Northern weather

[healey36]

Gas grills only seem to last 3-4 seasons, gradually rotting out from the water vapor released when burning propane. I keep threatening to go back to charcoal in a kettle-style Weber.

[rogruth]

The only good thing about a gas grill is the quick start.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

....... charcoal in a kettle-style Weber.

It's what I have although the aluminum vanes at the bottom have corroded out.

The metal one that my Grandfather fabricated up at the PA house - weighs way too much -- still works great!

[chuck]

Never understood the point of grilling over gas.

The only good thing about a gas grill is the quick start.

And the quick shutdown and the controlled heat and not having to dispose of the ash and ......

I like both and have both but I only use the charcoal for "special" items. We used to grill lunch every other week at work and I was the grill master. I got so I could start the charcoal up in about 15 minutes with a couple of Weber chimney's. Unfortunately it literally took hours to shut down. I wound up dumping coals in a stainless steel bucket to cool down over night. Gas grill is "safe" after about 20 minutes once you turn it off. I do use hickory/cherry/apple chunks when using the gas grill to get favored smoke. As for the life expectancy, about 10 years is my average on gas units with replacement of the burners about every 5 years. Last grille was "Canadian" and it seems to be holding up well, it might make it to 15 years.

I actually cooked a prime rib roast on the grille one Christmas because the oven thermostat crapped out on Christmas morning just after I did a couple of side dishes. Couldn't microwave so I used the grill with a remote probe to monitor the cooking. I had to keep going out on the deck and adjust the angle of the grille relative to the breeze to keep the temperature constant. The air temp was around 40. Really turned out nice.

[rogruth]

I do think stuff cooked on a wood/charcoal grill tastes better but I don't have patience anymore.

[chuck]

I do think stuff cooked on a wood/charcoal grill tastes better but I don't have patience anymore.

Agreed. Completely. I do all of the cooking. My mom asked me once when I was home from college, "You like to eat?" Yes, I replied. Then you better learn to cook, your wife might not be very good at it. I didn't even have a steady girl friend at the time, she was just speaking in general terms. It turns out she was correct. My wife is not very handy in the kitchen. It's not that she doesn't know how to "cook". She doesn't get preparing meals.

Here's the meat

OK, where's the potatoes/noodles/rice?

I'm still working on that.

OK, where's the vegetables/sides?

They're coming.

So is Christmas!

Not funny!

I am hungry and would like to finish dinner before we get to breakfast.

Really not funny!

She's what I call a serial cooker. Everything tastes fine and it isn't burnt or undercooked, it's just piecemeal (so to speak)

[healey36]

I feel your pain.

One thing I have never adequately learned is the various cuts of beef and pork. She'll send me to the store for a "shoulder roast" or something along those lines. Never can find it. I suspect there are good substitute cuts, but it's a mystery to me.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

I feel your pain.

One thing I have never adequately learned is the various cuts of beef and pork. She'll send me to the store for a "shoulder roast" or something along those lines. Never can find it. I suspect there are good substitute cuts, but it's a mystery to me.

There are some to stay away from that appear to be good on price, but unless you know what you are doing end up akin to shoe leather.

[healey36]

The ceramic slow-cooker is your friend. Those things go a long way toward making any cut palatable (read digestible).

The secret may be in knowing a good butcher. In these days of supermarkets tied to a central distribution center, do butchers even reside at the stores anymore?

[Rufus T. Firefly]

The ceramic slow-cooker is your friend. Those things go a long way toward making any cut palatable (read digestible).

Yes, but even then, some still need a good pounding with an 8 lb hammer.

The secret may be in knowing a good butcher. In these days of supermarkets tied to a central distribution center, do butchers even reside at the stores anymore?

Yes. Rather good one ~ 2 miles from me, or there was. Don't know now. Rarely went there though since it was not approved by my loan officer. To be honest, some of the best looking cuts of meat I've seen in a store this year has been at Costco

[HONDO74]

I feel your pain.

One thing I have never adequately learned is the various cuts of beef and pork. She'll send me to the store for a "shoulder roast" or something along those lines. Never can find it. I suspect there are good substitute cuts, but it's a mystery to me.

I usually just buy a chuck for pot roast Sear both sides of it before I slow cook it.

There is a Price Cutter market about 5 blocks from me that has a butcher shop. Good ANGUS BEEF. I don't buy meat at Walmart

[Rufus T. Firefly]

I feel your pain.

One thing I have never adequately learned is the various cuts of beef and pork. She'll send me to the store for a "shoulder roast" or something along those lines. Never can find it. I suspect there are good substitute cuts, but it's a mystery to me.

I usually just buy a chuck for pot roast Sear both sides of it before I slow cook it.

That'll work - chuck roast can be very versatile. Bottom or top round........meh.

[HONDO74]

I feel your pain.

One thing I have never adequately learned is the various cuts of beef and pork. She'll send me to the store for a "shoulder roast" or something along those lines. Never can find it. I suspect there are good substitute cuts, but it's a mystery to me.

I usually just buy a chuck for pot roast Sear both sides of it before I slow cook it.

That'll work - chuck roast can be very versatile. Bottom or top round........meh.

Works great for beef stew and veggie beef soup. Great for this time of year

[healey36]

I don't buy meat at Walmart

Yup, I would heartily agree with that. I never buy meat or paint on a lower-cost basis.

All good suggestions here...thanks.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

I don't buy meat at Walmart

I don't buy anything there,