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General Forestry => General Board => Topic started by: Chris Burchfield on June 13, 2010, 10:24:29 AM

Title: New Grill.
Post by: Chris Burchfield on June 13, 2010, 10:24:29 AM
Growing up I saw dad build his grills out of 35 and 55 gallon drums.  I didn't know what a store bought grill was till years later.  Most of his grillin' occurred on the weekends or when we went camping.  Sometimes through the week and during the summer when the day was longer and light outside.  Seldom when it rain, unless he just got caught in it.  Snow was not a deterrent.  Almost always when we had company of family or friends which ended with everyone having a good time.  Appetizers from BBQ'd oysters to hotdogs. Steak, chops, chicken and in Memphis, Pork!  Shoulders, butts ribs, chops and chicken.

When wife and I married, moved into an apartment.  Mom and dad gave us a store bought charcoal grill as a house warming gift.  It lasted several years as I replaced the rack and bottom with expanded metal and sheet metal.  At some point, I purchased a gas grill.  I liked what I though was a convenience of "instant fire."  Of course to put the proper grill marks on anything grilled, it has to come up to heat.  The original thought was to get away from the lighter fuel taste that sometimes occurred from my haste at getting the food cooked.  We've been married 32 years and I've bought several gas grills and rebuilt them to get the most out of them till the frame or box gave out.  The last was a stainless steel gas with stainless steel gas burner tubes.  Yea, they burn out too and you can get parts from various places.  I really thought the stainless would last a long time.  Well, it didn't and it was time again.  I said, "Self, that grill didn't last to long.  Though you keep an extra gas bottle for when the one your using goes out, it's getting expensive."  I went out on a search to see what was available.  First stop was at the big blue box.  There they had a ceramic pot style charcoal smoker/grill for $699.  I went to a high end fire place shop in Memphis because they carried "The Big Green Egg" similar to the first I looked at but at about $1200 - 1600, Whoa!  I checked W-mart, Sam's, Target, and the Orange box store.  Came home, got on the puter and started browsing.  I saw gas grills at the high end store from Viking for more than $5000.  Why would anyone spend that much on a grill?  Why do they want so much for the ceramic pots that work off charcoal?  Well, the ceramics were well insulated being made of fire clay like the brick in your fire place.  They promoted using less charcoal than you were use to with convection type cooking.

Then I came across  a Bubba Keg that the Orange box store use to carry.  Yea, it looks like a big beer keg stood on end. Online I saw they went for up to $799.  I remembered in my travel's the Orange box store had marked em down to $299.  Reading they were well insulated between two metal shells like your oven in your home.  I decided this was it. This is what I want.  There were none in Memphis, I could order one through Ace Hardware.  Order on Monday, maybe get it in on Friday.  Well, I called an orange store in Jackson Tn.  They had one, though damaged and not put together.  Mrs. B there said they were suppose have someone there to put it together at 10:a.m. Saturday.  I've put a lot of grills together for myself and others over the years.  I knew I could do this.  I couldn't get them to hold it for me so I purchased it over the phone.  I left at 20 till 5:p.m. Friday for the 160 mile round trip.  Tried to call wife and tell her what I was doing, but she was in with a patient.  I got there and found a slight dent and a green tag marking it down to $224.  After the refund and with tax I paid $248.14 plus $20 in diesel round trip.  As I was leaving Jackson a few minutes after 6 wife called on the cell and ask what I was doing.  I said "Leaving Jackson TN with my new grill."  She said " I know I didn't hear what you just said."  Yea, you did!  I got home and had it together before dark.

