Hey guys. What do you think of a BBQ/grill for a Valentine's day gift for a guy? Which one?

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So my guy has enough cologne and tools lol…..He wants a bbq so I thought it would be a great Valentines day gift. We have been together 5 months and just moved in with each other last month. How would you feel if your girlfriend gave you a bbq (btw he is 30). I am looking thus far at a gas bbq in 3 brands Brinkman, Kenmore or Webber. Here are the links to each of them: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_07116115000P?vName=&cName=&sName=
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100497509&N=10000003+90401+500349
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100599785&N=10000003+90401+500349

I am pretty lost on which one to get. I would like to get him a nice one but I am a single mom of 2 on a limited budget….so even a suggestion to a different grill would be ok :) Thanks for your help!

I think it is a great idea. He is sure to be happy… You can get some really nice grills with side burners and several burners for a pretty good price at places like Sears, Kmart, Walmart, etc. I think I got mine at Sears and have had it for 3 years, I keep it in the garage when not in use and it still looks and works like new. By the way, We love to BBQ… and I hope you all have a great Valentine's day.

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Suggestions for Insect reppellent tools, candles.. etc..?

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Hello,
I just moved to a subdivision to where my backyard has a very small natural wetland, that I know will attract more insects than the usual to my outdoor deck. I am planning a BBQ for my husbands birthday and will be spending the day and late evening outdoors.. .I want to place candles and anything I could to prevent my company from being eaten alive.. please give me some reccomendations on what brands and what I could do to make this party eventful without the insects distracting us lol.
Thank you all!

I have found that maxi deet works the best as is 100% deets, you could also use citronella candles.

If mosquitoes are the problem treat the wetland area with some mosquito dunks.

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Barbecue How To’s and Two Bbq Recipes

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Barbecuing is a widespread and honored tradition. Three out of four american families own a barbecue grill and use it, on average, four to five times per month. What better way is there to have fun with friends and family than to have a barbecue?

Before putting the meat on the barbecue it is a good idea to set it out of the refrigerator for about an hour to let it warm up. This will make the meat cook quicker and it will be juicier.

Food safety is an important issue so always be sure that you cook the meat thoroughly. Cut the meat in the thickest part to be sure that the juices are clear to be sure that it is completely cooked. Always be sure to keep utensils used to handle the raw meat separate from those you use to handle the cooked meat. Cross contamination of bacteria can be as dangerous as eating raw meat. You want your barbecue to be both fun and safe for everyone so always be careful.

Barbecued Spare Ribs are a classic American barbecue meal, made from pork. This version is cooked in the oven, not on a barbecue, and uses a barbecue sauce with a distinct Asian flavor, featuring soy sauce, rice vinegar, and garlic.

Remember to give your barbecue a good cleaning after each use. If you have a gas grill, you can turn the grill on for ten or fifteen minutes to allow it self clean. Charcoal grills need to be cleaned with soap and water using a stiff wire brush.

Here are a couple really good barbecue recipes you can try at your next barbecue

Grilled Stuffed Pork Chops

Ingredients:

4 thick rib pork chops, (1″ to 1 1/4″ thick is best)

3/4 cup dry breadcrumbs

Large pinch dried and crumbled rosemary

Large pinch dried and crumbled marjoram

1 Tbsp. melted butter

1/2 cup minced sweet onion

1 small clove garlic, minced

salt and/or pepper to taste

Make several shallow cuts in each pork chop with a knife.

In a large bowl mix the breadcrumbs, herbs, butter, onion, garlic, and salt.

Stuff the mixture into the cuts you made.

Grill the pork chops at medium to high heat for ten minutes on each side side. To make sure the chops are evenly cooked they should be turned several times. Grill them for five minutes or so then turn them over and let that side cook for 5 minutes. Repeat this process two or three times or until the chops are grilled to your satisfaction.

Barbecued Spare Ribs

Here is a classic American barbecue with a twist. This version uses a barbecue sauce that has a distinct Asian flavor, featuring soy sauce, rice vinegar, and garlic.

Ingredients:

2 pounds pork spare ribs

1/4 cup soy sauce

2 tablespoons honey

2 tablespoons hoisen sauce

2 tablespoons white vinegar

1 tablespoons sake

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon sugar

1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground white pepper

2 tablespoons chicken stock

freshly ground black pepper and salt to taste

Put the spare ribs in a large casserole dish in one layer.

Using a large bowl, combine the rest of the ingredients. Pour this mixture over the spare ribs being sure to completely coat the meat. Let this marinate overnight, baste occasionally unless the meat is completely covered.

Throw the ribs on the grill and let them cook to your satisfaction. Turn them several times during the process and baste them with the marinade sauce a few times.

Campfire Dining - Gourmet Style

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With the final long weekend of the summer approaching, Labor Day weekend may signal the last summer cookout, beach BBQ or campfire grill until next May. So, if you’re planning to make this long weekend the most memorable camping trip of the season, why not put a little extra panache into your outdoor dining? After all, just because you’re roughing it doesn’t mean your menu needs to be limited to canned beans and weenies on a stick.

