chileheadmike

I was in a discussion, many years ago, regarding at what stage you should add briquettes. Some argued that you should wait until ashed over and white, others said, there's nothing on the outside that isn't on the inside so it doesn't matter. I can smell it, both on the initial fire-up and after it's been burning a while. When I judged, I could smell it when they opened the box. If the team used lighter fluid, that was worse. In my experience, lump burns hotter, briquettes burn longer and probably more evenly. I'd be curious to read what Norm has to say.

I've been barbecuing for a long time, both back yard and competition. I used to use Kingsford with some wood chunks. It does have a distinctive odor, and I can test it in the meat. I've gone to using lump. Usually Cowboy brand.

Probably the same reason the store bought jalapenos here taste like green bell peppers.

BLT

Thanks, using the two outside burners. The grill does not have a back burner. I gave my Weber kettle to a neighbor before we moved. We now have a screened in deck with a roof, and I didn't want live coals under it. I may get a Weber in the spring for off-deck usage.

It's been a very long time since I've cooked on a gas grill. Trying a rotisserie chicken for the 1st time. My usual dry rub with soaked hickory chips in a smoke box. Not bad, I may have overcooked it a little.

I was a kitchen manager for a Mexican restaurant. We cooked 25 pounds of beans almost every day. Sometimes 50. Never soaked them. When they were soft, we drained them and mashed them until smooth in the big Hobart mixer.

Hickory smoked country style ribs, potato wedges, and green beans from the farmers market.

We've been in Minnesota for about a month now. Seemed the right time to hit up the Woodbury farmer's market. Really, really close to our house. The trip to the ATM was longer. Anyway, the spoils Cantaloupe perfectly ripe and juicy. We got two. 6 bucks each. Watermelon, small round seedless watermelon that was every bit as good as the cantaloupe. I think this was 6 bucks as well. Big ole sack of green beans that I haven't cooked yet. They look really good, will pick them tonight and into the slow cooker tomorrow. $5 Big ole sack of Thai green chiles. They're hot. $5 5 ears of corn for 6 bucks, going on the grill tonight. These look really good. Now for the not so good. 5 bucks for 4 tomatoes, I swear they bought them from a grocery store. Red and beautiful, hard and flavorless. Not going back to that guy. My wife bought a loaf of cinnamon swirl bread for 9 dollars. Not very good. It's a pretty small farmer's market but I like it. Lots and lots of people there. The only prepared food was kettle corn. I'm not a fan, too sweet for me.

While I appreciated the tasting very much, I'm afraid most of it was lost on me. I'm not much of a bourbon guy. I certainly knew more after spending three hours there though. I did buy a bottle of the Eagle Rare before leaving. I enjoyed that a lot.

I dumb-lucked into a tasting at Buffalo Trace with their master chemist and lead PR person. Tasted for about an hour and then had a two hour "hard hat" tour of the plant with an old guy who worked there since he was a kid, his dad worked there pre-prohibition. Pretty great afternoon.

Reading this thread while eating a meatloaf sandwich. Sauteed onion and GBPs are always a part of my meatloaf.

Grocery stores in Kentucky only seemed to carry the quart sized Tubs O' Mayo.

I had never heard of Duke's until I moved to Kentucky. It's a big thing there. I tried it and like Hellman's better. Also, Duke's only seems to come in quart sized jars.

Nothing more fun than hanging out at an airport. Hope all goes more smoothly for the rest of the trip.