It's a sign I think...

Just messing around today and came up with this.  It's a new pit sign.  

The piggy needs a little work, yet don't we all.  As we grow I hope to get better at our grilling and mastering the art of the "sport" & maybe come up with a new piggy mascot.  But for now he'll do and we will continue to Smoke on!!

Just a girl and her grill

Pitmaster Birthday

Soooo I know someone whom I'm pretty close with that has this Birthday coming up.  I'm looking for some ideas on something Bbq related, gadgets & gizmos.

He loves the Red Sox, his favorite food is bacon & favorite color is brown sugar.

I welcome any idea & thoughts, as this birthday is fast approaching.

Thanks in advance!!

Review: Stump Chunks fire starter

A few months ago , on a trip to my local hardware store I found a display at the register offering free samples of Stump Chunks firestarter.  Always looking for new stuff to try in the pit, I grabbed the small bag and read the label. It seems these brothers from my home state of New Hampshire discovered the ground up pieces of tree stumps ( They're loggers, I presume) make a great natural fire starter.

I took the free sample home and gave it a try. I grabbed a big handful out of the bag and piled it in my fire box. I dumped about a 1/2 a chimney of charcoal briquettes  on top and fired up the propane torch. The Stump Chunks lit quickly and spread fast. It burned hot and plenty long enough to get the coals rolling. 

Test two was a pile underneath a charcoal chimney. Again, the Stump Chunks worked famously at getting the charcoal glowing in short order.  The third and final test was starting split firewood directly. I used no kindling and built the fire with 3 sticks of Oak. Another rousing success! I had the oak fully afire in minutes!

Stump Chunks starts like paper and burns like kindling!  Since its just wood there is zero problem with taste to your food.

If you're starting a grill, a smoker, a fire pit or wood stove, check out Stump Chunks. I highly recommend it!

Stump Chunks online

Another home run!!

I love gadgets. I also love BBQ'ing/smoking/grilling.  What could be a better gift than gadgets I can use for BBQ?  Apparently the in-laws know the answer to that question, because once again they hit another home run (I also love baseball!).

For this year's birthday I was super excited to get an early birthday gift package from my wife's folks. They've been around for a few of our early culinary creations and they know how much we love to cook. Once again they ran with that idea and got me more great gifts and tools to help hone my skills in the pit.

Thanks again J&P for the silicone gloves, meat claws, basting brush and (best of all!) the infrared thermometer! They will all go to good use starting this weekend! Awesome gifts ( AGAIN!!)

Still licking my fingers over this one!

This weekends smoke...St Louis Style pork ribs.  The rub is a new experiment using  fresh ground coffee and reduced salt (my sister'request).  Total smoke time: 5.5 hours at 225-235. smoked on Oak and Hickory. Slathered with Sweet Baby Ricky's BBQ sauce ( my take on Sweet Baby Rays).

The good news...they tasted great, super tender and moist with a great bark. The bad news...overcooked them a touch. While most people would be stoked with tasty ribs that are "falling off the bone" tender, it will not fly in competition BBQ.  I'm not altogether disappointed...they really were good, but I'm not looking for "good". I'm looking for GREAT! I will find it on my smoker eventually. For now, more practice! 

Grilled pizza... The new game in town!