I feel like I'm alone in that I stay out of politics. I have a sign like this in my living room and I've been criticized.

26 minutes ago, Uscg-green said:

After the talk  yesterday I had to go out and get a half bushel of 1's and stuff to make orange crush.

Try using Grand Marnier in place of Trpile Sec.

3 minutes ago, TEW said:

Try using Grand Marnier in place of Trpile Sec.

Changes the taste alot?

41 minutes ago, ManuManu said:

Makes plenty though? I have a family of four. 

I have a family of three.  But I eat like 2... maybe 3.  

 

There are limits to what will fit... 6 qts will hold a 5-6 lb whole chicken.  4-5 lb pork shoulder.   But, it's wonderful for tough cuts and stocks.  

 

It also does rice great, something I've always struggled with... not really sure why, but I've sucked at rice.

 

 

I will add that the first thing I made in it was braciole... and it was easily the best braciole I've ever had.  So tender, so delicious.

6 minutes ago, TEW said:

Try using Grand Marnier in place of Trpile Sec.

Never. Grand Mariner is for my tequila, margaritas and sunrises. 

7 minutes ago, Uscg-green said:

Does it give it a whole new taste or just more booze? Lol

It has a stronger, more vanilla taste to it. It's just a higher quality liqueur -- it's sweeter, but at the same time not as blatantly sugary on the pallet.

If you ever know that you're going to be making orange crushes, also try infusing the vodka with oranges ahead of time.

5 minutes ago, BigEFly said:

Never. Grand Mariner is for my tequila, margaritas and sunrises. 

Cadi-ritas are good, but sour mix tends to give me heart burn so I don't drink them very often.

9 minutes ago, TEW said:

also try infusing the vodka with oranges ahead of time.

I've been doing Orange flavored Vodka but I bet your way is better. 

I'm famous in my family for my utter dislike of Lamb - the smell, the taste.... As far as I am concerned, let it baa in a field and provide wool for clothes.

Is someone reading the blog?

 

1 hour ago, ToastJenkins said:

What about a lid for rain etc?

I have a cover on mine. The cooktop wont rust because you keep it seasoned with a layer of oil.  The rest of it is painted and the cover is pretty water proof. Ive pulled the cover off wet before and the grill was completely dry. Its a nice cover that comes with it. Not one of those thin vynil grill covers that rips. 

7 minutes ago, UK Eagle said:

I'm famous in my family for my utter dislike of Lamb - the smell, the taste.... As far as I am concerned, let it baa in a field and provide wool for clothes.

Is someone reading the blog?

 

They are great. I bought mine years ago after @B3 posted about his.

Its great and yet, since then theyve come a long way. 

Mine has an issue with the grease not dripping in to the trap but theyve solved that design flaw.

That one I see has a nice metal cover to better protect the cook surface, but Ive never had an issue with my cloth cover. 

They now come with cabinets underneath. The side burner. The side fryer. None of those things existed back when I got mine. 

They have a lot of good accessories like bacon presses, crepe making kits, egg rings, etc. You can do anything on them. And if you insist on grill marks for something sometime, you can buy the grill grate separately. The flat griddle simply lifts right off (though mine is like 50lbs) and you can set the grill grates on. Easy.

13 minutes ago, HazletonEagle said:

They are great. I bought mine years ago after @B3 posted about his.

Its great and yet, since then theyve come a long way. 

Mine has an issue with the grease not dripping in to the trap but theyve solved that design flaw.

That one I see has a nice metal cover to better protect the cook surface, but Ive never had an issue with my cloth cover. 

They now come with cabinets underneath. The side burner. The side fryer. None of those things existed back when I got mine. 

They have a lot of good accessories like bacon presses, crepe making kits, egg rings, etc. You can do anything on them. And if you insist on grill marks for something sometime, you can buy the grill grate separately. The flat griddle simply lifts right off (though mine is like 50lbs) and you can set the grill grates on. Easy.

So basically everything a McDonald’s or 5 Guys has.

6 minutes ago, BigEFly said:

So basically everything a McDonald’s or 5 Guys has.

and more of course. 

36 minutes ago, UK Eagle said:

I'm famous in my family for my utter dislike of Lamb - the smell, the taste.... As far as I am concerned, let it baa in a field and provide wool for clothes.

Is someone reading the blog?

 

Not a lamb fan either 

1 hour ago, Uscg-green said:

I feel like I'm alone in that I stay out of politics. I have a sign like this in my living room and I've been criticized.

I think you’re wrong to stay out of politics. This is your life and the lives of others. Commit to making these lives better. Just not here.

1 hour ago, HazletonEagle said:

They are great. I bought mine years ago after @B3 posted about his.

