Spirit Grill

Back to Traditional Grilling… Need help?

Editor — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 07:10:23 +0000

A long time ago, we switched to a gas grill – which later was replaced with a George Foreman Grill. I went full circle and got a Weber charcoal grill. The Taste is so much better!!! Anyways, I need some help… first, how do I control the heat. I like getting the grill very hot for good steaks but the flames go out of control. When I use spray water, I end up cooling the coals to much. Secondly, what are the vent for on a weber. I have one on the bottom one on the top.

cooking on the beach- south florida?

Editor — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 04:25:55 +0000

are you allowed to bring portable grills on any of the beaches in south florida? i know some places have grills but on memorial day they will be taken so is there any place i can spread a towel and grill hot dogs?

How can I grill better steaks / Is a cast iron skillet better then a grill?

Editor — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 07:10:45 +0000

For the past 16 months I have lived in an apartment and was unable to own a grill. I love to cook and one of my favorite meals is a nice steak dinner. When I lost the ability to grill my steaks I had to find other means. After some research I chose to use a cast iron skillet. I went out and bought a top of the line pan after some practice I was cooking some amazing steak.

I went on cooking steaks in the pan for about 16 months and they always turned out tender, perfectly cooked, and flavorful. I just moved into a house about a month ago and one of my first purchases was a new grill. I wanted a gas grill that I could easily use several days a week and wouldn’t be a chore to use (vs a charcoal grill), I ended up with a fantastic lower/middle level Weber grill ($500).

I use the grill all the time and cook a wide variety of items on it. The trouble is that I can’t get steaks right. I know my preparation and seasoning of the steak is on par, and the steaks come out medium rare as I like. The steaks taste delicious but aren’t tender at all. I cook them on a screaming hot grill over direct heat and only flip them once.

What can I do different on the grill to make them tender? When I was reasearching the cast iron skill cooking method I read that people fell in love with it and stopped grilling steaks. Could this possibly be right or am I doing some wrong?

camping at hammonasset?

Editor — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 18:23:08 +0000

I’ve never camped before – I have a tent, portable grill and equipment and I’ve beed to this park a bunch of times , but is there anything really important I should know? I’m staying overt night with my two boys to see how they like it.
Thanks

Possible slang meaning in Swedish?

Editor — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 08:24:41 +0000

In English, the Swedish phrase “portabel Grill” literally means portable grill, to my limited knowledge. What I am wondering is, does it have any other, perhaps slang, significance in it’s mother tongue?
I heard it in a song, and from my understanding, with the overall topic of the song, it makes no sense for the phrase to be in there, so that’s why I thought it had some other meaning.

What is the difference in these Weber Grills?

Editor — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 07:06:29 +0000

I am looking to get my husband either the Weber 10020 Smokey Joe Silver or the Weber 40020 Smokey Joe Gold. Both are charcoal. Is there a difference in the two? Any help is appreciated!

I’m having a May promotion in a casino and I need a clever name for it. 3 hoppers 3 great prizes?

Editor — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 22:32:31 +0000

One prize is an outdoor package cherry blossom tree, grill, hammock and patio set $1000 total.
2nd prize is $1000 cash.
3rd prize is electronics package; digital camera, photo printer, portable dvd player and panasonic camcorder. $1500 total pack.

I have a small weber smokey joe grill…there are top air vents that I can open or close up.?

Editor — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 07:04:31 +0000

I have a small weber smokey joe grill…there are top air vents that I can open or close up.

Heres a picture of it>

http://www.amazon.com/Weber-10020-Smokey-Silver-Charcoal/dp/B00004RALL/ref=pd_sbs_ol_1

I know you’re suppose to close the vents on the lid when you’re done cooking so that the coals go out to be used for next time…my question is…okay so obviously you leave the lid vents open while cooking…do you leave the vents COMPLETELY open? Do you only have them cracked open? How do you know how much of the vents to keep open?

fisher & paykel cinnamon that doesnt have a bake just a grill?

