Our remodel meant that a pretty sizable Azalea bush in our yard had to go. My Mom couldn’t stand to see it get discarded so she came over in 100 °F heat and we dug it up to go live at her house. She’s a true tree hugger!
Outdoor Burner
Here is a scenario. You are doing a brisket on your Big Green Egg. It’s a weekend, and the meat will be smoking on the grill pretty much all day (and possibly all night). You aren’t going to serve just any barbecue sauce with it, you make your own. This requires you to simmer the sauce for hours. The longer the better. The brisket, and you, are outside having a nice day probably with a good beer. Where is your sauce? Inside on the stove? Total buzzkill. This is where you need an outdoor burner.
When I got my Double Big Green Egg table I knew I wanted to do a full meal outside, from prep all the way to eating. While I love my grills, there are some things that you need a burner for. Last year I picked up one of these Max Burton Pro Chef 1800 units from Kitchen Window and it’s worked out great.
Why get this unit?
- This is a commercial unit and it is built well. I feel comfortable with moving it in and out of storage and not needing to be overly gentle with it. (Note, it is only outside when in use. Otherwise it’s stored inside.)
- The unit is very easy to clean. The cook surface is a flat glass plate that just wipes down. The touch sensitive control surface is easily wiped down as well. When grilling my hands get dirty and this unit gets dirty.
- I wanted a burner I could dial into a temperature, and this one can do that. If simmering a sauce I want to just punch in a temp and not think about it. Easy.
I’ve been really happy with it for everything from cooking pancakes for a brunch on the grill to simmering sauces or boiling some water for carrots. The only job I found it challenged by was boiling a huge kettle of water to cook corn in. It just didn’t have enough power to deal with 3 gallons of water. But really, the corn should be grilled anyway.
Inside Job
I finally got a chance to watch Inside Job tonight. Wow. Very good documentary on the financial collapse. For those that have read a bit about the issue the recap of CDO’s and Swaps will be redundant, but it’s not much. The skewering of the ratings agencies and the economic profession is pointed.
Wonder if Eddie Vedder’s next album will be “Recorder Songs”. Maybe “Kazoo Songs” instead.
My daughter is alternating between an absolute angel and a demon with sharpened horns and fangs. Trick is figuring out which, when.
Twins Fan Tyler
Tyler did his best to try and help our last place team. Doesn’t seem to have had much effect yet.
Memorial Day Grilling
Memorial Day is required grilling in my book. I did the entire meal outside. Simple burgers, asparagus, carrots and grilled romaine hearts. Delicious.
Mazie In Tree
Mazie’s kindergarten class had a picnic at the Rose Garden by Lake Harriet. She decided to do a little tree climbing while we were there.
We just hired Quartersawn as the general contractor to do a house project. Upon signing the agreement every friend of mine feels compelled to share every horror story they’ve ever heard about how horrible general contractors and home remodeling projects can be. Thanks! 😀