Its great and yet, since then theyve come a long way. 

Mine has an issue with the grease not dripping in to the trap but theyve solved that design flaw.

That one I see has a nice metal cover to better protect the cook surface, but Ive never had an issue with my cloth cover. 

They now come with cabinets underneath. The side burner. The side fryer. None of those things existed back when I got mine. 

They have a lot of good accessories like bacon presses, crepe making kits, egg rings, etc. You can do anything on them. And if you insist on grill marks for something sometime, you can buy the grill grate separately. The flat griddle simply lifts right off (though mine is like 50lbs) and you can set the grill grates on. Easy.

It would be nice to have that, but the way my deck is shaped, I have the perfect configuration for a sectional and fire table and a nook off the side for my grill. I should just buy the flat top attachment for fajitas and breakfast. 

What do you all cook on it?

1 hour ago, Uscg-green said:

I've been doing Orange flavored Vodka but I bet your way is better. 

Totally disagree. Get good vodka and adulterate after you pour it, like a martini. You want orange flavored vodka, infuse it with orange peel in the glass. The aroma is incomparably better and you’re not dealing with a lot of crap additives.

Grand Mariner is probably my absolute favorite liquor.

Just now, justrelax said:

Totally disagree. Get good vodka and adulterate after you pour it, like a martini. You want orange flavored vodka, infuse it with orange peel in the glass. The aroma is incomparably better and you’re not dealing with a lot of crap additives.

I used to go for all the cheesy flavored vodkas, but eventually learned it’s the best way to  pollute a well crafted cocktail.  Vodka is a base.  Mix it with whatever floats your boat.  But the flavored vodkas are no bueno. 

Just now, eagle45 said:

Grand Mariner is probably my absolute favorite liquor.

I prefer Cointreau. Lighter. Grand Marnier is wonderful to be sure. Partial to Chartreuse as well - the green. Those monks could drink.

13 minutes ago, justrelax said:

I think you’re wrong to stay out of politics. This is your life and the lives of others. Commit to making these lives better. Just not here.

Eh I still vote but I uphold the principles of the secret ballot. And I have my political preferences but I don't broadcast them. I've seen friendships and relationships destroyed over the silliest thing. Oh you voted for blank? I hate you! Sad.

3 minutes ago, justrelax said:

I prefer Cointreau. Lighter. Grand Marnier is wonderful to be sure. Partial to Chartreuse as well - the green. Those monks could drink.

IMO they serve different purposes.  Both orange flavored but I dunno if I'd say one's "better" per se (unless you're a weirdo and drinking it straight I guess).

19 minutes ago, ManuManu said:

It would be nice to have that, but the way my deck is shaped, I have the perfect configuration for a sectional and fire table and a nook off the side for my grill. I should just buy the flat top attachment for fajitas and breakfast. 

What do you all cook on it?

Im not a great cook. I do basic stuff. Ive done burgers, dogs, and kielbasa all at once for a big gathering we had. One of my uncles thought I rented it for the party. It worked really well for that.

Ive done pancakes and bacon. And everyone walking by in the neighborhood was loving the smell of bacon in the hood from cooking it outside.

Ive done cheesesteaks. With up to 4 separate heat zones you can do the steak, mushrooms, onions whatever topings you want all at once. 

Have done chicken. Basic BBQ or marinated in italian dressing.

Potatoes. You can do hash browns, home fries, baked.... what I did was slices brushed with olive oil and sea salt get a nice crisped layer on the outside. 

Steaks... filets, and T-bone. Get a nice sear which some people would prefer to grill marks. 

Can do grilled sandwiches. Meatball (all crushed up rather than in ball shape) with melted provolone or scamutz on grilled (with butter) italian bread. Or something like a patty melt...

 

I think thats about all I have tried so far. Im sure some people in here can do a lot more with it.

 

43 minutes ago, justrelax said:

Totally disagree. Get good vodka and adulterate after you pour it, like a martini. You want orange flavored vodka, infuse it with orange peel in the glass. The aroma is incomparably better and you’re not dealing with a lot of crap additives.

No additives if you're infusing the vodka with oranges before mixing, though if you leave the rind on it can impart a bit of a bitter taste.

Anyway, the orange crush is supposed to be very drinkable and refreshing more so than a high end cocktail and the vodka flavor should be pretty much buried under a sea of orange.  No real need to use a high end vodka because all of the orange mixers will overpower it.  I find something like Svedka to be more than adequate.

38 minutes ago, justrelax said:

Totally disagree. Get good vodka and adulterate after you pour it, like a martini. You want orange flavored vodka, infuse it with orange peel in the glass. The aroma is incomparably better and you’re not dealing with a lot of crap additives.

I prefer mine with chocolate