Editor — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 13:13:13 +0000

i have a fisher & paykel cinnamon and for some reason it doesnt have a bake on it…. and didnt realise untill it was to late…. i love to bake and havent for a long time… i was wondering weather i can still bake using the grill….. the oven is only almost 2yrs old, i mean what oven doesn come with a bake and you would think fisher & paykel would….. might have to get a portable baker that sits on the counter bench…..

What foods to serve at a Labor Day Cookout?

Editor — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 07:14:44 +0000

Ok, I recently purchased a home and my block has a block party for Labor Day. I alo purchased a grill but I have NEVER grilled a day in my life!!! HELP!!! What should I girll besides the basic, hot dogs, hamburgers and chicken. Also, is grilling that difficult, I purchased a charcoal grill, a Weber very nice.

Coming up

16.4 ounce propane tank?

Editor — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 02:27:36 +0000

Does anyone have an approximate guess on how long a 16.4 ounce tank of propane will last on a portable table-top grill?

We are planning on 90 minutes of cooking at a medium heat.

Any help at all is GREATLY appreciated.

How do I build a fire pit?

Editor — Mon, 31 May 2010 20:40:58 +0000

I asked this quesiton before and got one pretty good answer. I just wanted to post in another category to see if anyone else has other input.

I live out in the country and would like to build a fire pit (like an outdoor fireplace) in the back yard that I would end up being able to grill/bbq on. Do I need to dig a little bit down in the ground first or do I just clear an area where I’m going to put it and start building?

Any important things I should know before building it?

What is best to use to fuel it once it’s built? Charcoal, kindling? Does it matter?

What sort of barbecue should I buy?

Editor — Sun, 30 May 2010 16:30:00 +0000

Im looking to buy an outdoor barbecue for my garden. I dont want a huge one, but Ill be using it maybe once or twice a week so it should be fairly robust.

What else should I look for in a barbecue?

Also do gas barbecues give a different taste to charcoal? I like charcoal barbecues, but if they’re very similar taste, I think gas would be more convenient. I dont want a gas one if it just tastes the same as if its been grilled in a kitchen oven though

Portable dehumidifier not reducing moisture?

Editor — Sun, 30 May 2010 16:29:59 +0000

A portable humidifier that has worked well for about 5 years is failing.

The fan engages and runs at both speeds. The filter is clean. The digital displays are working, and appear correct.

However, the air exhausted is only cool (not cold like I expected), and the drain line is dry after a couple hours of operation.

When I removed the back cover, the black canister (condenser?) is very warm to the touch, although there are no scorch or burn marks. All the wires appear to be intact, with no frays or kinks.

The copper line from the black canister to the ‘grill’ in the front are cool, but not cold.

Thoughts? Would a freon leak be visible? Are there retailers who can recharge the freon (or just A/C repairmen?)?

It is a Maytag, manufactured by Fedders. I can’t find a manual online to troubleshoot.

Natural Wood Charcoal….grillers please help!?

Editor — Sun, 30 May 2010 07:18:42 +0000

Hi All,
I’m just starting to cook on my little weber grill with charcoal, since the food tastes so good with it…The first few times I used your basic kingsford charcoal, but I hear its toxic…SO
How do you use those natural wood charcoal products? I have been trying all afternoon, and cannot seem to keep the natural wood/charcoal lit…(No the directions did not help…The directions are to light til they burn orange…)

grilling outdoors for the first time?

