CeramicChef

Back again KKers! Let's take a look at the stand that is to be Beauty's! resting place for the next few months or so. Let me warn you that unlike everything else KK, this stand does not come ready for use out of the box. As is said and is the absolute bane of every parent's Christmas Eve experience, "Some Assembly Required. Batteries Not Included". So here we go! Again, the box ... yawn! Again, the obligatory 1/2" styrofoam top and bottom and all around! I take off the top layer of styrofoam, and VOILA! But, WHOA! What is this?!!! I've never seen this in any of the pictures of the stands for the 19"! It is a teak shelf that fits in down at the bottom of the stainless steel stand. TEAK! Nobody ever told me about this! It is simply stunning, both in its deep rich beauty of the teak and in its construction. Stunning! Take a look at the construction of this shelf in the next picture! What you see is the underside of the teak shelf. Every horizontal piece is is held in place by lathes that are counter sunk. All the screw holes are covered with teak. This is for a shelf that not one single solitary soul will see and the underside of this teak shelf is a work of pure craftsmanship. Talk about taking pride in one's work! (oh, BTW, did anyone know that Dennis Linkletter, owner of KK, was known 'round the world for his teak furniture and flooring LONG before he created that world's best kamado?) The cross pieces are, what else, stainless steel. All hardware needed to completely assemble the stand is included and is of course stainless also. Okay, that's all I have for now. I've gotta run and pick up SWMBOI at the airport. It's colder than the proverbial wicked stepmother's love outside, snowing, and supposed to get worse all weekend. More later. Thanks for looking! Y'all stay warm and have a great weekend!

Okay, as promised, here comes the rotisserie basket for TheBeast that came along with Beauty! for the ride. Now I've seen a fair number of rotisserie baskets and spits in my time, but What you're about to see just blew me away. TheBeast is is NOT done any kind of justice by the photos you've seen. He has to be see, touched, and experienced to be understood. Just as you don't get any kind of real experience seeing a photograph of a professional American Football offensive left tackle by looking at his player card, how overwhelmingly massive he is, so too with TheBeast! I'm amazed every time I cook on him. He is massively athletic. Everything about him is massive. So too with his rotisserie basket. Here is the box that the rotisserie basket comes in. No big deal, right? And as we've seen before, the basket comes very well packed. Styrofoam all around ... top, bottom, and all sides. And here is the basket in the box all wrapped up in plastic wrap. What else, right? What you don't get a sense of it how large the gauge of the rods are, how hefty this basket is, and how sturdy the construction is. The rods running the length of the basket are made from the same gauge stainless steel as are the rods on all the cooking grates in TheBeast. Here is a picture of the rotisserie basket with the tines that hold the cook(s) in place. Whereas most tines that hold cook(s) in place are set with thumb screws, these come complete with their own Allen wrench to make certain that the basket doesn't come undone in the midst of a cook! There are 5 of these tines and they slide left and right on the rods and can move about 300 degrees about their axis where they are attached to the rods. There is a fail-safe that only allows the tines to come off the roads at each end. Here are a few closeups of the tines that hold the cook(s) in the basket. These pictures really don't do justice to how ruggedly this basket is built. It will easily hold 4 good sized chickens. I can cook a turkey in this bad boy and never blink. And entire prime rib roast is easily accommodated by this basket. And in talking with Dennis, I am assured there is absolutely no slippage at any point. Many rotisseries can easily get overloaded. I don't see that happening here. After seeing this basket as the centerpiece of the rotisserie system, I feel embarrassed asking the questions I asked Dennis. Ever the gracious man that he is, he answered all my questions with the equanimity that is his hallmark. Next, onward and upward. Back to Beauty! and her stand.

Tony - I really question how intelligent you are living up there in Iowa during the winters! Those kinds of temps are only fit for cryo labs!

