First BBQ

[MaxFects]

So throwing first and very small bbq with girlfriend. She borrowed a small 21 inch grill from her dad. I need some help on the whole process. If we're expecting max of 12 people, how much coal would I need to cook enough for everyone. Im saving for summer vacation so can't spend too much, just thinking burgers, dogs, and chicken. Any pointers to help prep?

[penguinz]

Go to costco and pick up some lump charcoal. 4 bags would be more than enough and would be less than $30.

[sedated]

that's not technically a "BBQ".

its a "cookout".

[penguinz]

that's not technically a "BBQ".

its a "cookout".
If you have a bottle of KC Masterpiece it then becomes a BBQ! ;)

[Donger]

Don't make anyone sick.

[sedated]

If you have a bottle of KC Masterpiece it then becomes a BBQ! ;)

no, then it becomes dessert

[Demonpenz]

Sounds like a good bbq

[Fire Me Boy!]

that's not technically a "BBQ".

its a "cookout".

x2.

[Dartgod]

You've never cooked over a fire before? :shake:

Hand over your man card pronto.

[wutamess]

This doesn't sound like it's going to turn out well if you're asking how much coal you need.

Ever thought about catering?

[wutamess]

Futhermore, $30 should get you everything you need for charcoal & food.

[StcChief]

depending on what your cooking be cautioned about the amount of Charcoal.. Get metal chimney to heat up charcoal.

[Fire Me Boy!]

This doesn't sound like it's going to turn out well if you're asking how much coal you need.

Ever thought about catering?

x2.

[Pablo]

Just get yourself an $8 bag of Kingsford charcoal and call it good.

I don't know how much they weigh, but I'm sure 25 lbs. or so of charcoal will definitely suit your needs. And I'm not advising you use the whole bag. But you'll definitely have more than enough for quite a few cookouts. Just use enough briquets that they actually cover the bottom and you can distribute even heat. You don't need to pile it on to the hilt. There are metal tube like devices you can dump a pre-determined amount of charcoal in to heat it up.

I advise you buy a few 30 packs as well, so if your food sucks nobody will care because they're buzzed.

As for the chicken, chicken breasts are expensive. Buy drumsticks and thighs, more flavor anyhow and loads cheaper. If for some reason you must have white meat, get those frozen chicken breast packages. The WalMart variety that has like 10 "breasts" in the frozen section for like $7.

[wutamess]

To answer your question: 1 big bag of charcoal will be more than enough.
Don't get the coals too close to the grilling part. if you keep the spouts open on the top or bottom of the grill more air will get through increasing heat and possibly keeping flames.

If you get flames... try to avoid throwing water on them. if you can... put the lid on and the flames should go out. Othrwise, you could water down your coals and put out the heat.

[MaxFects]

Better to burn food then get people sick right :)

[MaxFects]

You've never cooked over a fire before? :shake:

Hand over your man card pronto.

:(

I've always helped out. Never worn the apron though.

[Pablo]

And don't listen to the BBQ aficionados in this thread telling you cater it and "it's not called BBQ." It's a cookout, but if you want to call it a BBQ, BFD. You're a man. You should have some basic instincts for cooking over fire built into your DNA.

Everyone has to try it for the first time, hope it all goes well.

[rad]

You've never cooked over a fire before? :shake:

Hand over your man card pronto.

Ever think maybe the kid hasn't even earned it yet?

Don't be so quick to judge, sheesh. Help the young Padawan.

[sedated]

marinate the chicken. for f*cks sake I can't count the number of times people have served bare-ass white plain dry chicken. even something simple like italian dressing and worstershersire sauce.

but at least you are using a gas grill. the smoke should provide some flavor.

(gas grills are for fuqtards)

[Boon]

......If we're expecting max of 12 people, how much coal would I need to cook enough for everyone...... Any pointers to help prep?

Bituminous or anthracite?

Powder River Basin is going for about $14/ton.........don't think you'll need that much though!

[MaxFects]

great tips, really glad I asked

[Pablo]

marinate the chicken. for f*cks sake I can't count the number of times people have served bare-ass white plain dry chicken. even something simple like italian dressing and worstershersire sauce.

but at least you are using a gas grill. the smoke should provide some flavor.

(gas grills are for fuqtards)Gas grills are for people who live in apartment complexes and can't have a charcoal grill due to lease stipulations. And for people who want/need to cook a ton of food really fast.

As for the chicken, yes marinate it. I use a little soy, teriyaki, italian, and a splash of lemon. Works out alright.

[Fire Me Boy!]

And don't listen to the BBQ aficionados in this thread telling you cater it and "it's not called BBQ." It's a cookout, but if you want to call it a BBQ, BFD. You're a man. You should have some basic instincts for cooking over fire built into your DNA.

