paul1927

Re: wood as fuel Many years ago I cooked with wood (like 7 out of 7 days; it was my plan it fact) and it was mouth watering. Destroyed the KK's damper top and Dennis sent me a new one!!! And, without me even asking. That was amazing. I don't dare cook with wood again, but if it was safe to do so, then yes I've got tons of wood that I'd love to put to use. Thanks again, Dennis. I think even with permission, I'd be afraid to cook with wood again since I want my KK in the best possible shape. Now wood as decoration on the KK---yes, I'd like to see that option offered to new and old customers.

That's Beautiful. It is wonderful to read you're doing well. I hope there aren't any new trade or currency policies in the wings that may be too challenging.

I was having a nice chat with a friend last night who a couple years ago bought a Q from Dennis (the friend is very happy with the purchase). The complaint centered around attempting to find a local retailer that sells the grill and that regardless of the store or number of grills offered there weren't any beautiful tiled ones. The friend wanted to know what is his problem? I explained that I didn't think there were any local retailers. Then the friend wanted to get into the selling Dennis' Qs: Not going to happen even if the opportunity was there because the friend has too much work already. The friend's idea, btw, was to sell the Q to upscale homebuilders because the grills that are currently being sold with the homes aren't nearly as nice as Dennis' Q even when they cost more. I had tried to get a tiny builder that I know interested, but even on a very expensive home he was cutting corners big time and often the savings didn't seem comparable to the loss of quality. A home he built was selling for close to a half million dollars and real wood for the kitchen is too expensive? Could be; I've lost track of prices. Dennis, my Q despite all the use appears to be in perfect condition.

From thermochromic tiles ( http://www.movingcolor.net/ ) to Lifetiles ( http://www.eyethinkinc.com/lifetiles/gallery.html ) to ??? I'm very happy with the tiles that came with my Q, but I see some of these interesting tiles on the web and immediately I start thinking about BBQing.

I made an incorrect assumption that because she didn't like being addicted to cigarettes that she wouldn't follow the same path with other drugs. That doesn't make much sense now that I think about it. Her change of personality was dramatic and although she had money problems in the past it wasn't anything serious. She just liked to spend more than she makes. Also, her money problems seemed explainable. You get a huge bill here and huge bill there and then lose some income and before you know it you have serious financial problems. She isn't mistreating her close female friend from what I could so she still has some control. I keep remembering the old her and the old her wasn't that long ago. I blamed her changed personality on stress and she even said that was why she hadn't been her normal sweet self. It is scary that a person can change so much so quickly. And, the people that I know that have just recently met her just see all the negatives as if she was always like that. O well, I will try and think more positive thoughts like how fantastic Dennis' Q is.

Hi Trish, If it is substance abuse, then I would think she should be hitting bottom very soon. I was afraid she was suffering from some type of mental problem and felt guilty that I wasn't doing more to be supportive. Didn't think drugs at all because she always trys to quit smoking and hates being addicted and complains it is too expensive. Even when she was super sweet, she distrusted people giving her help. It is sort of funny she could be helpful and that is just normal, but as a recipient of help it set off all manner of alarms for her. So, I was aware there was a chance she would react negatively to my help, but didn't have a clue as to how harsh it would be. If I thought that I could make a real difference, then I know I could take a lot more from her. And, sometimes people need just a little help or even a lot help to get back on their feet. I remember people who helped me at different points in my life and I've never forgotten. It isn't like I could give her a lot of help anyway, but sometimes just a little does a lot of good. It wasn't very upsetting because I actually expected the craziness. My main thought after the second phone call was I hoped there is someone else looking out for her. She does have a close female friend that provides a lot of emotional support so that may be enough.

She use to be the sweetest person, but some of her behaviour I don't even recognize. The neighbor kid (He's 17 now--hard to believe) felt it was his duty to have a sit down chat with me about her (as he said "man to man"). Yes, she was that difficult. About now the best thing about her is that she thinks I'm the world's greatest chef. If she wasn't dead broke (think food stamps), then I'd try and sell her one of Dennis's Qs and I think it would be a real easy sale.

Glad you found it amusing.