They suggest using lump charcoal and fire starter blocks not the liquid lighter.  Saturday afternoon I laid out two sirloins marinated and seasoned them.  Lit a fire and played with air in, smoke out adjustments while consuming some adult mixed drink(s.)  I didn't take but about 10 minutes for the lighter fame to go out and the grill was up to temperature. Was able to get the temp down to 250°F. which is great for slow cooking ribs and the like.  Opened top and bottom to produce 800°F. Time came and I had it around 550°F.  Threw the steaks on for about three minutes with the lid closed, turned each 45 degrees to fresh grill area, then flipped them and repeated.  How was it?  There is no evidence those steaks ever existed.  :D :D :D  It's been a long time since I spent a fair amount of coin and felt good about the expense  Not counting fuel I saved as much as $541 for the unit I purchased compared to the $'s I found on line.  The dent is nominal and the steak is gone.  From what I gathered online.  The Bubba Keg is going away and being replace with The Big Steel Keg.  Looks to be the same product.  At anytime during operating temperatures, I could place my hand on the outside of the grill without being burned.

Title: Re: New Grill.
Post by: DanG on June 13, 2010, 11:52:50 AM
In the words of Howie Mandel, "You made a great deal." :)

Now, on starting the charcoal;  I still use starter fluid, but only indirectly.  I take an old tuna can and put a little block of wood in it, soak it with starter fluid for a few minutes, then light it and place my charcoal chimney over it.  I think you'll see more difference between chunk and briquet charcoal than you will from your starting method, however.
Title: Re: New Grill.
Post by: Don_Papenburg on June 13, 2010, 08:41:09 PM
I like to use shavings from 2x material.    I use the hand plane toshave a big handfull of curls ,place them under the charcoal and light .  The kilndry SPF burns good , hot and starts fast.
Title: Re: New Grill.
Post by: fishpharmer on June 13, 2010, 09:23:51 PM
Everyone needs a functional grill and a fish cooker.   8)

Have you ever grilled marinated catfish fillet's?  It's good. :)

Title: Re: New Grill.
Post by: thecfarm on June 14, 2010, 05:23:39 AM
I converted an old gas grill into a charcoal grill.The insides rusted away and needed to be replaced.Wife like charcoal better and asked if we could use the gas grill. Drilled a few holes in it and put a place for the charcoal and have been using it for 3 years now. We also have a small store bought fireplace too.
I use one of those chimneys,I think it's called.Cost about $10,we found ours for 6 at some discount store. It has holes in the bottom for draft and you put 3-4 newspapers in the bottom and charcoal on the top. Light the newspaper and come back in 15 minutes and you are ready to pour the charcoal into the grill and cook. We bought 2 when company comes we will have enough to cook with.Wife does not like the lighter fuid either.
Title: Re: New Grill.
Post by: Chris Burchfield on June 14, 2010, 08:43:08 AM
fishpharmer, I was born in Mississippi and raised in Memphis.  I've grilled trout but not catfish.  I prefer my catfish fried.  I also like watermelon, whiskey and women.  Not necessarily in that order.  I cut up a pork loin yesterday, marinated it for the afternoon and put it on the grill.  I choked the airflow too much and the fire went out.  I finished them in the microwave.
Title: Re: New Grill.
Post by: WH_Conley on June 14, 2010, 10:33:41 AM
Quote from: Chris Burchfield on June 14, 2010, 08:43:08 AM
  I also like watermelon, whiskey and women.  Not necessarily in that order. 


Can't argue with a man who knows what he likes. :D :D
Title: Re: New Grill.
Post by: Raider Bill on June 14, 2010, 10:41:39 AM
Quote from: WH_Conley on June 14, 2010, 10:33:41 AM
Quote from: Chris Burchfield on June 14, 2010, 08:43:08 AM
  I also like watermelon, whiskey and women.  Not necessarily in that order. 


Can't argue with a man who knows what he likes. :D :D

smiley_beertoast
Title: Re: New Grill.
Post by: fishpharmer on June 14, 2010, 12:12:15 PM
We have similar "likes".  I like my catfish fried too.  That's why everyone needs a fish cooker.  But my doctor wants me to eat less fried food.  Just wanted to share that grilled catfsh is good too.  (make sure its US Farm Raised Catfish ;))

I looked at those cooker's online.  They are nice. Great deal you got too. 
Title: Re: New Grill.
Post by: gary on June 14, 2010, 06:44:57 PM
Is it ok to grill catfish that is not farm raised?
Title: Re: New Grill.
Post by: WDH on June 14, 2010, 08:15:56 PM
Quote from: Chris Burchfield on June 14, 2010, 08:43:08 AM
I also like watermelon, whiskey and women.  Not necessarily in that order. 

