Grilling

Ad: Orange-Ginger Chicken Marinade & Smoked Cornish Hen Recipe

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I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser. smoked-cornish-hen-recipe We have really been enjoying our grill since it has warmed up and summer is just arriving, so we have at least three more months of great grilling ahead of us. If you’re following our grillin’ and chillin’ series we’ve already given you some great tips and even grilling cookbooks to keep the grill fun going all summer long. Today, we get to show you how versatile grilling can be. Continue Reading →

How to Use a Charcoal Chimney for Grilling

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Charcoal Chimney Have you ever used a chimney to light your grill? This is something Buckaroo put me on to. I had grown up always seeing the grill started with charcoals doused in lighter fluid. After learning how to use one and what it was for, I will never go back. Our favorite is the The Weber brand is really just the gold standard in barbecuing and we will cosign on just about anything they make. Check out their book for some great grilling tips and ideas. I mentioned it and some other awesome grilling books in this post. weberchimney The purpose of this chimney is to eliminate the need for lighter fluid. Lighter fluid makes the charcoals or wood bitter, and it will come out in the smoke and food. You may not be able to tell in your food if you currently use lighter fluid, but if you switch to using the chimney you will be able to taste a difference. Using the chimney also saves you money by not having to purchase lighter fluid and it ensures you use the right amount of coals each time. Cool right!?

So here’s how to use it:

1. Stuff 2 or 3 sheets of newspaper into the bottom of the chimney. paper-in-chimney 2. Fill the chimney with your charcoal of choice. (We use .) Royal oak coals-on-top-chimney 3. With a match or stick lighter, light the newspaper. If you use a stick lighter you can also reach the holes along the side of the chimney to help your fire catch.
4. Set your chimney on a non-flammable surface like concrete or on the grates of your grill for 20-30 minutes. smokeout-chimney 5. The fire on the newspaper will catch onto the coals and they will be bright red. readyfire-chimney 6. Remove the grate from your grill and pour the coals in. hotcoals-chimney 7. Place the grill grate back and get cooking! full-grill-barbecue

**We have a smoke box on the side of our grill shown in this post. You can use the same method with any standard charcoal grill.**

If you try the chimney this summer come back and drop us a comment and let us know how you liked it.

The affiliate links in this post will add to our food truck fund. Thanks for your support!

M.W.A.H.,
Mandi

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Must Have Cookbooks for Summer Grilling

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Grilling season is here! May is National Barbecue Month. If you follow us on , you know just how excited we are about our new baby Roger, and how excited we are to get smokin’!
We create most of the recipes we share, but we just can’t deny a great cookbook. There are a few staples we keep in the Crate, but as the seasons change we like to switch the cookbooks out. We thought we would share a few cookbooks that would make for a great grilling season this spring and summer.
must-have-grilling-cookbooks
1. Weber’s New Real Grilling: The Ultimate Cookbook for every Backyard Griller

This book has something anyone from beginners to pit masters to can use to do some great grilling this summer. Whether you want to grill meat, vegetables, or even desserts this book has some great recipes and tips. It truly lives up to the standard of grilling excellence the Weber brand has become known for.

2. Carnivore by Michael Symon

Michael Symon is one of our favorite chefs. He’s not stuck on “frou-frou” he just likes good food. Simple and delicious, just like Chewsy Lovers! Get some great recipes for grilling chops, steaks, and ribs! This book isn’t just a grilling cookbook but its about meat…of all kinds game, pork, lamb, beef, you name it. It will help you tremendously though with the proteins you will be cooking and he even shares his “Cleveland BBQ Sauce.”

3. The New Vegetarian Grill by Andrea Chesman

Everyone who loves to grill doesn’t necessarily eat meat. This book has tons of delicious meatless recipes to satisfy that grilled food craving in a lighter, healthier way.

4. 101 Sangrias and Pitcher Drinks by Kim Haasarud

Because what’s a cookout without a yummy, cold beverage!? The title says it all, yet does it no justice. Punch, lemonades, sangrias, spritzers, drinks for every occasion. Liquor is optional, but included of course, if that’s your thing.

5. Sweet Celebrations by Katherine Berman and Sophie LaMontagne

This book by the DC Cupcakes girls is about more than cupcakes! We are getting ready for our Zoe’s 1st birthday party and the warmer months is when many people make up reasons to party! This book will help you with all of your summer shindigs from the sweets to the decor. There is even a chapter dedicated to outdoor parties.

What are you excited about grilling this summer?

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