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Q-talk *ON TOPIC ONLY* QUALITY ON TOPIC discussion of Backyard BBQ, grilling, equipment and outdoor cookin' . ** Other cooking techniques are welcomed for when your cookin' in the kitchen. Post your hints, tips, tricks & techniques, success, failures, but stay on topic and watch for that hijacking. |
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11-17-2019, 01:15 PM | #1 |
Knows what a fatty is.
Join Date: 09-01-08
Location: St. Louis, Misery
Name/Nickname : terry
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New toy: Tuscan fireplace grill
I ordered a new toy, and it arrived in the mail this weekend: the Tuscan fireplace grill from Spitjack. Every time I build a fire in the fireplace, I think "man I wish I could cook over this". I never found a way to do it that a) wasn't potentially destructive to the fireplace, and b) didn't look like a cheap piece of garbage (see reviews of Rome's hearth grill on Amazon).
I took the risk with the Spitjack. It arrived virtually completely assembled. I think the packaging could be improved: the box was only taped down the center, and was bulging outwards when leaned upright (a potential escape route for the baggie of hardware inside). Also, the wood-grip handles had clearly taken a beating, as they were just floating around inside the box. According to the few photos of this out on the web, this used to be made of cast iron, but is now made of stainless. I was worried it might be flimsy, but this thing is solid. It has three rack levels, though I suspect the bottom level is too low to be useful in a fireplace. I also plan to only cook lean meats, otherwise grease may build up in the flue. Apologies for the sideways photos. IMG_0606.jpg IMG_0607.jpg IMG_0609.jpg IMG_0610.jpg The grate sits tilted back, so the juices run down the bars and drip into the tray. We'll have to see how well that works in practice. IMG_0611.jpg Three cast iron skillets, to simulate a dutch oven/etc. It didn't blink an eye with this load. I'm going to break it in tonight. More thoughts & photos to follow. |
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Thanks from: ---> |
11-17-2019, 07:04 PM | #2 |
is Blowin Smoke!
Join Date: 11-28-13
Location: North Granby, CT
Name/Nickname : Bill
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Looking forward to seeing how well it works!
__________________
Recteq 1070, XO 42” gas grill, Weber 36” Griddle, Blackstone pizza oven, Weber 26” kettle Gifted to various children — Kamado Joe Classic, 36” Blackstone Griddle, Weber Genesis, Rectec 680 |
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11-17-2019, 09:35 PM | #3 |
Knows what a fatty is.
Join Date: 09-01-08
Location: St. Louis, Misery
Name/Nickname : terry
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Alright, here's my first impressions. For it's maiden voyage, I planned one of my usual simple grilled dinners - roasted sweet potatoes, a half-head of cabbage, some zukes, and a big piece of meat.
Roasting sweet potatoes doesn't make much sense in a fireplace, since there is nowhere near as much radiant heat as in a closed grill (even after having a fire burning all day). I ended up putting a small dutch oven upside over them, to trap heat. This worked OK, but was kinda a PITA. The cabbage turned out OK, but was undercooked on top for similar reasons. Not the grills fault though. The zukes turned out great. The meat (a small ribeye roast, exactly what I said I shouldn't cook in the fireplace) turned out far more rare than I intended, but it was still within my threshold. This was just a fire management mistake. Flavor was great, with that wood smoke flavor you can't get from gas or charcoal. I think my initial run was too ambitious, but it was a learning experience. I think cooking direct & slowly is difficult - a fire that's cool enough to roast over is prone to go out, and also doesn't heat the room much. What I'll try next is to run the fire hot, and pick more appropriate foods. I will definitely be enjoying grilling in my living room this winter when it's no degrees outside. Strengths: * you can cook in your fireplace * wood flavor is great. Weaknesses: * you are probably going to make a mess in your fireplace. * the rack gets in the way of fire management a little. * kinda big - not sure where to store it yet. IMG_0614.jpg There's potatoes under that DO IMG_0615.jpg Time for the zukes. IMG_0616.jpg Then the meat. IMG_0617.jpg The tilted bars actually do draw drippings towards the tray. IMG_0620.jpg Off the grill. IMG_0624.jpg Plated. I think my steak flinched a little when I cut into it. |
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Thanks from: ---> |
11-18-2019, 04:41 AM | #4 |
somebody shut me the fark up.
Join Date: 02-13-12
Location: SE Florida
Name/Nickname : Marty
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Nice looking plate and thanks for the review.