Editor — Sat, 29 May 2010 12:29:15 +0000

our landord is getting our kitchen redone (one that i share with 3 other people) and today the entire appliances such as the stove and oven were wripped out, as well as a sink and our cabinets. Here are the options of ways we could still make food:

we have a really ancient, ugly and overgrown mini ‘brick bbq’s in our back yard that looks similar to this picture but ours is not nearly as big or nice as this:http://www.brookstonemasonry.com/outdoor%20grills/Outdoor%20grill.jpg

I have no choice but to use this but how?. please, i beg you, do not make fun of me or call me a dumb you-know-what for asking this ‘idiotic’ question but i honestly do not know how to use it, i was raised in a vegetarian family so we never grilled or used anything like this before. I am very lost but my roommate and I are desperate. how do we get this thing to work?. I assume it needs charcoal and lighter fluid but what else?. Even if i pulled out the majority of the weeds and did some serious cutting of the growth, do you think it would be still safe to use?. Judging by the overgrown plants in and around it, I am guessing this has not been used in 5-8 years. We are kind of broke so getting take-out every night is not a option. one of my roomies has a microwave but id prefer not to use it if i don’t have to. We also have a tiny mini charcoal grill that might be better to use. I could borrow my neighbors george foreman grill?, any ideas?

What can I do to spice up my hamburgers?

Editor — Sat, 29 May 2010 06:28:39 +0000

I like to grilled frozen burgers (i kno, iam lazy LOL) and i always add black pepper and a tiny bit of salt (i add salt cuz the grilled i use (portable) removes ALL of the fat of the burger), to season it and it taste SO good (so iam told). SO what can i use to make it taste more good?

On the bread, i use manaise, what can i use besides that?

What gas grill is the best buy?

Editor — Fri, 28 May 2010 08:24:49 +0000

I want to get a new gas grill this year. I use it seldom as I do most of my outdoor cooking on a “Char – Griller ” Charcoal and wood with the side smoker box. Once in a while we need a gas grill but do not need anything fancy or with side burners, Just a inexpensive plain Jane. What is the best buy for the bucks and where should I look. Home Depot, Lowe’s, Wal Mart, Sears or does anybody have a better idea? Is there any sales coming up that you are aware of ? Thank you.

Need suggestions for lots of tailgating food for cheap?

Editor — Fri, 28 May 2010 07:18:45 +0000

I am hosting a large White Sox tail gating party, with about 20 people. I need ideas of what to cook/bring for food, that will keep about 16 hungry men and 4 women happy. Something that wont break my bank account. I will have a gas grill there and also a large weber charcoal grill. I am trying to avoid the staple foods like hot dogs, burgers, chicken, brats, polish sausage etc.

Thanks!

Why my sirloin ain’t tender?

Editor — Thu, 27 May 2010 20:44:29 +0000

Hi, I bought 1.25lb of sirloin beef steak for 4.99 is that cheap meat? So I marinated it with garlic, a1 sauce, half a table sppoon of olive oil, lemon. I then grilled it on a portable grill for 10mins( similiar to george foreman grill). It came out very chewy with a little pinkness in the middle. It tasted it ok, but it wasn’t juicy at all. Should I put in more olive oil to make it tender or do yall think I should use another technique? thanks for any replies
Also, I want to know is it worth it to add a lot of alive oil to make it tender but not risking a steak thats dripping with oil. Also my mama told me to beat it with a hammer to make it tender. I didn’t do it because shes asian and she doesn’t know how to make any american food so i didn’t trust her. Anybody have any insights into beating their meat to make it tender? Hmmm i know that sounded really peverted but have to ask it anyway.
sorry, i meant olive oil not alive oil hehe….

Coming up

Gormet Gas Grill reviews – Where are they?? Cons. Rpts. don’t do reviews.?

Editor — Thu, 27 May 2010 04:38:31 +0000

I’ve been on charcoal now for over 10 yrs. not & I want something different. I’m looking for a gas grill w/ island & need help. I’m looking for the quality grills, NOT SOLD by places like sears, lowes, home depot, etc. Does anyone have sites I can visit which would recommend the “best” grill for the money? I’ve looked at OCS, CAPITAL, OUTDOOR KITCHEN CONCEPTS(nice), & VIKING. All above $2k. I DON’T WANT TO BE SENT TO A LOWES site or related that reviews how to find a grill, I’m looking at quality brands (not Weber, brinkham, etc.)

Can anyone tell me what’s fun about camping?

