're supposed to be the "experts" and know what good meat should look like. If they are buying it and it ends up being a crummy cut they'll be looking at you wondering why their BBQ stinks :cry:

[TexLaw]

DB, I think I would definitely prefer to buy the meat. We're supposed to be the "experts" and know what good meat should look like. If they are buying it and it ends up being a crummy cut they'll be looking at you wondering why their BBQ stinks :cry:

That's always the problem with custom cooking.


TL

[Red Hanky BBQ]

Well she went for it. I'm just charging for the meat and expenses. It's about half the cost of the Local Q joints so I think we both made out well. I'll make a few bucks and she'll get a good product at a huge savings. Won't be doing this too often though. I will take forever to pay off the new Stumps at this rate :lol: :lol:

[david brace]

Good deal. you know the drill...pictures w/updates (or vice-versa)

DB

[texasbill]

All of you have great ideas and suggestions and we all like to cook for fun. But when someone ask if they can just being some meat and let me handle all of the seasoning and cooking then you add some more work to your fun. I think $5 per piece of meat sounds pretty good but maybe a bit low on the large pieces of meat and lets face it they can't go get what you guys cook at the local BBQ joint. So that is the very bottom of the price range.

I like the idea of getting the meat myself cause I have seen some real bad stuff brought by the house when I was cooking and then you will be the one that they tell you it was not as good as they thought. So get the meat. I think the best way to handle this is to set a fee for each piece of meat they want. Lets say $40 for a brisket, $15 bucks for a full slab of pork spares, $18 bucks for a full slab of baby backs, $30 bucks for a whole pork butt, and $8 bucks for a whole chicken. Those are just estimates and could be cut down a bit but these long cooking meats it is worth your time to get compensated for that. That is why they are asking you to do it for them cause they don't want to fool with it or have the equipment you have.

You have to remember all of your costs and get something for your time and energy. If you are catering a deal then the costs is alot different.


Bill Cannon

[1044]

Great advice, Bill. When folks ask me, I give them a price about 10% higher than the high priced shops in town. Of course, they are thinking I will charge 10¢, as they are "good friends".

If they say, "Oh, I wasn't expecting that much," I just remind them they said mine was the best in town. When I buy the best of something, I expect to pay top dollar.

I fought that battle years ago when I started photography. Ain't gonna fight it again.

[BIGJIM]

I hope I don't sound negative but....If you are cooking for an acqaintance, and the end result is not to their satisfaction, then what? Are you out the cost of the meat, rub, marinade etc. I would hate to think of someone being ungrateful but you know how folks can be..."I paid for it and I want it, my way". Just a thought, thanks Big Jim