The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Yes, it's November, when grilling supplies go on massive sale at your local big box store to make room for the Christmas decorations.

Today I happened by the Lowes in Roanoake Rapids looking for lump charcoal. They had Cowboy Hardwood Lump Charcoal for $4.00/bag. If you're a grilling or barbeque guru, you already know that lump charcoal is a key to great results -- if you're using petroleum based briquettes you'll always have a slight petroleum taste, regardless of the marketing budget and commercials of those big companies. The cool kids know to use lump charcoal. It burns longer and hotter and provides real wood smoke taste. You can add additional charcoal to the fire without getting a "foomp" of gas fumes. (In other words, you don't have to start another chimney just to add some coals). If you didn't know that, now you do.

Is $4.00/bag a good deal? In a word, YES. Check the internet -- I've seen it for $19.40/bag plus shipping. Frankly, I'm going to stock up. You've been warned!

They also had chimney starters for $6.00. It's not the great stainless steel one, but for $6.00 you can afford a few.

What I can't figure out is why people don't realize that winter is the perfect time for barbeque. It's easier to keep the fire at lower temps on a 40 degree day than in 90 degrees of summer heat. Barbeque is a year round activity!