I spend every Labor Day weekend at my trailer in Ipperwash Beach, Ontario. I’ve been venturing to Sunnyside Trailer Park for the past 30-years, which means many of my fellow campers are like family. That’s why we host the annual Sunnyside Labor Day pot luck. It gives us the opportunity to kiss the summer farewell with good food, and good company.

Personally when I’m preparing for our annual camping pot luck, I’m looking for what I like to call “unique convenience” - which means an easy dish, but one that will still knock the socks off of my fellow campers. Many of my campsite neighbors enjoy cooking as well, so the annual Sunnyside Labor Day pot luck has given into a little bit of healthy competition - who can out cook who with limited tools.

If you’re familiar with small hard-top trailers, tents and campers, then you know we are all limited to the odd gas stove, BBQs, hibachi grills, and glorious open flame cooking. Typically, what I do to prepare for my annual pot luck dish is watch the Food Network and consult my health gourmet cook books, and adapt one of the recipes into a campfire-friendly dish.

This year I’ve decided to make a grilled vegetable, shrimp and artichoke pasta salad that I spotted in one of my favorite healthy food gourmet cookbooks. It will just take a few minor adjustments, because I will be marinating and then barbequing the shrimp on skewers, boiling the whole wheat penne burner-side on my gas BBQ grill, and grilling the mélange of red and green peppers, sweet red onions, and canned artichokes on a pie plate over open flame.

My adjusted recipe turned out to be easy for campfire cooking, plus it will have my fellow pot-luckers thanking their ‘lucky plates’!

Campfire Grilled Artichoke Pasta Salad

Ingredients
• 1 can of artichokes
• ½ cup sweet red onion - chopped
• ½ cup sweet red pepper - chopped
• ½ cup green pepper - chopped
• 1 package of whole wheat penne pasta - boiled
• 1 cup of chopped basil
• 1 ½ cups of balsamic dressing
• Spices of your choice for shrimp marinade ( I use a mix of cumin and chili).
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation
1.Roll fresh shrimp in spice mixture and set aside in a bowl
2.Pierce shrimps single-row on skewers
3.Fire up the grill, when hot place shrimps on and grill each side for 2 minutes - set aside
4.Place all of your chopped veggies in pie plate and place over open fire coals
5.Grill until desired. They should be crisp but warm.
6.Bring water to a boil on BBQ side burner and add penne
7.Combine pasta, grilled veggies, and chopped basil.
8.Toss with balsamic dressing.
9.Remove shrimps from skewers and toss with salad.
10.Place covered in the refrigerator until ready to serve

So it just goes to show that a little extra planning; can mean a night of dinning enjoyment. Just pop the cork from your favorite bottle of red, and voila - gourmet campfire cuisine awaits!

Building Outdoor Kitchens: the Hottest Trend in Cool Entertainment

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Building outdoor kitchens is all the rage and if you haven’t already built one, I’m sure you’ve got an outdoor kitchen plan for your home. And why not upgrade your backyard to be the hot spot on the block for entertaining and relaxing …

Outdoor kitchens increase your living space and add tremendous value to your home. That’s why building outdoor kitchens is the second most popular remodeling project after indoor kitchens.

However, a great outdoor kitchen is a complex project.

You can certainly enjoy your backyard and grill up some tasty BBQ on any charcoal or gas grill, but to truly bring your kitchen outdoors requires significant planning, skill and expertise. This project is not a do-it-yourselfer.

Here’s what you’ll need to consider:

Your basic outdoor kitchen set-up will include a built-in barbeque grill, countertop, sink, refrigerator, outdoor kitchen cabinets and cozy outdoor furniture or barstools for yourself and all your guests to kick back.

The barbeque grills on the market today offer so many bells and whistles shop around to determine how much grill you want.

Next, the type of countertop surface is a crucial decision when building outdoor kitchens. Options include tile, quartz, solid surface, granite and other natural stones. Choosing the right countertop will ensure years of enjoyment and admiration. The wrong one …years of hassle and headaches.

Additional Luxuries

For the ultimate in luxury, you may also consider installing pergolas, stereos, ceiling fans, fire pits and more. Even TVs are moving outside.

Comfort & Flow

Comfort is key to enjoying your outdoor kitchen and entertainment space. But before you empty your wallet on that imported teak dining set with bar stools, take a look at the space you have available and decide how it’s going to “flow.”

Everyone needs a little space so, make sure your outdoor kitchen plan accounts for some basic and standard construction measurements to allow plenty of room to sit and move about.

Also keep in mind protection from the sun, rain and wind.

Outdoor Kitchen Location

Easy access to your primary kitchen is still important for overall convenience. And building outdoor kitchens requires access to water, electricity and gas, which means this project will almost certainly require a permit. You’ll have many discussions with your contractor about all of these items, but this should get the juices flowing.

Visit Perfect Backyard Oasis for a more thorough discussion about building outdoor kitchens.