D
Darcy
Guest
I am a new member who recently joined the other day.
I live in extreme SW Michigan very near the Indiana border.
Since childhood I have favored the smell and taste of charcoal grilled food. In fact, until maybe the late '70s or '80s I don't recall my parents grilling with anything but charcoal and one of their old grills is still in my back yard minus the gas parts. Years after moving to the Midwest and into my home I purchased an expensive and fancy, at least to me, gas grill with a rotisserie and all the toys. People tried to tell me there was no taste difference between propane gas and charcoal and that I could use a smoker box with it to enhance a smoky, charcoal-like flavor. Since I was dissatisfied with the results and missed the true charcoal cooked flavor in my grilled foods I then bought a (Brinkman?) BBQ Grillware charcoal grill. It sits conveniently on the steps to the side door of my house.
There is a very large, tall, and beautiful maple tree in my front yard. I think it could be 100 years old. When high winds from storms would sometimes cause branches to fall to the ground I used to sort of fret a little bit over what to do with those fallen bits. It was then that in the spirit of "What do you do when life gives you lemons....Make lemonade!" :thumb::-D :idea:that I began doing and exploring live wood-fired cooking. Sometimes what appears to be a problem can really be a solution, opportunity, and resource. I now have myself a nice little assortment of different wood chunks and shavings that I soak or use dry when cooking outdoors. At home here I have maple, grapevine, and mulberry. One of my neighbors said that he likes the smell of the wood burning and smoking when I'm cooking outdoors. I think it's interesting and fun to experiment with the various combinations of fuels.
Compared to what some of you sound like, I am merely a home BBQ enthusiast. Yet, at least my cooking is good enough that I'm not starving. :laugh:
I am also active in historical re-creation activities. I belong to a world-wide organization which focuses on pre-17th century history. People cook with live fire at our camping events.
Where does everyone live? Are there any other members from SW Michigan, NW Indiana, and toward/in/around the Chicago, Illinois area? Do you all have events and local gatherings sometimes?
What are your favorite items to grill/smoke?
I look forward to learning more and interacting with all of you.
Thanks.
Darcy
I live in extreme SW Michigan very near the Indiana border.
Since childhood I have favored the smell and taste of charcoal grilled food. In fact, until maybe the late '70s or '80s I don't recall my parents grilling with anything but charcoal and one of their old grills is still in my back yard minus the gas parts. Years after moving to the Midwest and into my home I purchased an expensive and fancy, at least to me, gas grill with a rotisserie and all the toys. People tried to tell me there was no taste difference between propane gas and charcoal and that I could use a smoker box with it to enhance a smoky, charcoal-like flavor. Since I was dissatisfied with the results and missed the true charcoal cooked flavor in my grilled foods I then bought a (Brinkman?) BBQ Grillware charcoal grill. It sits conveniently on the steps to the side door of my house.
There is a very large, tall, and beautiful maple tree in my front yard. I think it could be 100 years old. When high winds from storms would sometimes cause branches to fall to the ground I used to sort of fret a little bit over what to do with those fallen bits. It was then that in the spirit of "What do you do when life gives you lemons....Make lemonade!" :thumb::-D :idea:that I began doing and exploring live wood-fired cooking. Sometimes what appears to be a problem can really be a solution, opportunity, and resource. I now have myself a nice little assortment of different wood chunks and shavings that I soak or use dry when cooking outdoors. At home here I have maple, grapevine, and mulberry. One of my neighbors said that he likes the smell of the wood burning and smoking when I'm cooking outdoors. I think it's interesting and fun to experiment with the various combinations of fuels.
Compared to what some of you sound like, I am merely a home BBQ enthusiast. Yet, at least my cooking is good enough that I'm not starving. :laugh:
I am also active in historical re-creation activities. I belong to a world-wide organization which focuses on pre-17th century history. People cook with live fire at our camping events.
Where does everyone live? Are there any other members from SW Michigan, NW Indiana, and toward/in/around the Chicago, Illinois area? Do you all have events and local gatherings sometimes?
What are your favorite items to grill/smoke?
I look forward to learning more and interacting with all of you.
Thanks.
Darcy
