Smoke That Coconut

Just saw Coconut Charcoal offered at the Whole Foods Market andhad to find out more.  Although we have not tried it on the test grills it sounds like coconut coal could be as clean burning as it gets.  Let us know what you think!

Have You Tried Coconut Charcoal For Your Family Barbecuing?

By Jeco J

For centuries, people in Indonesia have recognized the use of coconut shells not only as a natural raw material to produce handicrafts, but also as an alternative and / or supplement to traditional lump charcoal, to improve and prolong the heat produced for cooking.

Coconut charcoal is an environment-friendly green alternative charcoal with many advantages that will make your barbecuing experience fun and help protect the environment. No single tree is cut to produce coconut charcoal. The characteristics of charcoal vary from one product to another. Charcoal variation results in different burning times, odor, and ash produced. Nevertheless, it is a common misconception that all charcoal is roughly the same. Coconut shell charcoal burns at 7,000 kilo calories. The unique manufacturing process of Coconut shell allows the charcoal embers to produce very little, to no smoke, and no more than 4% ash waste is produced when all the embers are burned completely.

Depending on air exposure and the type of barbecue grill you will be using, one kilogram of coconut charcoal (about 33 briquettes) roughly provides the same cooking “power” as produced by 2 or 2 ½ kilograms of traditional lump charcoal. Additionally, barbecuing with coconut charcoal, which has a very low content of volatile matter, ensures that soot formation, if any, will be minimal. This in turn reduces the cleaning time considerably.

With relatively stable heat created over approximately 2 – 2.5 hours duration, family barbecuing becomes environmentally friendly, more convenient, enjoyable, and more economical as less charcoals needed for replenishment during cooking. Have you try to use coconut shell charcoal for your barbecuing?

Jungle Notes was set up as a green article resource site so that readers across the world can come together and share this information. Visit Jungle Notes now and read more green article!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeco_J
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Best Gift Ever

Last year my wife stuffed my stocking with a BBQ gift that would change my life.   It wasn’t a big box…  it fit in my stocking… and it has really helped every piece of meat I’ve since put on a grill.    It was a Thermapen Meat thermometer and it’s one of those cooking tools that works so well (other instant read thermometers always seem so unpredictable) I enjoy using it and have grown confident with the readings.    Really, what’s more important than NOT getting your guests sick!

It was a great gift.   She did her homework.  My wife researched that “Cooks Illustrated” had recommended it as a good buy a few years back.  She found a good price too.     It was such a great idea for a gift I compiled a sort of “best of” list of the coolest BBQ presents out there for Grilling Gift Giving.

Best Of Breed:

You just can’t beat the Thermapen Instant Read Thermometer from Thermoworks. Other thermometers may be OK.. but this one is super fast, accurate,  easy, and Amazon has it at a great price.  Fits great in a big stocking.

Some Packages Have Free Shipping

Let Them Eat Steak:

Second on the list is one that can work for long distance gifting.  In fact, they specialize in shipping premium food for   the Holidays.  I’ve been seeing an

Omaha Steaks deal for their Omaha Steaks Signature Sampler that looks like a steal.   Steaks, burgers and stuffed baked potatoes.    Any griller would want it, it made my mouth water thinking about it, and under $45 bucks.   Looks like a delicious steal to us.

Tool Chest:

If you want something inexpensive but kinda flashy for the pitmaster on your list an easy choice is a Grill Tools kit.   These range from simple to super deluxe but they always are appreciated because you could always use another set to keep grill side!  Some favorites for price are in our BBQ Shop like the “Mr BBQ” 5 piece stainless steel starting at under $25.  You can go higher end too with the Cuisinart 6-Piece Master Grill Tool Set.

Tie One On:

Lastly if you have a sense of humor you can’t go wrong with a funny apron.    Soon to be the ugly sweater of Christmas gift giving, it’s fun and always gets a laugh as he opens the gift.  Go with funny (your opinion wasn’t in my recipe!)… or Mario Batali’s professional grade… or theme the apron with sports (Red Sox fan?).   You can pick them up for less than $17.

Great gifts that can be put to quick use during time off with family and friends.  And we don’t get any real endorsement  fees for bragging about this stuff  however – full disclosure – if you do buy through our links and Amazon we receive a small commission (as with all the great stuff in our BBQ Shop).

Merry Christmas!

By Billy Bristol

These are the 12 BBQ grilling tools that no grill chef can be without. Most of the gadgets are basic, inexpensive, and not so fancy, but they will help you get to where you want to get…and that is grilling and barbecue perfection.

The first tip for using these gadgets is to have them within arm’s reach of your grill before you even start grilling. Organization is key to producing quality grilled foods.

1) Butane Lighter: Forget having to ever look for matches again. With a long handle and long nose, the butane lighter makes it safer, easier to use, and easier to find than matches.

2) Meat Thermometer: Having to repeatedly open the lid to your grill to check for done-ness causes you to lose heat, and adds to your cooking time. Have a digital roasting thermometer with a probe. This stays in the meat during cooking, and allows you to read the temperature without lifting the lid.

3) Chimney Starter: For those with a charcoal grill, a chimney starter is a must-have. All you do is place the charcoal in the top of the starter, wad up some newspaper and stick it in the bottom. Place the chimney starter on the food grate and ignite the newspaper. As soon as the coals are ready, just pour them into the grill.

4) Grill Tongs: These help you turn foods without poking them. The best grill tongs have long handles and spring hinges.

5) Timer: A standard kitchen timer is all you need to keep from over-cooking your grilled foods.

6) Basting Brush or Mop: Use a basting brush to apply sauces to meats without keeping the grill lid open for long periods of time. A paint brush with natural bristles works well also.

7) Metal Spatula: A long-handled spatula with a wide stainless steel blade. is one of the more essential grill items. Perfect for flipping large cuts of meat.

Long-Handled Fork: This helps to lift large cuts of meat or poultry from the grill. Never poke the meat until after it is done cooking, as the juices will run off into the grill.

9) BBQ Gloves: Flame-retardant gloves protect your hands when working with the hot grill and coals.

10) Wire Grill Brush: A stiff wire brush allows for a quick cleanup of food grates before the grill cools.

Often you can find many of these grill tools within one barbecue set. Buy a good grill set and keep the tools clean and ready for any time you’re ready to grill.

Billy Bristol is the editor and chief BBQ pitmaster for TexasBarbeques.com, an outdoor cooking and entertaining website devoted to backyard living. TexasBarbeques.com has been providing barbecue recipes, cooking tips, grilling techniques, and backyard entertainment ideas since 2005.

TexasBarbeques.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Billy_Bristol
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-10-Best-Barbecue-Grill-Tools-to-Have-on-Hand&id=2387429

A good butcher shop  is hard to find these days. Most Butchers are slinging it our in the super store groceries way in the back.    Use these small guides to determine just where that steak or chop comes from:

Beef Cuts

Pork Cuts