Review: BBQ STU’S “Steel City Blast Furnace” BBQ Sauce

Posted November 16, 2007 by Steve

Somewhere in Mckeesport, PA, larks Stu Wilson, the mastermind of BBQ Stu’s BBQ sauces. Their web-site states that they currently sell 2 sauces: “Original” and “Steel City Blast Furnace”. The web-site also states that “Rasberry Chipotle” and “Carolina Mustard” are coming soon. The label states that these other sauces are currently available, so I am a little confused. The label itself is average. What is important here (marketing 101) is that you should be able to look at the bottle without turning it and know what it is. This label does do that. I am not at all confused by the “taste and see” across the top. I’ll crack that code for you shortly.

Well, there are a gazillion barbecue sauces available, so how does BBQ Stu’s “Steel City Blast Furnace” stand up to the competition. Let me start by saying that this is much better than most commercially available bbq sauces. Before we get to the sauce, let me step out on a limb. I feel that the name itself, targets a Pittsburgh audience. The folks of old, remember the days that Steel flourished in Pittsburgh and Allegheny Airlines ruled the Western PA skies. Now let me explain the “taste and see” on the label.

Psalm 34:8 The purpose of Psalms in the bible was to provide poetry for the expression of praise, worship and confession to God. Psalm 34:8 states “taste and see” that the Lord is good. I have not spoken with the owners of this sauce, but I am sure this is the intent of the label.

Ingredients: Tomato Puree, (Water, Tomato Paste), High Fructose Corn Syrup, Vinegar, Molasses, Sugar, Pineapple Juice Concentrate, Salt, Modified Food starch, Natural Smoke Flavor, Garlic, Onion, Mustard Flour, Spices.
As much as I dislike breaking down all of the ingredients like Molasses (water, sugar), the label has to be consistent and it’s something that now has to be done.

Aroma: Very rich, sweet with a mild hint of smoke, pineapple and tomato. No signs of vinegar. You can sense a little heat in the aroma but no hot ingredients are listed.

Consistency: Stick to your ribs thick. Perfect and not over processed.

Heat: The name implies heat. The ingredient list does not. The web-site states that this sauce is not for the weak hearted or soft tongued. The web-site says the mystery heat comes from cayenne peppers. Folks, you just can’t have mysteries when it comes to FDA guidelines. Did I find heat? Yes, but not much. Cayenne hits me instantly and litterally drinking spoon fulls produced a slight and I mean slight burn. I’m not really into heat when I barbecue, so I have no complaints

Overall: I would recommend this bbq sauce over most large commercial sauces. It accented and helped my pork chops without overpowering the meat. There was no heat when it was diluted with the chops. Great flavor, great texture and all around a bbq sauce that I would buy if it was local. Their web-site sells 20 oz. bottles for $4.99 plus $3.00 shipping. If I were king for the day, I would re-work the ingredient list and check the shipping price. $3.00 to ship is extremely cheap and you certainly don’t want to lose money selling sauces.