Source: www.viewpoints.com
CyndiA
southern, NC

“Cook a whole chicken with 8 briquettes of charcoal on a Cobb.”

Cobb CB042 Pro Portable BBQ Grill and Smoker

The Cobb Premier Portable Stainless Steel Grill & Smoker is a really unique grill. Actually, it’s not exactly a grill - at least not in the traditional sense. It’s more like a small and fuel efficient oven to use on the deck or to take tailgating or to use as a camping stove.

Cobb was invented in South Africa. It was designed to be used with corn cobs as fuel which is where the name comes from.

The American version of the Cobb uses charcoal. You can buy little mini charcoal rings or just use 8 standard briquettes in the bottom of the cooker. That will get the heat up to 450 degrees and burn long enough to cook a whole chicken without refueling.

The food cooks on top of the cooker with a lid on to hold the heat, and you can also put vegetables in the moat area around the charcoal where you add water to keep moisture in the unit as the food cooks.

One really neat feature of the Cobb grill is that the outside is cool to the touch, so that’s good if you have kids or pets or even if you are not so coordinated. It also means that you can move the unit while the food is cooking if you need or want to for some reason.

The outdoor cooker is convection (which is why it’s so easy on fuel and greener than most grills), so I usually cook items I’d be more likely to smoke. It can be used with the lid off to grill burgers and steak, but I add more fuel if I do that (and also cook the meat partially with the lid on).

They have a bigger model out now, and I think I’d suggest that. The original will hold a whole chicken (yum - very moist), but I’d like to put a few potatoes around the bird. With mine, I put those in the moat where they come out kind of crispy on the outside and softer inside and with charcoal flavor.

Just recently I found that Cobb is on Facebook. I signed up, so I now get recipes and tips from other people who own Cobbs. I would recommend getting on the Facebook list, because this is a pretty new outdoor cooker, and it does help to get ideas and tips.

NOTE: the difference between the Cobb CB042 Pro and the Cobb Premier is that the steel base is coated in high-quality enamel instead of stainless.

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This video demonstrates how to light a charcoal grill using standard briquettes and lighter fluid.

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How To Use a Charcoal Grill

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There are many types of charcoal grills but the basics are the same. So keep reading for the A-Z basics of how to use a charcoal grill.

How do you start a charcoal grill?

You start by deciding what you are going to use. Briquettes or charcoal pieces? If you are going to use briquettes, you will need to be sure you know what you want. Charcoal can come in many shapes, sizes and flavors. Most people who are not overly health conscience will go for the normal briquettes which are all over the place and the “norm” . But some people in today’s society are looking at everything that is being consumed. That includes consumption via cooking elements. And those folks prefer the use of lump charcoal as it is made more naturally and burns down to nothing.

Lighting a charcoal grill consists of layering and the use of additives to help ignite it. Some folks like to use lighter fluid. Some use pre-soaked self lighting coals and again some like the lump charcoal as it generally lights quickly and easily with less of a hassle.

When deciding how to start a charcoal grill gather your tools. You will need:

• Lighter fluid
• Newspaper
• Long stem matches or a long stem lighter

You begin by layering first a bit of paper, and then layer like a pyramid your briquettes. Some people will stick shards of paper in between and then pour the lighter fluid on top to help it light. I don’t recommend over doing it, you may get a fire going that you didn’t anticipate! In lighting a charcoal grill you should always exercise caution and be sure you know what you are doing.

Once lit… let the charcoals burn down a bit. You will know when they are ready because they will be slightly gray on the outside and bright red in the middle. That means they are the hottest they can get and are ready to be moved around a bit to begin grilling. So with a fire poker gently push the coals around and evenly distribute them or push them to one side depending on what you are cooking.

I like to cook everything on a charcoal grill. It has the best flavor and the natural taste of the great outdoors.

But how to cook on a charcoal grill exactly? Good question!

The best way is to season your meats and marinate them to perfection. Then lightly coat the grate of the grill with canola or olive oil to help prevent your meat from sticking.

Start with your potatoes first if you also grilling potatoes. Take a potato, poke some holes in it with a fork, roll it in butter and coat it in salt. Then wrap them in aluminum and put them on the grill until they feel like they are getting tender. Yum!

THEN add your meat. Depending on what it is, most meats take around 20 to 30 minutes to cook. This gives your potatoes time to finish cooking as well. You may also want to throw on a couple of red and orange bell peppers and corn on the cob to make your charcoal grilled meal complete!

Related:
Video: How To Light A Charcoal Grill

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There are thousands of options available to you when you are purchasing your first grill. It may seem overwhelming, but knowing the difference it each type of grill will help you may an easier decision. Read the full story

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