HOUSTON -- Along Highway 290 in Brenham sits the indisputable proof that everything's bigger in Texas.
"It's the world's largest barbecue pit," says Kim Folsom, proudly describing the giant smoker in her front yard.
Weighing 40 tons, stretching 75 feet in length, ventilated by seven smokestacks, it's the "Undisputable Cuz," a barbecue pit so huge law enforcement authorities have required special permits and escorts just to move it down the road. Drivers passing through Washington County sometimes stop and take pictures of the black behemoth sitting alongside the road between Houston and Austin, perhaps drawn by the hand-painted sign proclaiming it the planet's biggest barbecue pit and offering it for sale.
The price: $350,000. That's without the low-mileage 18-speed Peterbilt that's hauled it around the highways that's on the market for $50,000.
Photos: World's largest BBQ pit
"It has 24 doors – 12 on this side, 12 on the other," said Terry Folsom, describing the features of his prized pit.
"These are your smokestacks," he said, pointing to the top of the pit. "These are your dampers that control it."
The "Undisputable Cu"' can cook four tons of meat at a time, roughly the amount of brisket served outside the Texas Capitol to all of the visitors attending the recent inauguration of the state's new governor. It's also equipped with a walk-in cooler that has space for kegs attached to beer taps on the outside.
The heat comes from a surprisingly small fire that burns just a couple of cords of wood. A tube carries the heat along the length of the entire rig.
Terry Folsom said he acquired the pit in a business deal with its original owner, who used to take it tour. Kim would just as soon get the thing out of her yard, so she's trying to sell it not only with a sign visible from the highway, but also with a posting on eBay.
"Some people tell me we ought to put it back on tour," Kim Folsom said. "But I'd rather just sell it and get it gone."
Her husband hopes some rich guy driving down the highway will see his wife's sign, stop on the road and write him a check.
"Get me a certified check and bring it on over here and give it to me they'll own it," he said with a laugh. "I'll take it right where they'll need it."
