Beast of a BBQ
My BBQ grill has served me well for almost 10 years now, but I'm afraid it's on its last legs.
Before we had a backyard garden shed, we used to leave the grill covered on the back patio. Occasionally, when the wind would blow, it would work its way to the edge of the patio and keel over... and eventually the handle just completely broke off. Luckily one of the bolt holes kept from breaking out, so I was able to attach a vice-grip to use as a handle.
Last summer, we transported the grill out to the box factory for a family BBQ. On the trip home, one of the cross-members (where we had attached a tie-strap) broke apart from the rest of the grill... which caused the grill surface to lean at a ~10 degree angle. Rather than abandon my trusty grill, I simply drilled holes in the tube frame and ran some lag screws into the detached cross-member. It's a little rickety, but it holds together and keeps the grill horizontal.
I got the grill out of the shed over the weekend and gave it a spring cleaning. I burned off all the junk that grows over the winter, and I gave the cast-iron grilling grates a good scrubbing. Now I just need to season the grates and she should be good for one more grilling season... I hope.
I've had my eyes on a new grill for several years now, but until this one finally gives up completely, I ain't spending a dime on a new one. And when I do replace this one, I plan to spend enough to get decent quality... and I pretty much have it narrowed down to two choices. Do I go with a Weber Gas Grill, or do I go all out and just get a Traeger? I just don't know...
Comments
How do you season the grill?
I vote for the Traeger. My brother has one and it makes steak like buttah.
Posted by: Lynn | March 30, 2007 3:48 PM
My grill has cast iron cooking grates, so I just season them like I would a cast iron skillet. Rub them with Crisco and heat them up good. It doesn't totally prevent things from sticking, but it sure helps.
I wheeled my grill back into the shed yesterday and went a cross a small depression along the way. The whole grill swayed and leaned to one side... I was just sure it was going to collapse. I'm not so sure it's going to make it to the fall now...
I vote Traeger, too. But it may just come down to what I can afford when this one dies. A Traeger is twice as much as the Weber I want, so I really don't see it happening... unfortunately. :-(
Posted by: Jeff | March 30, 2007 4:24 PM