Everyone Cam

BBQ Gods

Last night the BBQ gods were very kind.

It all started out as one of those kinda already late had to run to the store to get hamburger buns BBQs. So I head out and check the tank on the Gas Grill. I lift up its cover and look underneath. Grabbing the top of the tank and lifting, I notice that its a bit light. I'm not sure she can make it through a full on BBQ.

I opt to bring out the big guns. I roll her out of the garage into the sun. As I start to prep the ol' 55 gallon drum grill the skies get a bit darker. Is this a bad Idea I ponder?... no, because in the end it will be all worth it and delecious. *Crack* - the sound of a fresh can of beer opening as I shop vac out the remnants of previous coals from BBQs past.

I head back into the garage for a bag of coal. Kingsford it is. The hand drawn picture of a man BBQing on the bag makes me chuckle as I grab a bottle of lighter fluid too.

At the grill, I form a pile of charcoal - its a bit big I think, but I couldn't leave the spare 10 coals in the bag alone. After a healthy dousing of fluid I give her a light. A brilliant orange flame gets things going... all looks well. I crack another beer.

I come in a short while and notice the flame has died down and the jet black coals begin to grey a bit on the edges like a kind old man respecfully aging. After this beer is gone I come back with another thinking I'll get everything started - but no... what is this, what is happening?

The coals just haven't started. Its getting late and I'm unsure of what to do. At least the beers are still cold *crack*. I spread them out and fan them a bit. They are trying to get going, but they are stubborn for some reason. I go for another round of starter fluid. Fluid on semi warm coals - I gotta play this right. After a light sprinkling and a light from a distance - WOOOSH. They are once again ablaze. Things seem better.

I check them again. They are still reluctanct. I stir them up and fan again. I am sure that they will start. I believe it will happen. Tonight I will BBQ. The wind picks up a bit and after a long long wait and some gentle fanning they have now started. Patience has prevailed. The sun peaks through as to congratulate me on my triumph and patience. I insert my grate and scrub it down. I am now ready.

The coals are RED and ready! The heat is distributed perfectly - its a BBQ nirvana. I crack another beer in my triumph. Soon, its all over. I take in the food and place the grill under my awning just in case of rain. Seconds later the rain poors down. Looking outside at the grill the coals are still roaring proudly. I am proud too. Did the BBQ gods test me? Perhaps. Was my reward one of my best fires to date and perfect timing on a rain storm? Maybe. Did I learn something? Definately. Enjoy the BBQ, all of it - the good and what may seem to be the bad. Take it all in and it will be good to you.

Posted by todd at June 9, 2003 09:36 AM