The Southern tier of states have been in the BBQ temperature zone for about a month now, though many down south never stop firing their pit even in the dead of winter. For us here in the permafrost zone, the weather is just about to break, so now is the time get your gear ready for some top notch backyard cooking. And that can everything from shopping for a new grill to replacing the spatula you broke when you tried using it to scrape the ice off your windshield. (That long handle did look practical didn't it?)
For many the downturn means spending more time at home, so why not spend it around a smoking grill? You may need to spend a few bucks now to get your equipment up to shape, but it will pay back ten times when that first smoked pork butt or perfectly grilled fish lands on the table.
Here's some resources to find the fuel, and tools your looking for.
Charcoal and Wood
Run by grumpy Phil Mueller (actually a nice guy under there), Northwest Charcoal has been the underground source for Chef's and primal cooking enthusiasts for years. Call ahead for hours, prices etc.
Northwest Charcoal
2900 17th ave. S. Minneapolis
612-879-8044
For the Internet buyer. The web site is pretty impressive with fuel, tools, gadgets, grill etc. Check out the Smoke Pistol when click on.
Royalton, MN
320-584-5025
Wood or Charcoal Grills
Weber, in my book, is the grill of choice. I've been grilling, roasting, smoking and generally cooking up a storm on Weber grills for about 30 years now. And in that time, I'm only on my third grill. That's how good they are and how long they last. (Even if you abuse it like I do). They're available just about everywhere that sells grills, but a visit to the web site is a lot of fun anyway.
Palatine, Ill
(There are four Weber Grill restaurants around the Chicago area by the way. If your ever in the neighborhood and want to watch your food being cooked on a six foot diameter Weber grill, the foods not bad and it's worth the trip.)
I have a buddy who swears by his egg. I mean his Big Green Egg. This ceramic wonder broke into the market in the early 70's, but just a few years back started making a lot of noise on the retail scene and has become very popular with backyard Q'ers. I've cooked on it and do like it's flexibility. It can be a little pricey, but it will last a very long time and make some pretty tasty food. Based on an ancient oven design called a "kamado", it can and will cook anything you want from bread to seared ahi tuna.
Atlanta, GA.
Gas Grill
There is no other gas grill than a Viking. Sure you'll see all kinds of cooking apparatuses down at the big box retailers, but when talking about gas grills think Rolls Royce when you see Viking and Yugo when you see any other grill. The difference is really that great. Viking also makes other household appliances, ranges, refrigerator etc. They even make a ceramic Big Green Egg charcoal burning grill. But their gas grills are like cooking suites for outdoors. Even the smaller ones are a real pleasure to grill on. The only thing they have tough time doing is smoking, but with a little ingenuity even that can be mastered.
Greenwood, MS.
That's enough for now. You've got plenty to absorb here and I don't want you to tackle too much so early in the season. You need to stretch a little and get those grilling motions back.
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