Cook the Book: Taming the Flame
Posted by Ed Levine, July 2, 2007 at 1:00 PM
It's July 4th week, so we figured it's only right that the Cook The Book should revolve around grilling and picnics, since that's what most folks are going to end up doing at some point in the next few days. Taming the Flame, by Elizabeth Karmel, has tons of useful information and tips about grilling as well as some terrific recipes, and we are going to share both in the coming week. Elizabeth introduced girl power to the grilling set when she created Girls at the Grill. And yes, we're going to be giving away five copies of Elizabeth's book, so that the lucky winners will have the book in hand by Labor Day, in time for their next backyard barbecue blow-out. To enter the drawing for the book just tell us in the comments section of this entry what your grill of choice is. Five (5) winners will be chosen at random from among the commenters. The usual Serious Eats contest rules apply. Comments will be open until Friday, July 8, at 9 p.m. ET.
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Comments are closed: 50 Comments:
Love our Weber gas grill with side burners (so handy!), but sometimes the flavor of charcoal can't be beat for the simple foods like hot dogs and burgers!
bobcatsteph3 at 2:03PM on 07/02/07
Two Big Green Eggs and a Meco. Charcoal rules!
Cathy at 2:11PM on 07/02/07
Current fave is our Wever Charcoal Grill, bought it a few months ago and have been loving it ever since :)
Sarahrm at 2:19PM on 07/02/07
I love my Weber kettle charcoal grill. It rocks! Plus, it is aesthetically right on for me!
gwenpentland at 2:31PM on 07/02/07
I love the convenience of a gas grill, but sometimes you just cannot beat the taste of charcoal. That's why we have both on hand. It's the best of both worlds!
Erinay77 at 2:45PM on 07/02/07
oops, just saw my comment and realized I mispelled WEBER!!!
Sarahrm at 3:04PM on 07/02/07
Weber Smokey Mountain...but now that's a smoker, does it count? I really want a Weber Performer.
josh! at 3:15PM on 07/02/07
hole in the ground. lined with bricks. oak and hickory coals. steel grate. cinder block sides. corrugated tin for the lid. and a shovel.
intheyearofthepig at 3:21PM on 07/02/07
Classic Weber!
Fiksu at 3:31PM on 07/02/07
I currently have a gas grill with as many bells and whistles as I could afford, but if it weren't for living in a condo with a wood deck, I'd definitely have a classic Weber kettle grill--so much cheaper and the results, frankly, are better.
msmla at 3:37PM on 07/02/07
it doesnt matter the type of grill as long as the food in the end is delicious
vinnyger at 3:38PM on 07/02/07
Weber gas...thought I've been hankering for a charcoal one as well. Time...just need more time to go the charcoal route as I think it does make a difference taste wise!
tkln at 3:45PM on 07/02/07
Classic weber kettle for my grilling. I also have an electric smoker for my bbq.
logicalmind at 4:41PM on 07/02/07
Char-Broil Santa Fe charcoal grill. Inexpensive with massive cooking area!
pbrodd at 4:42PM on 07/02/07
I'm a die hard charcoal grill fan!
jbrach at 4:42PM on 07/02/07
My Weber kettle rocks!! I also use a charcoal chimney.
jkiller5150 at 4:49PM on 07/02/07
I use the standard Weber charcoal grill and I love it...
aburke at 5:02PM on 07/02/07
any charcoal grill is fine, but don't you dare use starter fluid on it!
monicabg at 5:12PM on 07/02/07
Big Green Egg. Smoke, Grill, bake, it does everything at any temp from 150 to over 1000.
jgschiff at 5:13PM on 07/02/07
Weber Kettle and a wood-fired homebuilt cob oven.
dikaryon at 5:28PM on 07/02/07
We love our Weber gas grill at home but when we are at our lake house we cook out on the charcoal grills and mix in wood chips for a smokey flavor, good stuff!
Jeana at 6:21PM on 07/02/07
Weber Performer grill.
aklectic at 7:04PM on 07/02/07
ditto charcoal
Lou at 7:53PM on 07/02/07
Well that would be the CharGriller Smokin Pro BBQ Smoker. Woot.
Jperezish at 7:57PM on 07/02/07
Any grill that gets a taste of my tongs.
JWdude at 9:48PM on 07/02/07
weber all the way!
Mike13241 at 9:50PM on 07/02/07
my mommy's grill (i have no idea what kind it is, it is just super easy to turn on, like a stove)
anado at 10:06PM on 07/02/07
I moved in with new roommates at the end of May and was so excited to find a huge charcoal grill on the tiny patio of our third floor apartment ... I have no idea how it got up the fire escape, but I'm glad I met the grill just in time for summer!
