One reason why I like summer

[crash]

my electric bill arrived yesterday, and was only $79.

That's a freakin' gift in the middle of summer.

Jesus fucking wept I wish my electricity bill was that for the end of the summer quarter.

Iirc, it was more like $1200 for Dec-Feb.

[blueberryhill]

I agree that food tastes better on charcoal grill and I have always had my trusty Weber grill on my patio. Several years ago, my son wanted to give me a gas grill for Christmas and I declined that offer. When I moved from Colorado to Arizona, son took old Weber bright yellow (I loved all the colors they used to make) and now he uses it more than his fancy, expensive gas grill. I regulate temp on grill by opening/closing vent on lid. When charcoal is fully burning, place lid on top and open vent to keep high heat, and close vent to lower temp. Not an exact science, though.
My electric bill for month was $185 for the past month, but we had record breaking high temps and my oxygen concentrator is on 24/7. I do get a $17 credit each month for medical reasons.

[ramseycat]

My electric bill was about $200 this month. A/c running all the time. Gas was $36. I have a gas stove and hot water tanks. IDT that's too bad considering it's been super hot here for the past few months.

[sally]

My electric bill is like $200-$300 in the winter and $400 in the summer.

[QueenBee]

Duchess, I used to feel the same way about charcoal, a pain in the ass to get going, and such a mess. But when I took in Mr Bee, he brought his own charcoal grill and one of these charcoal chimneys. You put the coal in the top, stuff some newspaper in the bottom, light the paper then wait about 15 mins or so for coal to take hold. Then pour the hot coals onto the grill and you are good to go. No lighter fluid needed.

[Carsman]

You raise the cooking surface.

Unfortunately, when he was cooking 5 or 6 different types of meat, they all didn't need to be raised or lowered at the same time.

He now has 4 individual "gas" burners (as do I on my gas grill) where each burner is controlled separately.

Chicken on low, steaks & burgers on high, sausages on medium, hot dogs & kielbasa on med high, etc. (Works good for me too.)

[blueberryhill]

Still think charcoal grill has best flavor, and Duchess, it is so easy. If I can do it, so can you. You make a little pile of charcoal, use any flavor chips which you have soaked in water, e.g., hickory, mesquite, etc. Pour lighter fluid over charcoal and then light...then stand back...while you are waiting for the charcoal to become fully involved, you have a cocktail or two...then apply steaks, chicken, etc; adjust coals with tongs so everything on grill is cooked. Thick cuts in middle, thinner cuts on outside and so on.




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[Duchess]

Will you marry me?

[thekid65]

Jesus fucking wept I wish my electricity bill was that for the end of the summer quarter.

Iirc, it was more like $1200 for Dec-Feb.

Quarterly bills in Oz, eh? Not sure if I'd like that so much.

As far as heat regulation, not that hard. In the case where I'm doing different meats, I'll just have one side of the Weber filled with charcoal, the other, not so much. Move shit around as necessary. But really, I'm only doing two different types of meat at once for the most part. Chicken and Steak..or hamburgers/hotdogs. I don't do a lot of fish on the grill, albeit I do have planks, just havent mastered them yet.

[crash]

Yeah, I didn't realise your $79 dollar bill was only for a month until a few more people posted. It seems Sally is about on par with me, the rest of you are doing ok.

I have a charcoal weber grill and a charcoal weber smoker. I even do pizzas in the grill. They work well with a pizza stone and a bit of apple and mesquite or cherry and hickory or whatever is laying around. You can't beat charcoal imo. You learn to play with the amount of charcoal and the vents to get the heat right.

[ramseycat]

^^you need to stop talking about cooking or you are going to make me want you.

[Duchess]

I think Ramsey has a hard on for Crash.

[crash]

Fucking hell I'm signing out for a week until you all get normal again or the phase of the moon changes or something.

[Duchess]

Are you threatening me with normality, mister? Normal is...well...vanilla.

[crash]

I meant normal for Mock..

[Duchess]

I know. I'm just fuckin' with you. I'm trying to get rid of some energy, I thought maybe I could do it through my mouth.

[crash]

I thought maybe I could do it through my mouth.

[Duchess]

Yeah. I know.

It's 8:00 AM. I've been up for hours. I'm high. A little highstrung too.

[ramseycat]

I know. I'm just fuckin' with you. I'm trying to get rid of some energy, I thought maybe I could do it through my mouth.

Oh Cowboy!! Duchess wants to see you.

[Blindgreed1]

I have both gas and charcoal grills. The charcoal grill is my go to as it has a side fire box and more room than the gas grill. The only thing I cook on the gas grill anymore is New York strips.