How do you guys do it????

Unknown

With the versatiity of the BGE y'all can direct and indirect grill almost everything......from what I read, you do. But how do you do it almost every night. Seems some are doing it 4-5 times a week! [p]First, even if I left work at 5 pm sharp I wouldn't be home till 6:15-6:30, kids can't wait that long. But more than that don't you get a little bored with the same routine of cleaning out the egg, puttng more coal in, getting the temp correct then cooking for 20 minutes or however long? Even if I use my gas grill for a quick cook I tend to need to walk away from barbeque for a couple of days afterwards. I give y'all credit with using the Egg regardless of rain, snow or heat. But do you find family members tend to want a different taste once in a while? Even my 13 yr old son who loves ribs sometimes gets BBQed out for a couple of weeks. I guess grilling is more of an alternative for me than a "must" to use.[p]Hope everyone on the forum has a happy and healthy New Year. I certainly enjoy and appreciate reading the excellent cooking techniques and recipes each day, I always come here to find BBQ info.[p]Howard

FatDog

Howard,
I understand how one could get a bit too much of a good thing. I cook on my egg about 3 - 4 times per week and do different things each time. For example, I did a pork loin last night and will do another for Saturday's dinner with friends. During a normal week, however, we typically have chicken a couple of times, some beef or pork thing once, and fish (especially salmon) a couple of times. I tend to experiment with different rubs, marinades, etc. so - with the exception of favorites - we get a great variety. Also, the egg is great therapy after a day of teaching high school students. [p]Whatever you do, enjoy yourself. Each of us has our own path.

jake42

Howard,
The versatality of the Egg takes a lot of the monotony out of it. One day I may grill chicken, next time I may roast something, then bake a pizza. There are all kinds of different ways and things to cook on it. My wife also grows tired of it from time to time.
As far as cleaning and preparing the grill that's not a problem for me. It is kinda' therapeutic to me after a long day at work.

mollyshark

Howard,[p]Actually "cleaning" takes about a minute if cleaning is scraping out the ash. Hard-core cleaning only happens once every few months, if that! Once you get the hang of starting, it takes a couple mins to do that and then while it heats up, you go in and get organized, pour a glass of wine, whatever. If I'm in a hurry, I hook up the guru to it and that baby heats up to earth core FAST. When my husband cooks, he does the inside stuff, so there is variety there. But as he says, "I've gotta admit, you've got a way with that thing." Yeah, lol. I do. But there is always the next size jeans. [p]Try it..you'll be hooked.[p]mShark

JM3

Howard,
I agree with you, that sometimes it is hard to get off work and go home and start the fire, cook, and then it is pretty late by the time we eat. I've started involving my children. My ten year old can clean the egg (get the old ash out), add new lump if needed, light the egg, and get it to temp (usually 350). That way, when I get home, the time to the meal is much less. My family prefers the taste of the grilled food to what is cooked in the oven inside. It is more flavorful to them. If yours doesn't, then I would just enjoy the times that you do grill. Don't try and be someone your not. There are a lot of "fanatics" here. The people I work with would tell you I'm one of them :-)
My wife is starting to learn how to grill and has spatchcocked a chicken and done a couple of pork loins. My ten year is the one who actually cuts the backbone out of the chicken. We taught her how and now she wants to be involved. Her little sister (8) is right behind her.
All in all, it is a personal choice though. This is what my family enjoys. We treat the egg like our oven. We still cook a few things inside, but most of the food for dinner is now egged. [p]If you don't think it is worth the effort or time, then cook inside more often and enjoy the times you cook on your egg.[p]John

jake42

JM3,
Could not have said it better.

Sundown

mollyshark,[p]Happy New Year Sweet MollyShark. And, by next size jeans, you mean a size 2?[p]Hehehehehehe.[p]C

Clay Q

Howard,
Well, I have an addiction for BBQ. I'm in therapy but I'm compelled to fire up the egg and smell the smoke. Compulsive Obsessive, Charcoal disorder. Also addicted to delicious food and good times with family and friends.
My wife allows (even encourages) my addiction. Still, I sleep very, very good at night.[p]Ah, Life is good.
Clay Q

thirdeye

Howard,
One of the things I do to save a little time and add variety is marinating ahead of time. I'll mix two or three marinades, portion out a value pack of thighs or several tenderloins, etc. into zipper top bags and add different marinades....let them sit for a couple of hours in the fridge and then freeze them. To thaw, I move a package to the fridge in the morning and by evening it has slow thawed or can be helped along in the microwave. I also bag small portions of marinades in those little snack size bags to use for mopping.

James

Howard,[p]But more than that don't you get a little bored with the same routine of cleaning out the egg, puttng more coal in, getting the temp correct then cooking for 20 minutes or however long?[p]No[p][p]
But do you find family members tend to want a different taste once in a while? [p]No[p]

tn slagamater

Howard, the difference in taste between a dish cooked in the Egg and the same meal cooked in the oven or on a gas grill is considerable. The Egg's food tastes a lot better and is much more moist. Since the Egg is as easy to to use and heats up just as fast as the other options, it gets the cooking job every time.

Mike in MN

Howard,
There's the alternative.... Pizza delivery, McDonalds, Chinese takeout, boxed frozen TV dinners (does that date me?)[p]You have to "want" to cook like this. It's not a burden. It's personal satisfaction.... and hopefully the kids and mom go "oooooo, ahhhhh, ummmm, that's good." Usually my household is a zoo until feeding time, then it gets darn quiet for a short period of time while the group feeds... then it's back to the zoo atmosphere. Hopefully the opinions after the meal are positive...that gives us more encouragement to go through the labor of love the following night. [p]Mike in MN