Everyone has to try it for the first time, hope it all goes well.

Quite seriously, I agree with most of GR's post, and I'd echo good luck.

However, I'm a stickler for "BBQ" being "BBQ" and not grilling. What you're doing is grilling. BBQ is low and slow.

[Dartgod]

Ever think maybe the kid hasn't even earned it yet?

Don't be so quick to judge, sheesh. Help the young Padawan.
Are you new here?

[Pablo]

Quite seriously, I agree with most of GR's post, and I'd echo good luck.

However, I'm a stickler for "BBQ" being "BBQ" and not grilling. What you're doing is grilling. BBQ is low and slow.This is true, but he's calling the event a BBQ. He's saying I'm having a BBQ, as opposed to I'm barbecuing, or I'm cooking some BBQ.

It doesn't really bother me because I've heard it called both ways my entire life. BBQ, cookout...I just expect hamburgers, chicken, brats, etc.

Unless it is specified there will be brisket, or pulled pork or something of that nature I just assume the terms are interchangeable in these parts.

FTR, I use the term "grilling out", but that's me.

[sedated]

Gas grills are for people who live in apartment complexes and can't have a charcoal grill due to lease stipulations. And for people who want/need to cook a ton of food really fast.

then they should skip the grill and cook it on a foreman.

[Simply Red]

can i go?

[sedated]

I just assume the terms are interchangeable in these parts.

maybe where you come from, yankee.

[Pablo]

then they should skip the grill and cook it on a foreman.Or just soak hickory chips in water then make tin-foil packets and place them over the propane outlets. It's not the same, but it makes it a little better.

[Demonpenz]

BBQ means open flame and meat.

[Pablo]

maybe where you come from, yankee.I suppose the 60 mile gap that separates you and I must have entirely different dialects and figures of speech.

[Simply Red]

May I come?

[Pablo]

May I come?Yes, just make sure you have the kleenex ready. No more sticky messes on the bathroom floor please.

[Demonpenz]

I remember my last bbq we had hot dogs and braughts it was easy to fire up!

[Baby Lee]

Or just soak hickory chips in water then make tin-foil packets and place them over the propane outlets. It's not the same, but it makes it a little better.

I got the little cast iron chip drawer. I'm set.

Seriously though, though there is a difference between BBQ and grilling, there is a lot of skillz to be displayed in either. I'm quite proud of the vast array of delictibles I can conjure over hot lava rocks.

[Pablo]

I got the little cast iron chip drawer. I'm set.Where did you buy that at?

[Fire Me Boy!]

Where did you buy that at?

I got one a long time ago at ACE. Lowe's should also have them.

[Simply Red]

I will bring something Maxfexts

[sedated]

open flame and meat.

party at Will and Grace's house

NTTAWWT

[Simply Red]

I got one a long time ago at ACE. Lowe's should also have them.

ace?

[Fire Me Boy!]

ace?

ACE Hardware. You know... John Madden's place.

[Simply Red]

I'm going to have a party soon too. I know lots of fans. I love the chiefs

[booyaf2]

So throwing first and very small bbq with girlfriend. She borrowed a small 21 inch grill from her dad. I need some help on the whole process. If we're expecting max of 12 people, how much coal would I need to cook enough for everyone. Im saving for summer vacation so can't spend too much, just thinking burgers, dogs, and chicken. Any pointers to help prep?

Seriously, just go buy yourself a small 10lb bag of kingsford, that will be plenty of charcoal for one cookout for 12 people. Whatever you do, leave the lighter fluid on the shelf, it'll ruin a good burger. Go to kingsford's website and look thru their tips. its all there. Hell i think its on the back of the bag. Just read it and memorize it before the party so you don't look like a midnight vulture.

Carry on.

[sedated]

leave the lighter fluid on the shelf

newspaper

[Fire Me Boy!]

newspaper

And a chimney. Don't waste your money on the ones at Wal-Mart. I've used three or four before I bought a Weber (sold, again, at ACE)... going back, I'd buy the Weber to begin with. Believe me, chimney starters are NOT all created equal.

[Simply Red]

newspaper

do u smoke pot?

[sedated]

do u smoke pot?

never heard of it

[Simply Red]

never heard of it

Do you live near kansas?

[Simply Red]

never heard of it

I noticed you're pic. of bart simpson smoking a maryjuana ciggy.

[Simply Red]

How do I start a thread?

[Simply Red]

And a chimney. Don't waste your money on the ones at Wal-Mart. I've used three or four before I bought a Weber (sold, again, at ACE)... going back, I'd buy the Weber to begin with. Believe me, chimney starters are NOT all created equal.

who woud cook in a chimney?

[Baby Lee]

Where did you buy that at?

