Wednesday Roll Call

Hello everyone

I hear the people up north are expecting lots of snow this Friday.  We are only getting 1-2 inches....one more good thing about living away from the city.  I guess there some things I miss and some things I'm thankful for.  This is one of them...without lake effect snow we don't get as much.

Amanda's schedule changed and now we both have Saturdays off.  This is great.  We can plan to do things together more often. 

Sometime in the Spring I will be buying a grill.  I like the ease of a gas grill but I love the taste a regular charcoal grill gives the food...what do you guys think???  I would have to learn to grill first of course.

I have nothing going on till the end of the week.  What's going on with you guys.

Have great day...see ya later...bye.

god morning,

There are pros and cons about both.  I agree with you, charcoal taste better, but gas is greener.With gas, you just turn it on, and the flame is there, with charcoal, you need to light it, and use starter. I think we use them both about the same.

Today is the last day for better weather. Now it is to get cold and snow.

Heading to a train show this Sunday in Schuamburg, sounds like fun.

Hugs,
LISA

Hair apt after work for me, then to a wake and home to do whatever I fancy.

We have a small Weber gas grill which is one of those that you connect the small canisters to. It can maybe fit 6-8 pieces of meat on the grate. Fine for us. We also have a large red kettle Weber - charcoal that we use at times. We have an electric wand starter and do not use the stinky fluid. We also have a Weber gas grill with wheels and side table areas that we have not used yet. We got it with bonus points from United Air Lines. We have not used up our small canisters of fuel yet as we hardly grilled last summer. We will eventually buy one of the large replaceble propane canisters that you can get at Lowes or Home Depot but that will be later this year.

I have heard anywhere btwn 4-6" of white stuff in the NW 'burbs. I go on the NOAH weather website and it says 3-5. They are a reliable weather source from NOAH weather so I am believing them.

So how does that work????  If you get one of those wands you don't have to use any starter fluid at all?  How much of a hassle are the charcoal grills?  Also when buying the gas grills does the propane tank come with it?  If not how much does it cost to buy one?  As you can see I know nothing about grills...

Okay, I will send you the link via PM as to what the wand is because of OH TOS. They are not expensive and are under $20.  We have had several of them over the last 30-35 + years because they do stop working because it is basically a "burn out"  with the element of the wand especially if you use it a lot. No, No, No fluid as it is not necessary and it will explode. How does it work = it is like a coil in the oven. It is looped for about 8-10" and is about 3" wide. It has a hard plastic handle with an electric cord attachedto an about 6' cord. You might need a heavy duty orange electric cord to connect to the outlet. Remember this is far more safer for the enviroment and your health with no carcinogins (sp?) - yeah,  okay they are there with the birketts burning. You place that under a pile of charcoal briketts and heat it for the recommended time frame (about 8 minutes or what the instructions say) and then you pull the wand out and unplug it (place on a hard surface that can withstand heat like concrete or asphalt). The charcoal will continue to get red hot and you can add more briketts if necessary making sure that it that you have the size cooking area that you need.

Before anyone says that it is OH SO DANGEROUS! Dave is an electrical engineer and he does not use anything else but this for igniting his charcoal briketts as it is far more efficient and less stinky with the fluid.

No the gas grills do not come with the propane tanks. You will have to shop around for what the original cost is for a tank (large) and what the replacement cost is. It varies. I have found 7/11 for good values for one part of the equation and Home Depot for more expensive costs for the refill/other of the tank. One thing about many of the places is that you do not have to go inside to the store after they close to exchange a tank because it is a 24 hr operation on the outside of the store (safety)  (Home Depot or Lowes). Now, with cost of the tanks or the replacements you have to go with how far are you driving to get the good dollar value and what is the gas/wear and tear is on your car. Keep in mind that you are one person and will be cooking for yourself and Amanda/Charles. You more than likely will not go through a large tank . . . during a season/yea depending on the size of the grill. I would highly recommend that you find a "dial" that reads what your levels are on your tank. You can find them in the gadget catalogs that "find" their way to your house.

We will "learn" ya.

I think that I have told you everything that you asked. I will send you the link. If anyone else wants the link then just send me a PM.

 Evening Everyone!

It has been a long week for me so far.  I have my tail dragging between my legs.  I am so tired when I get home from work that all I want to do is to go to sleep.  I still have no voice.  I start out the day with a bit of a voice but by the end of the day I can barely talk.  I dont know when I will get over this mess.  I hate to take more time off work.  

We have a storm warning with 4-6 inches or more of snow posted starting tonight.  Also strong winds to create a lot of blowing and drifting which happens a lot around here --- fun -- NOT!  

Crystal, I have always used a charcoal grill.  I have an electric starter as well.  The disadvantage of charcoal is that you have to take time to get the coals warm.  The starter stays in about 10 minutes and it takes another half hour until your coals are ready to cook.  It is not hard to grill.  I love the charcoal flavor and I would definitely get a kettle style grill if you go charcoal.  You really need a lid to control the fire.   Gas heats up instantly but there is not the flavor.  

Christine, I am glad you got such great news at the doctor yesterday!  That just proves to trust your gut!  Only you know your body the best. 

Lisa & Dawn, please be careful as you are out driving in this lovely weather.  I hope it is not too bad for you tomorrow.

Everyone have a great evening. 

Hello all of Illinois!
Up here is Gurnee, we are expecting 4-8 inches.  I love the wide range!  Kinda like the cable man: between 12-4!!
This has been a hard week physically.  I am so tired! Not sure why.  I am sure it is due to getting back into the full swing after being off for 2 weeks. 
So after work today, my hubby and decided to put the snow plow in the front of the garage.  It is so sad in the garage, all the bikes are hanging up- away for the winter!! 
Well I am off to bed!  Take care and drive safe tomorrow!
Debbie

We use charcoal but we use the "chimney" to start our coals.  The "chimney" is a steel (or aluminum) tube with a handle.  I got mine at Menard's, but you can get them anywhere that charcoal is sold.  Avout $ 7.00....less than 2 cans of fluid.

There are holes in the bottom and a grate about 1/3 of the way from the bottom.  You fill the top 2/3 with coal and crumple up newpaper into the bottom and light the newspaper, which lights the coals.  After about 10-15 minutes, the coals are red hot and ready to cook.  If you need more for a bigger cooking job, you just add them after you dump them into the grill.

My best friend's father showed me this when I was a kid and I finally persuaded Todd to try it and we love it.  No need for electricity so it is good for camping too!  No stinky fluid and a way to use our old newspaper.  We are always looking for "green" ways to do things.