Chris, that ain't a bad order at all.  Reversing the order could be a bit more dangerous  :D :D :D.
Title: Re: New Grill.
Post by: fishpharmer on June 14, 2010, 08:19:24 PM
Quote from: gary on June 14, 2010, 06:44:57 PM
Is it ok to grill catfish that is not farm raised?

Only if it was born in the USA.   ;)
Title: Re: New Grill.
Post by: isawlogs on June 14, 2010, 08:31:57 PM
 
   fishpharmer,

You tellin'me I got to throw mine back  :o  ???
Title: Re: New Grill.
Post by: fishpharmer on June 14, 2010, 08:40:14 PM
Nossir, you grill your silure however you like.  But you should compare it to US farm raised sometime.

Chris Burchfield, I apologize for highjacking your post. 
Title: Re: New Grill.
Post by: isawlogs on June 14, 2010, 08:42:03 PM

Bring some to the piggy roast and I will be more then happy to help out in making it disapear  ;D :D
Title: Re: New Grill.
Post by: WDH on June 14, 2010, 08:43:57 PM
What?

The watermelon, the whisky, or the, well whatever  :) ::).
Title: Re: New Grill.
Post by: isawlogs on June 14, 2010, 08:50:15 PM
 :-X   :-*   :D
Title: Re: New Grill.
Post by: Chris Burchfield on June 15, 2010, 07:39:00 AM
I don't care what the original post is, on any given part of the Forum, seems it will inevitably end up talking about "food."  :D :D :D
Title: Re: New Grill.
Post by: SPIKER on June 15, 2010, 08:36:56 PM
Quote from: Chris Burchfield on June 15, 2010, 07:39:00 AM
I don't care what the original post is, on any given part of the Forum, seems it will inevitably end up talking about "food."  :D :D :D

Now thats the truth there!!  :D

My grills are as follows a 15 yr old gas grill that has hardly had 2 tanks of fuel through it (reason it lasted so long) with a new expanded steel top grill surface I made.   2nd grill is a old semi truck rim I welded up & mounted on a dual slip pipe, it is a large round grill top that I made up (like the other grill out of expanded sheet steel) and uses a lid from a Charboy type round grill.   I had to replace the 1/4" plate bottom last fall it burnt out from use.  I generally burn wood cherry maple or sometimes apple as my base heating for steaks the grill is stuffed full & fired using sticks & twigs to start and a weed burner the steaks tossed on when the wood is still flaming but well chard, Burgers chicken is left to burn down slightly more so the flames are nearly out or out and just charcoal burning.   (dangit now I' hungry even after the home made 2" thick pizza we made for dinner!)  I also have a 3rd grill it is 2' x 4' made using a S.S. frame and the same heavy expanded sheet steel. in between, the grill for it is used maybe one or two times a year for parties.  It can hold a LOT of food.   I've burnt most of my hand & arm hair nearly off using that one making steaks on hot fires...   I use the frame block foundation of this grill for making my Maple Syrup and pics of it can be seen in my post//pic gallery

As far as grilling fish, naw I like mine fried with some flour/corn breading on outside and covered in some lemon & tarter sauce...   I'm going Walleye fishing tomorrow gonna catch my limit then start catching yellow perch only bad thing is I'm the only one that cleans em  ::)   guess that means I'm gonna be one eating em too ;)

Mark
Title: Re: New Grill.
Post by: deutz4 on June 19, 2010, 11:35:10 PM
Filleting small Walleye for immediate frying or removing the y-bones from Northern Pike has to be some of the most enjoyable work of my life.