I've known Michelle for years, which is why in an emergency I let her stay with me for a few days. During her brief stay she repeatedly said she was crazy about my cooking (on the Q). I assumed she was just be very polite because she isn't a foodie typically. So, she keeps asking when I'm going to invite her over for some grilled chicken (on the Q) and that she really wants to come over next time I'm cooking. (I cook all the time on the Q, btw.) Basically, I didn't really want to have her over because she isn't very reliable and worse she won't call to give notice that she is on some other mission. Finally, I say OK it would be nice if you really want to come over we can have dinner. I didn't expect her to show even though she kept saying that I was the greatest cook in the world. Dinner (it was delicious, imo) came and went and of course there was NO Michelle or even a call from her until almost 2 hours after dinner. She had pulled into my driveway and wanted take out! I say NO that wouldn't be alright. She demands to know why. I explain that she was 2 hours late and that I ate most of her portion and gave what I couldn't finish to the neighbor kid (he is also crazy about my cooking.) End of story: She goes into a rage saying that I had NO right to give her chicken away. She even called me back about 20 minutes later saying that what I had done was very mean and then she hung up when I offered to buy her take out from her favorite restaurant (Popeye's, they have deep fried chicken). The neighbor kid is sure she will call me back after she gets over her mad; for the chicken. lol I'm hoping she just forgets my number and address.

Re: Easier than thought to move the Q A ramp should do the job. I'd love to try!

I was shocked that Rita just using a standard hand truck and some boards was easily able to move the Q to her backyard. She said it was a 10 minute job with the hard part just moving the boards to create a path thru the lawn. Now, uncrating was a whole 'nother story. She quit before she began and called me for help. Dennis not only improved the Q, but the crating underwent improvement too. That was about a half hour job for me, but then I didn't have my normal complement of tools nearby. In retrospect she thinks it was funny that she planned on hiring some big guys to move it for her. Given that she moved it so easily with just a hand truck, I'm wondering if a lift gate is truly necessary.

Thank you Very Interesting Read For those who would rather copy and paste here is the link: http://www.motherearthnews.com/Real-Foo ... art-2.aspx

Well, I helped Rita cook sparibs and then later some huge slabs of beef. Both turned out excellent. The guests went crazy over both the beauty of the Q and the taste of the vittles cooked thereon. Very fun times and Rita is looking forward to entertaining her family from the Deep South to show them that she can make mouthwatering fixins. I truly didn't think she would ever get the Q out of the garage, but she is smoking now.

I was helping a neighbor try and arrange for shipping for a car he was buying in Texas. The neighbor likes to be very cheap and didn't care for the $1,000 plus shipping quotes he was receiving. Anyway, I opened an account at UShip.com and got a shipping quote of $500. The shipper was already headed to Miami with a partial load that is why he was able to do it so cheaply. I love the concept of UShip. You list a shipment and then shippers bid for your business. It should be a win/win because if they have excess capacity and are already headed in your direction then it is like BBQ sauce for them and big savings for you. I remember Dennis asked about shipping solutions so maybe this is an opportunity. PS Anyone have a Datsun Pickup they'd like to ship me?

I'm very sad to hear the bad news. My prayers and thoughts are with you. Paul

Yes, my father always said that I took after my mom. At least he loved food cooked on the Q. And, he wanted left overs or precooked--there is a difference between the two?--from the Q. That worked out perfect. Cook once and then you have meals for him whenever he wants with no trouble. You eat TV dinners? Different strokes for different folks!

Mangrove Charcoal . . . that sounds very interesting. Here in Florida there is an abundance, but I'm not sure if you're allowed to cut them. Probably labor costs are too high anyway, but you never know. Here is a link with plenty of pics: http://thaisumi.com/en/mangrove.php

From the Mouth of Babes . . . The child next door was on his way to church this morning and he wanted to learn more about the BBQ I brought over. Once I told him it was a Boston Butt he became upset. He didn't want to be eating NO Butt. I explained that I thought it was from the shoulder of the hog. That seemed to satisfy him. His assessment is that it was undercooked. So, I said you don't want any in the future? He says oh, no it was delicious just it needed more cooking. His family does the meat very cooked. Anyway, I suggested he just put it in the oven for further cooking. I'm cutting the Boston Butt in half and giving them the half with the bone. Maybe that part is under cooked? I am able to slice it, which I like. However, maybe that is an indication it needs further cooking . . .

NUMBER THREE IS ON THE Q . . . NUMBER THREE IS ON THE Q. After over eight hours of cooking at around 220 degress it is always amazing to see how much charcoal is left. Before the Q, I rarely grilled because it was so wasteful. Now, it seems to be cheaper than propane . . . however that doesn't seem possible because propane is supposed to be super efficient. I tried to bake a potato with the Boston Butt and although it tasted very good it was moist and brown inside---like it was saying Hello over 8 hours is too much for a potato! Today I will try without the aluminium foil. That might make the potato less moist, which for me is better especially for the Idahos. Other people like the Yucca consistency better.

