Tamblyne wrote:
>
> John O wrote:
>
> >>Absolutely fabulous -- I can't wait to get out of my "panic" mode so I can
> >>actually relax and absorb everything that's there. :-)
> >>
> >
> >
> > It'll take a while...in the meantime, put the screwdrivers up higher, and
> > buy a pork shoulder. They take a while to cook, but they're darn hard to
> > mess up and they taste great. Less filling? I don't think so. You'll be
> > thanking that precious child as you tear apart and eat that first one.
>
> I gave up trying to put things higher when I looked up one day
> and realized he's taller than I am -- and his Dad's shoes are too
> small. I'm hoping that all this aggravation will be repaid
> ten-fold when I'm a little old lady and he's in the NBA -- lol
>
> I still can't figure out why he thought that thing would make
> good parts for his "boat" (ballast tanks, I believe) -- but who
> can know the inner workings of the pre-adolescent mind? <g>
>
> > Buy a bag of lump or natural charcoal, and get a charcoal chimney if you
> > don't already have one. If you have lighter fluid at home, use it for
> > campfires and never let it near your food again. ;-)
>
> We have a Royal Oak plant just a couple of miles from my house --
> I'm hoping I can get the manager to trade me for some of my
> killer breads and cookies.
>
> I have always had trouble getting these lit, but my chimney
> starter was made with a coffee can and I think it just wasn't
> quite "right". I'm hoping if I pick one up, that part of the
> problem will be solved. :-)
>
> Thank you so much for the advice and help -- it is MOST
> appreciated!
>
> And I'm off to the store! Thanks to everyone -- I don't know how
> things are going to turn out, but I definitely know it will be
> fun. And since I've already told The Kid his hands will fall off
> if he touches the new one, I'm sure THAT problem is solved. lmao
>
> Tam

Coffee can starters work just fine, at least the 3# size do. Punch a
series of holes all around the side at the bottom with a good can opener
punch. You'll get nice triangular openings. This is one the side at the
bottom, not on the bottom itself.

Fill with 1 page of newspaper crumpled at the bottom. Place 1 stick of
fatwood broken in half to fit on top of the paper. Fill the rest with
lump charcoal.

Use a Bernzomatic TS4000 torch with MAPP gas to start the paper and get
things going at the bottom. Don't be stingy, point the torch in the
bottom holes and let it cook for a minute to get going good.

Wait 2 minutes for it to settle down and then top off with lump again to
take up the space created when the newspaper burned away. Now get your
leaf blower and with it at idle aim the nozzle at the holes in the base
of the can. Watch for the larger flying sparks, they can burn a hole in
your shirt. Run the leaf blower until the charcoal at the top begins to
get some grayish areas.

The charcoal is now ready to put in the grill. By the time it is in and
spread evenly it will be ready to start cooking on.

Pete C.

PS: This process is particularly spectacular in the evening.