Littlebluesiren at 11:37PM on 07/02/07
Sadly, with no outdoor space here in my Manhattan box, my favorite "grill" is my All Clad grill pan -- perhaps the best thing to come off my wedding registry. I know it's a sad sub for the real thing, but I don't know the NYPD would take to kindly to us setting up a grill on the sidewalk in front of the building.
FKC at 1:05AM on 07/03/07
A cheap gas grill---we our grill so much ---year round---they wear out. We tried an expensive grill ---$500+ and it only lasted a year longer than the cheaper ones. Almost all of our meat is cooked on the grill come rain, sunshine,or snow.
goldexplorer at 1:46AM on 07/03/07
I use a gas grill for convenience. However, the taste of charcoal can't be beat!
Mich23 at 7:46AM on 07/03/07
any grill will do
hedgehog at 9:49AM on 07/03/07
Weber gas, three zone. Charcoal on special occasions
gavri at 10:11AM on 07/03/07
Well a charcoal grill is ideal, but my gas weber certainly is easier.
Josh Baugher at 10:31AM on 07/03/07
One of those "BBQ Boxes" in Central Park that you have to scramble for because there are only so many.
bpjc at 12:20PM on 07/03/07
Weber charcoal burning is my fave
spanklin at 2:15PM on 07/03/07
I use the same grill my father did - a charcoal burning black Weber kettle.
I use hardwood lump charcoal and a chimney starter. I can get from zero to red hot coals in about five minutes.
This grill gives me fantastic flavor, excellent range and control of heat, and the ability to smoke, grill/sear or roast.
This grill cost about $65 some seven years ago.
There's a reason it's a classic.
keihin at 5:11PM on 07/03/07
The large, rectangular charcoal grill we bought at Costco ten years ago is sadly rusting out. It is called a "smoker," but any large grill where you can put food and charcoal on different sides works as a smoker, and that's essentially the method of this grill. I make ribs (on the off side) regularly, and there are two or three couples who won't come to dinner unless I promise to make those ribs! Soon it will be time to get a replacement.
Teachertalk at 8:17PM on 07/03/07
my favorite grill is the new one i will buy if i win this book.
cl2040 at 8:56PM on 07/03/07
Love my DCS gas grill..but there's nothing like the real thing..Charcoal just gives a flavor to grilled food that gas can't..
mallard at 9:03AM on 07/04/07
We just got a Char-Broil 4 burner grill with a side burner at Father's Day. I haven't had this much fun burning animal flesh in years!
quest1962 at 11:18AM on 07/04/07
One more vote for the Weber - with natural wood charcoal. If you're using a gas grill, you might as well cook indoors on the stove, in my humble opinion. I have used my original-style inexpensive Weber in winter and summer. It also works well as a smoker -- can't beat a Thanksgiving turkey smoked on the grill!
cookbookchick at 4:56PM on 07/04/07
Weber gas grill w/ side burners and a wood chip holder that nestles between the gas jets. Yesterday, we had mesquite smoked hamburgers. They were delicious!
pageycooks at 7:57AM on 07/05/07
Char-broil direct feed natural gas grill with cast iron smoker box. Can't beat it for year-round grilling.
JimB at 9:10AM on 07/05/07
The Char-Broil works ridiculously well for our needs, and here in SoCal we pretty much use it year-round. Four main burners, side burner too -- cooks up a whole mess o' food. Used to be charcoal guy, but the ease and convenience of gas when cooking for family and friends makes it too hard to pass up.
emg72 at 2:01PM on 07/05/07
I unloaded the silly Weber Genesis gas bbq on my step-son and bought a real barbecue...a CharBroil 860 charcoal grill. Anyone who understands the value of cooking in a cast iron skillet will appreciate its cast iron cooking grates, which provide incredible searing ability, even heat, and great grill marks.
meta at 2:57PM on 07/05/07
a weber charcoal grill
SkinnyFatty at 3:16PM on 07/05/07
Aussie charcoal grill.....heavy duty, yet easy to transport to the beach! (In a pinch the CharBroil gas grill works too)
mepolo at 4:41PM on 07/05/07
a weber, because charcoal is the only way! when i win the lottery i'll buy a big green egg..someday
iguanablue at 7:55AM on 07/06/07
Good old Weber Kettle.
elysek at 1:15PM on 07/06/07