What is the difference? With the fried chicken the restaurant cooked it and then froze it and then the next day heated it. I got the reheated fried chicken and I didn't know it until afterward. My favorite food tasted poor to the point I just didn't want it. Other people in the family loved it, which was wonderful. I didn't know what was done until after I had already decided it was better to go hungry. My sister had always believed it was just a mental block with me until I didn't want the fried chicken. I might have even told her she didn't need to bring it home anymore and then she confessed. As it was no more free fried chicken because they had their new magic. Cook and then just reheat as needed. Some restaurants now use precooked meat from a factory. I would consider that leftovers generally. Yes, it probably is safe. Reminds me of tv dinners--very poor. Anyway, unless you get sick from food easily it is very difficult to understand. My mom had the right idea when I was young. Just let me not eat. Sometimes 3 or 4 days would go by. I didn't care if it was 2 weeks. Being hungry is much better than getting sick. Anyway, I haven't spoken to her in over 20 years and she has lost her mind, according to my oldest sister, so that relationship ended the best way possible. Believe me I can afford to lose some weight! Go without food for days or weeks wouldn't be a problem.

Too Easy!!! Yes, I just finished chowing down my second Boston Butt this evening and if anything it was even better if that is possible. The neighbor child was at church so I don't have his feedback yet . . . he does go crazy over the spare ribs . . .

Hi trish, I'm very weak when comes to food. My father who was a really sweet and intelligent man would get very upset about how careful I was about food. I would get sick. Sometimes very sick. His mantra was it is all in your head. I understood where he was coming from because he NEVER got sick from food no matter its condition. Anyway, one day he searches thru the garbage. I had NO idea he was doing such nonsense. And, he finds a bunch of donuts in mint condition. He hits the roof! Food was really a very sore point in my family. I explain the food has been POISONED. I didn't even know how he can stand it in his mouth. I later learn that due to genetics some people can taste certain poisons and others can't. Apparently, he can't. So he gobbles them down saying DELICIOUS, despite my protests. And, he is also saying you're a NUT, blah, blah, blah. I say let me know when to call the ambulance or heck, I will drive you if you can walk to the car. Sure enough for the first time in his life he understood what it was like to get really sick from food. He hated hospitals with a passion, but as he kept getting sicker he asked me to get ready to take him. He suffered may be a week. After that I never heard any nonsense about it is all in your head. He asked why didn't you call the police if you knew the doughnuts were poisoned. I said first of all I can't believe anyone could even eat them! They were nasty and I love doughnuts. Second, do you think the police would treat me better than you? Also, I'm even afraid to eat at friends' homes. I ate a shrimp that I knew was trouble, but you spit it out? Boy, did I get sick. Throwing up and the works. Dad wanted to call an ambulance. I asked the friend and he said no one else complained and he loved the shrimp. That same scenario has played out with other friends-- bad BBQ for example. I got very sick and everyone else was fine. My younger sister has the same problem. Anyway, I cringe when a friend wants me to come over to eat. Usually, I will make up different excuses. What does all this ranting have to do with leftovers? Well, it seems like more often than not the leftovers are a real problem. My older sister brought me some fried chicken from work, which was normal. And, I loved it. One night she brought some home that I didn't care for and she was surprised and said fried chicken is your favorite. I said I don't even want it. I don't know what is wrong, but I'd rather eat nothing. And, I was definitely hungry. Then she admits the restaurant had a new policy. Recooking leftovers. Even though I hadn't eaten much of the chicken I got sick. My mother loved to say if you're hungry you'll eat anything. I was told her, you would be surprised--I'm definitely willing to starve if the food is bad. It doesn't make any sense to eat so you can start vomiting and worse. You get sick, again and again, then why continue the nonsense? The only other person getting sick was my younger sister. And, she doesn't like being invited to friends' homes to eat, either. It isn't any fun dealing with the food problem. I never eat the leftovers, anymore. Doesn't matter how good the food was or how much I need to save money. I just tell myself it is better to go hungry rather than risk getting sick. The last time I got sick from food, a friend's party (sort of forced to eat), I was very sick for about 2 weeks. Never again. I'd rather friends think I'm a nut or think poorly of me. Just because they can eat whatever doesn't mean I can. Countless times I was told about the starving children everywhere. I never did understand why that meant I should be eating food that would make me very sick. And, if it was so good, then why wouldn't I eat it? I LOVED eating good food and usually ate too much--good food didn't make me sick even when I truly stuffed myself past any reasonable boundaries. Anyway, thank you for the advice. I'm sure it is great for almost everyone else.

It probably sounds CRAZY . . . It probably sounds CRAZY, but I'm going to do another Boston Butt today. No, I didn't eat all of the first one. I gave it the teenager next door because he is still growing, over 6 ft, and loves ribs. He does wish that I'd make them hotter, but I figure he can always add hot sauce later. At 99 cents a pound, I bought 4 butts which really is too much to buy at one time.

Re: Exercise And, the extra weight just means there is more of me to love.