Thursday, July 20, 2006

Grill Season!

Servus!

The weather has finally cleared up enough for me to start enjoying one of my favorite hobbies - grilling. some of you may find this to be more of a way to cook things but for me it is truly an engaging, encompassing hobby - a benifit of which is tasty grub when all is said and done.

For those of you who may want to know, I am a charcoal-griller. And when I say "charcoal" I mean it - no pressed wood-junk briquettes in my grill, only bits of wood that have gone through the charcoa-creationl process fire my grill. Call me a snob if you will - I don't care! ;) My grill - my rules!
Mind you, gas is very practical and efficient but I feel that it lacks a certian amount of artistry. If the correct procedures are followed, you can get consistent results every time. Which is exactly what I don't want! I like that fact that there is a variation between meals, even if I follow recipies and procedures to the letter - each time is an adventure.

My Equipment:
  • Weber 47cm "One Touch Gold"
  • Weber Charcoal Chimney Starter
  • Cuispino Pro 18" Tongs
  • El Cheapo Welding Gloves
  • Thuros Grate Cleaner
This is a good basic start - I want to evenually get a remote grill thermometer and a few other small items but this is enough to create some really good food. The best tip that I could give to anyone is to go out and get Steven Raichlen's series of books, starting with "How to Grill". Steven does a great "how to" without making you feel like an idiot and his recipies and techniques challenge you to think of grilling as something more than just a device to burn chicken with and to warm up tube steak and burgers of questionable content.