Editor — Wed, 26 May 2010 10:24:28 +0000

We are going camping in 3 weeks and I’m not looking forward to it. I don’t really get the joy of camping. I’m all for hiking and being outdoors, but sleeping in a tent is not really my thing. It seems like such a hassle to pack all your stuff and plan what food you can cook outdoors on the portable grill and packing eating utensils, dishes etc…. To me camping feels like your pretending to be homeless for a few days. How is being homeless fun?

Can I use charcoal in a propane grill?

Editor — Wed, 26 May 2010 07:05:22 +0000

I imagine I’ll get some “Why?”s. I was given a propane grill with an empty tank, and I haven’t filled it. I’ll be grilling for more people than my Weber can handle. What will happen if I light up some charcoal in there? It’s a Ducane, for what it’s worth.

Anyone ever built or re-built a brick outdoor Barbecue? I need an insert.?

Editor — Wed, 26 May 2010 00:24:08 +0000

I moved in where there is a nice brick grill pit in the back yard, it “had” a gas insert on one side (a rectangular hole with the grill dropped in)and gas burners on the other side, with a dutch oven underneath. The grill part that is inserted was obviously a purchased part and is now totally shot. If I replaced it, even just with grates for wood or charcoal, I could use the pit. I dont’ know how to find an insert. I’ve searched online and can’t seem to find the right things. I keep finding everything BUT what I need. Anyone built one of these before and know how to search the parts? Maybe I don’t search with the right terminology?

What are some critical things I need when I go camping?

Editor — Tue, 25 May 2010 00:33:40 +0000

Me and my family are going to go camping during the Thanksgiving break. It’s pretty much our first real time camping and we’re a little lost on what we need!

This is our list so far:
- 2 sleeping bags (15-20 degrees F)
- 3 airbag mattress…things
- a tent
- a grill
- 3 portable chairs
- a pan set
- condiment set
- head lamps
- food
- water

I feel like something’s missing.

Is There a Substitute For an Outdoor Grilled Flavor?

Editor — Mon, 24 May 2010 20:36:12 +0000

This may seem like a stupid question but I just had to ask.I went to a Japanese take out last nite and had ordered Brocolli Beef. It was an open kitchen and I watched the cook put my beef into a stir fry pan and cook it. It tasted just like it had been taken off of the BBQ as if it had been “fired” and had a hint of charcoal flavor. It wasn’t blackened seasoning either. Does anyone know of an ingredient used to make food taste like that? It was a little different for Japanese style but it was delicious!

How do you cook bbq ribs on a kettle charcoal grill?

Editor — Mon, 24 May 2010 07:33:57 +0000

i have a weber.

gas, charcoal or electric barbeque?

Editor — Sun, 23 May 2010 16:28:58 +0000

Im in the market for a barbeque, gas, charcoal or electric, what are my pros and cons, which produces the best tasting, etc. I am a novice but what to very much get into outdoor grilling. All suggestions are helpful. Thanks.

Outdoor griddle/mongolian grill?

Editor — Sun, 23 May 2010 14:45:58 +0000

I was at a wine festival recently that had a demonstration cooking stage. One of the pieces of equipment was a large, propane powered, portable griddle. It was flat and round, similar to what you might see in a Mongolian Grill type restaurant.

I have been searching online to try to find something similar, but have had no luck. I have found Mongolian Grills that cost thousands of dollars, but nothing simple and portable like I saw. Anybody have any idea what I am talking about? Do you know what it is called or where I might find one?

Getting ready for Memorial Day and I have some questions regarding grilling as a newbie.?

Editor — Sat, 22 May 2010 13:26:33 +0000

I have never used an outdoor grill before and am gearing up for my first try for Memorial Day. However, I have some questions. I will be using a standard height basic charcoal grill on a wooden deck. Is this okay to do? I have heard wood and fire do not mix. The grill does not have the circular tray connected onto the bottom. Also how far does it need to be away from my house? It cannot be centered or to the right hand side fartherest from the house because there is a cable line approx. 8 ft in the air above the deck. I really would like to grill and just want to make sure it is safe.