But.....the big "gadget" I really outgrew is worrying about shit.......I realize that's knd of vague & wide-ranging, but hey....... That single element ruins more BBQ than anything......just look thru any post, any forum where someones having trouble with really anything & 'worry' is the central "X" factor......There's some mechanical things.....but I have to think about them first.......
I gave up trying to keep my go-to cooker clean. I'm lucky if I remember to empty the ash bucket - usually when I can't sweep any more ash down the OT slots. Once it cools off the cover goes on and I don't bother with the ash or salvageable charcoal until I'm ready to fire it up again. As much as I like a pristine looking grill, there's a certain liberation in just using the hell out of a grill (for me it's a Performer) and not giving a second thought to how it looks. I suppose I'll clean it up again someday, but I won't lose any sleep if that day is next month or next year. Weber made these things to be well used and well loved. Reminds me of a bicycle company I respect for many of the same reasons. (Rivendell) They have a word for it that I think applies to our sport: "Beausage" = a special kind of beauty that can only come from usage. So put down the razor-scrapers and steel wool for at least one of your kettles. You'll make just as many memories with it, and it might just become the one people remember you by.
For me the performer gas assist. I thought it would be cool but I like to sit out on my patio with a beer waiting for the coals. My patio gets entirely too smokey using the gas assist. I would rather start a chimney away from the grill and bring it over when its ready. As for the rest of it, I LOVE gadgets!! Rib-o-lator, rotisserie, kettle pizza....etc. Bring em all on! I could spend the whole day tinkering around and trying out new gadgets. Most of the time there is a bit of a learning curve, that's probably what I like about them most. I still cook without gadgets most of the time, but I do enjoy using them too.
I outgrew many things, but I never get rid of any thing. There is always an alternate use for gadgets other than what they were intended for. For exampleThis pizza grill became a spit stand to load on the meatTook these legs from old cookie cooling racks to make hovering gratesOld car jacks make perfect Rotisserie stands That’s why I keep old tools and gadgets, there are endless things that I can do with them
I like your style! Thanks for posting these ideas. I'll make that steamer ring work on something if it kills me!
Quote from: swamprb on January 27, 2015, 03:50:50 PMI like your style! Thanks for posting these ideas. I'll make that steamer ring work on something if it kills me!Weren't you the one that didn't like the steamer ring to start with?