BBQ 101: Summer Is Neigh!

[Imran Siddiqui]

And what is the largest ethnic background of Americans? If you said German, you'd be correct .

[Dis]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
And what is the largest ethnic background of Americans? If you said German, you'd be correct .

yes, I'm one of them. but that won't last long... They certainly aren't the largest ethnic background in my state.

But I guess I don't embrace my hertiage. . I've had hotdogs, but not bratwurst. I'll have to try one. Is there anything special I should know about them?

[Geronimo]

Originally posted by Dis


yes, I'm one of them. but that won't last long... They certainly aren't the largest ethnic background in my state.

But I guess I don't embrace my hertiage. . I've had hotdogs, but not bratwurst. I'll have to try one. Is there anything special I should know about them?

yeah, if you put ketchup on your hotdogs make sure to try the brats with just mustard before getting in the habit of topping them as you top your hotdogs.

[Japher]

Bratwurst is my favorite sausage to cook on the grill. Around here the have Metts as well, or Mettwurst which is pretty much smoked Brats. That's the nice thing about Cincinnati; lots of Germans.

BBQ Info. of the Day:

I have had many grills in my day, and I have to admit I am a big fan of wood or charcoal. I have had gas, and admit that sacrificing the real smoke flavor for speed and conveinence has been worth it in the past, my life has slown down enough that I prefer the coal. If you use gas be sure to keep your rocks in order to prevent flair up. I prefer lava rocks layered 1 or 2 thick as the heat distribution is much better than the fake briquets.

As for charcoal, the natural stuff is nice but expensive, and wood is the tastiest if you have all day to get your coals started. However, for us standard backyard grillers who don't have all day, charcoal is best. I never go for those with built in flavor chips as they can over power the meat. Also, bypass the matchlight as the lighterfluid smell and taste never cooks out of them until they are almost gone. Go with the standard run of the mill charcoal.

If you want to smoke get the chips, and soak about 1 cup per 30 minutes of cook time you are going to need. Pat the chips dry with a towel and throw them ontop of the hot coals when you want the smoke.

Lighting a charcoal BBQ is easy. Now, a lot of ppl use a chimmney which is fine if the wind isn't blowing into your house (or your neighbors). The chimmney gets the coals lit fast, but creates a lot of smoke doing so. I use lighter fluid. A lot of ppl say that lighter fluid ruins the taste of the meat; they obviously aren't doing something right, as the fluid cooks off fast.

I generally on prep coals on one side of the grill. I arragne them in a somewhat pyramid like pile allowing enough room between the coals to allow for the passage of air. I give 'em a good dousing with lighter fluid and wait 30-40 seconds before taking flame to them. I then return the grill surface and cover partially with all vents open and wait about 30-45 minutes before cooking.

[Arrian]

Sweet Italian Sausage Not that I have that much anymore (the wife hates sausages - SHUSH YOU - and they aren't exactly healthy).

Steak Mmm, cow. Marinated w/either BBQ sauce or worchestershire.

Burgers (lean ground beef + egg + chopped onion & pepper + worchestershire + bread crumbs). W/cheese, of course. Cheddar or Pepper Jack.

Chicken - either grilled for eatin' on a bun like a burger, or better yet as part of my kebobs (I do both steak and chicken).

Hot Dogs

I have a normal webber charcoal grill.

-Arrian

[pchang]

I have two

A classic Weber Kettle and a new fangled Gas Grill

[Japher]

I gave my gas away two years ago after spending 2 days referbishing it after 1 year of use; new burners, new grills, new lighter, etc. I decided it wasn't worth it. Went and bought a Weber Kettle grill and haven't done a thing to the grill since.

[pchang]

Gas

has been reliable for me so far. Also, by letting it get dirty, it gets me almost as much carbon smoke and smoke flavor as the kettle.

[Kassiopeia]

Originally posted by civman2000
@ thread title

QFT. So Japher, what exactly ARE you grilling?

[Japher]

Tongan's