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Marty UDS now gone, WSM 18", WSM 22" and pellet pooper in the garage for 18 months now. |
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11-18-2019, 05:57 AM | #5 |
is Blowin Smoke!
Join Date: 11-28-13
Location: North Granby, CT
Name/Nickname : Bill
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Thanks for sharing the review. Looks like it will be a fun toy to play with this winter.
__________________
Recteq 1070, XO 42” gas grill, Weber 36” Griddle, Blackstone pizza oven, Weber 26” kettle Gifted to various children — Kamado Joe Classic, 36” Blackstone Griddle, Weber Genesis, Rectec 680 |
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11-18-2019, 07:43 AM | #6 |
is Blowin Smoke!
Join Date: 03-21-19
Location: Johnsonville, SC
Name/Nickname : Joedy
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Nice toy! Do you think it would help any to put the potatoes inside the dutch oven and actually use it as an oven after you get some smoke on them?
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Isaiah 41:10-Chunky Dunks BBQ-Competition Team Propane Whole Hog Cooker Grill Master Gasser--(Deceased) Weber Kettle 22"(Hoyt) WSM 22.5"(Bertha) RecTeq 590(Fancy) Blackstone 17" griddle O.G. Barrel Charcoal Grill--(Chicken Graveyard) [COLOR="DarkOrange"][B]Clemson Orange Thermapen Mk4[/B][/COLOR] |
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11-18-2019, 08:40 AM | #7 |
is One Chatty Farker
Join Date: 09-07-15
Location: NJ, exit 9
Name/Nickname : Fred
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Very nice review. I have always wondered about the grease part of it with the chimney and all. I would like to give one of these a try for sure!!
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11-18-2019, 12:25 PM | #8 |
Babbling Farker
Join Date: 10-28-14
Location: Mizzory
Name/Nickname : Jeremy
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Thank you for sharing! That is a cool little gadget! It sounds like you will get some good grilling out of it and some good dutch oven cooking!
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9 out of 10 cannibals agree...vegetarians taste better! |
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11-18-2019, 12:44 PM | #9 |
is One Chatty Farker
Join Date: 05-31-13
Location: East Texas, USA
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Nice! That looks like fun for a cold night.
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Shirley 24x42, Evie Mae patio, a 'herd' of WSM's, 26" Weber Kettle, ... |
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11-18-2019, 01:51 PM | #10 |
somebody shut me the fark up.
Join Date: 11-17-12
Location: South East Victoria Australia
Name/Nickname : Titch :-)
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Love it,
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Some people are like a Slinky-not really good for anything, but still , you can't help smiling when you shove them down the stairs.:becky: |
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11-18-2019, 02:05 PM | #11 |
is one Smokin' Farker
Join Date: 04-06-19
Location: Saugus, California
Name/Nickname : Sonny
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You realize you are going to drive your neighbors crazy all winter.
We put in a Jenn Aire range in our home in Riverton, Wyoming. Man, the smell of Steaks grilling at 40 below is just maddening! People trying to chew the door down.... My biggest concern would be gunking up your fireplace with drippings....
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SonnyE, Grillin, Chillin, Beer Swillin, Grandpa's Ribs a specialty. Farking good BBQ is a learned skill, low and slow. :becky: |
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11-18-2019, 02:07 PM | #12 |
somebody shut me the fark up.
Join Date: 03-14-16
Location: St David, Az.
Name/Nickname : Bill
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I like it...
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Bill, from Cochise County Arizona LSG 24 X 36 Horizonatal Offset w/warming oven, 32" fire pit with swinging cooking grate, PK 360 w/Grill Grates |
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11-19-2019, 02:01 PM | #13 |
is one Smokin' Farker
Join Date: 01-29-10
Location: Oklahoma
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Three words: Professional Chimney Sweep
These guys are well worth it in our opinion. They come out and ungunk the flue once or twice a year, and I continue to cook in our fireplace. |
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Thanks from:---> |
11-19-2019, 05:47 PM | #14 | |
is one Smokin' Farker
Join Date: 04-06-19
Location: Saugus, California
Name/Nickname : Sonny
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Quote:
You might want to have a meaty tip for them....
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SonnyE, Grillin, Chillin, Beer Swillin, Grandpa's Ribs a specialty. Farking good BBQ is a learned skill, low and slow. :becky: |
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Thanks from:---> |
11-19-2019, 08:27 PM | #15 |
Quintessential Chatty Farker
Join Date: 12-31-09
Location: Hernando,MS
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I think that would be a great toy as long as it was used in/on a fireplace that was designed for hearth cooking.
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