Mine's by Char-Broil - picked it up at Cargo Largo, but I'm sure you can find them in most HW stores.

http://www.charbroil.com/bps/char-broil/char-broil/product/images/1_1_2184804_small.jpg

[Pablo]

I noticed you're pic. of bart simpson smoking a maryjuana ciggy.C'mon that's homer. And he's wearing a Chiefs shirt, as in a Chief's "homer".

[Demonpenz]

party at Will and Grace's house

NTTAWWT

what did you think of the season finale?

[StcChief]

who woud cook in a chimney?it's for lighting charcoal to heat up faster together. before spreading it out....

You cook at all?

[Baby Lee]

who woud cook in a chimney?

A chimney [and NOT a chiminea, if that's what you're envisioning] is just a way to get air moving through the charcoal quickly to get them burning strong in a short amount of time. It's a can that's open on top, and that doesn't let the coals go all the way to the bottom. At the bottom are air holes, so the heat from the stacked and lit coals will draw air up under, through, and out the top, getting the party started quicker.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41PC0JD1DFL._SL500_AA280_.jpg

[sedated]

How do I start a thread?

a fast candidate for the ignore function.

[Simply Red]

a fast candidate for the ignore function.

Well, I LOVE YOU TO

[Simply Red]

it's for lighting charcoal to heat up faster together. before spreading it out....

You cook at all?

no my girl will from time to time.

She made shit on the shingles last night.

[Monty]

There are metal tube like devices you can dump a pre-determined amount of charcoal in to heat it up.


Heh. Next week on the Food Network: Outdoor Grilling with Bill Nye the Science Guy.

[R&GHomer]

If you have never grilled out and are planning on making chicken. I strongly urge you to use legs and thighs and boil them first. Spice up the water with whatever you want and onions. Boil until the skin starts to want to pull back off the meat. Cool it down for a few minutes spice it up and throw some bbq sauce on it. Put it on the grill and let it firm up for a few minutes. I cook chicken on the grill raw too, but it's taken me a while to figure that one out. Tell you the truth, boiling it first makes the chicken taste better IMHO. just my two cents.

[Simply Red]

im sure bobby fillet will be proud of you pros

[Bugeater]

Seriously, just go buy yourself a small 10lb bag of kingsford, that will be plenty of charcoal for one cookout for 12 people. Whatever you do, leave the lighter fluid on the shelf, it'll ruin a good burger. Go to kingsford's website and look thru their tips. its all there. Hell i think its on the back of the bag. Just read it and memorize it before the party so you don't look like a midnight vulture.

Carry on.
What the hell are you talking about?

[Pablo]

What the hell are you talking about?The lighter fluid taste can permeate the meat while cooking and give you a not so pleasant taste. Especially if your fire is dying and you make the oh so common mistake of squirting a little lighter fluid on to give your coals some pep.

[Skip Towne]

How do I start a thread?

You don't, n00b.

[Simply Red]

What the hell are you talking about?

ru dumb?

[Simply Red]

You don't, n00b.

why is eveybody so mean, I cam e here to talk about chiefs football and all I see is food shit everywhere.

[Bugeater]

The lighter fluid taste can permeate the meat while cooking and give you a not so pleasant taste. Especially if your fire is dying and you make the oh so common mistake of squirting a little lighter fluid on to give your coals some pep.

I've always used lighter fluid and have never noticed that. I do know better than to put more on after it's going. What are you supposed to use then, gasoline?

[Pablo]

why is eveybody so mean, I cam e here to talk about chiefs football and all I see is food shit everywhere.Haha. It's the offseason, you won't find much football talk for at least another month. There will be some for training camp and such, but this is what CP is right now.

Food, Poop, Sex, Racism. All the best topics you can think of.

[StcChief]

why is eveybody so mean, I cam e here to talk about chiefs football and all I see is food shit everywhere.
who are these mythical Chiefs you speak of? .... this is the off season n00b.

TC is a few weeks away.:p

[R&GHomer]

I've always used lighter fluid and have never noticed that. I do know better than to put more on after it's going. What are you supposed to use then, gasoline?

I use lighter fluid all the time. I think people just use to much of it, or let it soak in to long. I make my pyramid squirt a little on the out side but the real trick is to put just enough on the center bottom ones in the middle of the pyramid, just shoot straight through it from the top. Wait about three minutes and fire it up. I never have the tast of fluid on my meat.... and yes I worded it that way on purpose children.

[Pablo]

I use lighter fluid all the time. I think people just use to much of it, or let it soak in to long. I make my pyramid squirt a little on the out side but the real trick is to put just enough on the center bottom ones in the middle of the pyramid, just shoot straight through it from the top. Wait about three minutes and fire it up. I never have the tast of fluid on my meat.... and yes I worded it that way on purpose children.This is true. I think many people get in the habit of dousing their charcoal in the stuff. Just soaking it and soaking it, and it leaves a strong flavor.

