"John Kuthe" > wrote in message
...
> On May 23, 7:15 pm, "Zeppo" > wrote:
>> > I used to use a Smokey Joe for years. Yeah, mine had the real wood
>> > handle too. And it had adjustable louvers top and bottom just like the
>> > bigger Weber kettles, but unlike this full sized one the Smokey Joe
>> > louver adjustment was outside the kettle wall metal. Made a whole lot
>> > better send to me too than the "ash sweeper" adjuster on this full
>> > sized kettle.
>>
>> > John Kuthe...
>>
>> I have one the kids got me for my birthday last year that I only used
>> once,
>> without much success. I couldn't keep the charcoal burning long enough to
>> grill a couple of strip steaks. I meant to do some research to figure out
>> what I was doing wrong but never got to it. It's just easier to fire up
>> the
>> gas Weber.
>>
>> Jon
>
> Did you have the bottom vents closed? I'm assuming for strip steaks
> you'd have the lid off the Smokey Joe for grilling them. But
> still...maybe it was the charcoal.
>
> OBCooking/Food: I just had some of the ribs I'd cooked using my too-
> hot Weber with wide open bottom vents/louvers and they ROCK! Too much
> garlic, if there is such a thing though. Just before removing from the
> Weber I dribble-basted them with bourbon and let the alcohol cook off
> before putting the ribs in a foil pan, covering with some BBQ sauce
> thinned with a little wine (to rinse out the BBQ sauce bottle), and
> then minced too much garlic on them, covered and baked at 275 for 1.5
> hours. Mmmmmmmm!!!! :-)
>
>
> John Kuthe..

The ribs sound wonderful. No such thing as too much garlic.

I have the Smokey Joe Silver, not the tuck and carry. I'm pretty sure the
vents were wide open, so It might have been the charcoal. I'm really out of
practice using a charcoal grill and I've never used one so small. I started
them in a charcoal chimney filled to the top, and dumped them into the grill
when they were pretty much grey all over. The first side went well, but it
seems like fat and juices dripping off the steaks put out the charcoal. The
second side never got a char. Course, this was almost a year ago so I can't
be sure I'm remembering it right.

Jon