Had to choose between a snake handler and a fire extinguisher at my competition in Memphis last month

My propane line caught fire right before the turn-in window and I had to decide whether to chase off a black snake or grab the extinguisher - I picked the snake because it was closer and it worked, but my brisket got a little smoky on one side. Anyone else ever had a critter show up mid-cook and throw off your whole rhythm?

3 comments

3 Comments

jamesmason1mo ago

I mean, I gotta say, you probably made the wrong call there. Not trying to be a jerk, but a snake is way less of a fire hazard than a live propane flame licking up the side of your cooker. Snakes usually just want to get away from you and the heat anyway, they're not gonna cause a blowout. That brisket getting smoky on one side is exactly why you grab the extinguisher first. Maybe it's just me, but I'd rather have a slightly off brisket than a grease fire that could take out the whole rig and maybe even part of the competition grounds. You got lucky this time, but that kind of gamble doesn't pay off every cook.

taylor9291mo agoMost Upvoted

Did he even look for a snake before lighting it up, or just assume it would move on its own?

william9171mo ago

Did you ever have a rattler coil up right next to your firebox while you're trying to get a temp stable?