That Kingsford Matchlight stuff is a pretty good option if you don't want to mess with the lighter fluid aspect.

[booyaf2]

I use lighter fluid all the time. I think people just use to much of it, or let it soak in to long. I make my pyramid squirt a little on the out side but the real trick is to put just enough on the center bottom ones in the middle of the pyramid, just shoot straight through it from the top. Wait about three minutes and fire it up. I never have the tast of fluid on my meat.... and yes I worded it that way on purpose children.

I just never chance it. I use newspaper, or paper towels with a shot of cooking spray on it. would rather ingest that than lighter fluid. To each their own. Just figured since he was a beginner, he didn't need to be soaking down the coals with lighter fluid.

[R&GHomer]

I just never chance it. I use newspaper, or paper towels with a shot of cooking spray on it. would rather ingest that than lighter fluid. To each their own. Just figured since he was a beginner, he didn't need to be soaking down the coals with lighter fluid.

Oh I here ya. Using a Chimney is the best route to go for a novice. I have one but I hardly use it because it’s too small.

[Bugeater]

This is true. I think many people get in the habit of dousing their charcoal in the stuff. Just soaking it and soaking it, and it leaves a strong flavor.

That Kingsford Matchlight stuff is a pretty good option if you don't want to mess with the lighter fluid aspect.
I'm fairly certain it says right on the bag not to let it soak in, as long as you don't use too much and light it right away it's fine.

I just never chance it. I use newspaper, or paper towels with a shot of cooking spray on it. would rather ingest that than lighter fluid. To each their own. Just figured since he was a beginner, he didn't need to be soaking down the coals with lighter fluid.

You don't think burning newspaper puts off any toxic chemicals? Not to mention that sounds like a complete pain in the ass.

[penguinz]

I'm fairly certain it says right on the bag not to let it soak in, as long as you don't use too much and light it right away it's fine.



You don't think burning newspaper puts off any toxic chemicals? Not to mention that sounds like a complete pain in the ass.
Using lighter fluid is much more a pain in the ass. Not to mention more dangerous and unhealthy.

[Demonpenz]

I want my bloody steak and cheese burger toxin free 2003!

[Stewie]

A 21" grill for 12 people? That's less the 1/2" per person. Cook the dogs vertically.

[Boon]

Using lighter fluid is much more a pain in the ass. Not to mention more dangerous and unhealthy.

And more expensive.

["Bob" Dobbs]

C'mon that's homer. And he's wearing a Chiefs shirt, as in a Chief's "homer".
AND he's stoned. MUST be a Chiefs homer.

[penguinz]

A 21" grill for 12 people? That's less the 1/2" per person. Cook the dogs vertically.
You don;t line them up end to end.

[tyton75]

If you are still even reading this... DON"T try to cook chicken your first time out... you'll either cook it to a hockeypuck consistency.. or it will still be raw in the middle

stick to burgers and dogs.. maybe throw some brats in.. those are easy too...

get kingsford... and its not the end of the world to use lighter fluid.. just light it up and get it hot, make sure the coals are mostly grey before putting food on, that will ensure the lighter fluid flavor is burned off.. and just cook it up.. no biggie

good luck

[sedated]

maybe throw some brats in.. those are easy too...


you think brats are easier to cook than chicken?

[Skip Towne]

I have one but I hardly use it because it’s too small.
That's what your wife said.

[Bugeater]

Using lighter fluid is much more a pain in the ass. Not to mention more dangerous and unhealthy.
You put in on, light it and walk away, it couldn't be any easier. Crumpling up a bunch of newspaper and trying to get it all going evenly sounds way more difficult, but I could be wrong as I've never tried it.

And removing danger from the equation would take all of the fun out of it. :p

[sedated]

And removing danger from the equation would take all of the fun out of it. :p

you always want to include the risk of burning your shirt

[MaxFects]

How long does it take to get hot with some lighter fluid usually?

[Bugeater]

you always want to include the risk of burning your shirt
:cuss:


How long does it take to get hot with some lighter fluid usually?

15-20 mins.

[Pablo]

I reiterate. Buy beer. The drunker your friends are, the better your food will taste.

[Skip Towne]

Grilling is so easy a caveman could do it.

[DaFace]

why is eveybody so mean, I cam e here to talk about chiefs football and all I see is food shit everywhere.

C'mon...if you're gonna use a dup account, at least make it interesting.

[KcMizzou]

How long does it take to get hot with some lighter fluid usually?After you add the lighter fluid, though... let it soak for two beers before lighting. No more, no less.

Been a family rule for years. :)

[Skip Towne]

C'mon...if you're gonna use a dup account, at least make it interesting.

Which dumbass is it?