There's always a first time....I did it!

Monday, April 7, 2008

First time? Did what? Got you curious? LOL! Well, some of you may remember my blog about grills some time back....being back in a campground where everyone loves to torture me with the smells of cooking got me thinking about a grill again. Now that I have the back of the car for extra storage. So I ordered the Coleman Campers Grill from Wal-Mart and had it shipped directly here.

Some assembly required....oh, boy. Well it was easy except that I couldn't get it to light...rather than get frustrated (actually I was), I let it sit another couple of days. Decided that maybe the propane bottle was empty....I've had that happen, had one go dry (or bought it that way). So today I picked up another bottle, determined to try it out. The hamburger I had thawed out to cook previously was ready and waiting.

I swapped out the bottle, tried it again. Nothing. Took the new bottle off...heard it POP and smelled a little whiff of propane. Okay...now it's just that things are new. Screwed it back on....tried again....it lit....it went out....it lit....it went out....it lit and I twisted my arm unnaturally backwards pushing in on the regulator knob as I twisted it to high. Talk about awkward...first you have to do two things with the left hand to get the stupid butane torch to light (they seriously need a line of NON-childproof lighters for us seniors), then you get to do two things with the right while you anxiously watch for the burner to light and alternately pray that it doesn't explode in your face (did I mention that I don't like flames or gas? LOL!).

But I did it....well, at least got the grill lit. Now to the second first, I cooked my hamburger. Yup, that was a first for me....I've never grilled (propane OR charcoal). That was always the male domain. Burger was done perfectly and a sense of accomplishment accompanied my full stomach.

Of course then I realized I was going to have to clean the grate....there HAS to be an easier way than trying to clean it in the little kitchen sink. Jeesh! Not going to work well when boondocking...I know my late husband just left it after cooking and then burned it off when he heated the grill the second time. That might have been okay in a stix & brix world, but carrying a dirty grill around in the back of my car doesn't hold much thrill for me.

Oh well...here are some photos of my car, my new little metal frog for beside my step, my dinner grilling and some of the wildlife that I've managed to snag in photos. Enjoy!





Till next time - keep on rollin',
Froggi/Donna

5 comments:

  1. Yeah, grills can be a pain in the butt. About the only thing I cook on mine is salmon wrapped in foil. Just throw the foil away. No mess. Not great for the environment, but look at all the water and soap I save. I guess it all works out even in the end.
    Cute car!!

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  2. Did you know that you can buy (probably from Camping World & other places) a hose that lets you connect one of the refillable propane bottles to a grill that is made for the disposable bottles? And they have refillable tanks that are smaller than those standard 5-gal ones so are easier to carry & haul around. Get one of those, then just keep a disposable as a backup if the other runs out when you need to use it.

    Have you cropped your bird photos or are you able to get those full framed photos with your camera system?

    My Pat is a collector of toad things but also has some frogs. I'll try to get some photos of the yard ones, if it ever quite raining.

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  3. You will have to let us know how that little grill does with chicken, especially drumsticks & thighs. I just can't seem to get decent chicken from the grills I've had - from the big one to the little one and they have all had tops that close which the one you just got doesn't have. I just don't seem to be able to turn them down low enough to decently cook the chicken and get it done in the middle and not burn the outside.

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  4. Congrats on the new grill! Try the "Pam for Grilling" spray to make it easier to clean the grill. I didn't get a good look at your car the other night, so thanks for posting the pics. See ya down the road!

    Ellie

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  5. Since my recent diet has been mostly salads and green things, the grill has been ballast. Grilled marinated chicken sounds like a good alternative.

    Thanks for whetting the appetite.

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