Now we'll cover the basket splitter and the baking stone. As many of you may remember from the pics of TheBeast, Dennis Linkletter makes absolutely certain that nothing is left to chance. Everything that is shipped is so well wrapped that it's a chore just to break into the packages. Once you get into the packages, you're meet with plastic wrap and styrofoam. Get ready, here it comes! Just remember, you asked for it! LOL!! Here is the box for the basket splitter. Everything is so clearly marked even I can't screw it up! Here is the basket splitter still wrapped in plastic. Notice all the styrofoam underneath and along each side. Well, there was also a cap of styrofoam you don't see. Cutting through all that plastic wrap is quite a chore, but it can be done. I was almost tempted trying to keep all that plastic wrap for future cooks, but saner heads prevailed! Now on to the baking stone. KKers, Dennis worked with some engineers to design the baking stones for his KKs such that there was the correct amount of thermal mass so that pizza after piazza could be cooked without having to wait for the stone to "recycle" and be hot enough to give a good bottom crust. This shot shows the top and side layers of styrofoam. Here you see the underside of the baking stone. Most people think it is the top side to be used for baking, but wait until you see the other side. Here is a side view. Most stones are only about 1/2" and the really good ones are about 3/4" - 1" in thickness. This stone is 1 1/2" thick! Tons of thermal mass for great pizza crusts. As an aside, the baking stone on TheBeast is fully 2' thick and weighs a ton! This stone has no small amount of heft to it. And finally, here is the baking surface. It has been finished to a mirror finish. I can tell you from experience with TheBeast's baking stone that sliding pizzas, breads, etc. on and off the stone is simply effortless. Just easy peasy. You couldn't ask for more! I've got to run right now, but next well cover a rotisserie basket for TheBeast you simply won't believe!

KKers! Today, the saga ends, Beauty! was delivered yesterday at 2:30 p.m. weighing in at a svelte 548 pounds including all the extras! I about froze outside while Tom got her off the truck and safely into my garage. Here are a couple pics to whet your whistle for what's to come. This first picture of Beauty and her delivery driver, Tom. Tom delivered TheBeast to my home last August and remember him quite well. He said that Beauty! is a small little thing compared to her bigger brother! Beauty! herself weighs in at 338 lbs compared to TheBeast at 954 lbs! Quite a difference. Tom is a really great guy and told me he'd put Beauty anyplace I wanted. Here is Beauty! riding the lift gate down to the street. Here is another pic of Beauty! giving you an idea of all the accessories that came with her. As is the case with everything KK, it is so well wrapped as to preclude any damage in transit! That's all I have for right now. As I post this it is now 24F and with the wind chill it feels like 14F. I'm going to have to bring all the boxes into the house and open them in here. IT's just too dadgummed cold to do anything in the garage and NO! I don't have a garage heater. My hands are frozen and my fingers just now beginning to thaw out! More to come!

Tony - sorry to disappoint. There is only so much/little you can do with a chiminea! Now if only Dennis would get in the chiminea business, I'd be first in line and you'd be run over with pictures!

heavenly - we almost went with the Venetian! I didn't realize the grill was that big! The 19" Hi-Cap arrived today and what a beauty Beauty! is. Pictures don't do her justice.

Thanks, Tony! I used to own a burger restaurant and I've made thousands of Juicy Lucys over the years. I've suffered more than my fair share of blowouts! In more ways than I care to count! LOL!

Tony - Beauty hit the driveway this afternoon at 2:30! She looks better in person than in her pictures. She's simply radiant!

Howdy KKers! As many of you know, last Tuesday was a bit of a downer. Beauty!, my new KK 19" Hi-Cap wasn't delivered. What a saga! BUT (there is always a but, right?) I did get an unexpected expected delivery! A couple of months back I asked if anyone had any recommendations for a chiminea and I got a few good leads. Out of that "conversation" SWMBOI and I went and ordered a Rose model chiminea from The Blue Rooster Company. This was after looking at many different types of chimineas, ceramic, cast iron, cast aluminum, brick, etc. SWMBOI christened this Chiminea "Rose" and she thinks it'll make a nice playmate for Beauty! on the patio. This is a pretty hefty unit (approx. 80 lbs.) and it took some considerable tugging to get it out of the box. This is a cast aluminum unit. It was packed quite well and there was absolutely no damage in transit. So, without further adieu, here are the pictures of Rose, the new chiminea that arrived Tuesday afternoon and that was assembled yesterday and it took its proper place on the patio. So here is a picture of just the firebox sitting on 3 cast aluminum legs that I had to screw into the body. No big deal. You can also see the screen that again, required just a bit of assembly. Now the next picture you KKers are going to find more than a little humorous. This picture is looking down the top of the chiminea. See that grate? Well, that is what Blue Rooster calls a "cooking grate"! The girl I spoke with when I ordered Rose told me it was included. That grate is 8" in diameter! What are you gonna cook on an 8" grate? A burger or no more than 4 hot dogs! I"ve got 32" of Hall of Fame cooking greatness, TheBeast, always ready to get fired up and I've got Beauty!, my new 19" Hi-Cap on the way, so what am I going to do with an 8" grill? I don't think I'll be using that specific attachment. But in any event, here it is for your amusement! The next picture is with the chimney portion attached. It is held in place by 3 set screws. It has the signature Rose rising up the length of the chimney. Looking down the chimney of the chiminea you can see what Blue Rooster calls the spark arrestor. I don't see how this is going to keep sparks from flying out the chimney, but nonetheless, ... There is a cap that comes with most chimineas by Blue Rooster to keep stuff from falling into the chiminea when it's not in use. Here is a picture with that cap in place. Kind of Like BGE! And finally, I purchased a cover for Rose. As is the case around here, this is formal wear. This black cover is really quite well made of a heavy fabric that is both UV resistance and waterproof. In the bottom left hand corner, you can see what looks like a pigtail. That is a draw string that will keep Rose's dignity intact during the stiff OKC spring breezes. Her dress won't be flipped over her head like some kamado covers! I'd rather have had a Sunbrella cover, but this will have to serve instead. So, Tuesday wasn't a total bust! Rose showed up and she's already started talking smack to TheBeast. He's kind shell shocked. He's run this place for quite some time and he really doesn't know what he's in for at this point! But then, none of us guys ever really get over a new female in the digs, right? Hey Dennis - have you ever thought of making a line of chimineas? I can see it now ... a 350 pound chiminea! Seriously, I know you could build a KILLER chiminea. I'll buy one now!

Tony, as usual, you're right, but I'm still noshing on leftover Juicy Lucy Meatballs! Remember, it's only me, even tho my waistline looks like I'm eating for 3!

Ckreef - very nicely done! Great color on those cooked meatballs. Buddy, that is one nice cook. Kudos to ya!

Dstr8 - that looks as if it made some wonderful eating! Beautiful pizza pies! Kudos and congrats to you!

Tony - with that post just above, you are officially off the list. You're too damned far gone!

Wow, tony! Those are some great looking ribs! Thanks for posting here. I think I'm going to put this on the list of things to try. First though, I'm doing a Sous Vide Tri-Tip. I'll sear first then put the Tri-Tip then seal and sous vide for about 48 hours. We'll see how that goes and report back!

I'm glad to know that I'm not alone in the procrastination boat! I always meant to see who else was in the boat with me, but I always found something else to do!

Ckreef & Tony - you boys are going on the list of folks I've met in the kamado game who need a BIG dose of professional help! Y'all are simply nuts and may be beyond professional help. Kinda like me.

Tony - LOL! A man I can related to big time! LOL! I love it!

Dennis - do you have one of those double walled drip pans for the 19" Hi-Cap? If so, what's the price point? Thanks in advance!

Have a nice trip to the market. It'll all be worth it in the end. Kiss skreef for me!

tiny - thanks so much for the compliment. You'd knock this cook outta the park. Give it a go!

ckreef - thanks. I'm looking forward to your cooks on that 16.5" KK you're contemplating. Those will be killer cooks!

Tony - thanks for the compliment. I used to own a hamburger joint and I always fixed my own Juicy Lucy Burgers. I learned how to crip patties so that things didn't blow out. Meatballs are MUCH easier! Really.

dstr8 - this was an easy cook, fun to do, and was really pretty tasty!

mk1 - I've been interested in these drip pan that can double as a heat reflector for some time. I should have ordered two last time to talked to Dennis ... one for my KK BB32", TheBeast, and another for the 19" Hi-Cap I just ordered, Beauty! Could have killed two birds with one stone. mk1 - thanks for this post! I appreciate your taking the time to show us these new drip pans. Oh, BTW, great looking ribs there. Beautiful money shot!