I have to admit my inner “Tool Man” wants me to have anything that runs on electricity, but so far I’ve avoided buying that one.  When it comes to pulling pork I’m pretty much a two forks and lots of arm action kind of guy.  I’ve always found my technique to be adequate.  So why try anything else.

I found a good reason to try something else recently when I got an email from the gang at Meatrake offering me a couple sets of Meatrakes.  One for me to try and and another to give away.  I replied and told them sure, go right ahead and send them out.  I mean trying something out for free beats the heck out of buying something and discovering it’s not the product you thought it was going to be.  I have to admit, though, I already knew I wasn’t going to like this “tool” at all and I felt a little guilty accepting their offer.

But, I was wrong…

The Meatrake actually did make pulling the pork a lot easier.  I ripped through two 8 pound butts in around five minutes.  This is pretty fast for me.  I thought it was a great tool and now I’m glad I got them.  I’ll probably use them every time I shred me some meat.

The handles are made from polypropylene and fit nicely into my hands.  I wish the handles were a little bigger around than they are, but it’s not really much of a problem.  The tines are make from professional grade stainless steel and tear through meat with ease.  I was even able to separate the pork fat from the pork using the Meatrakes with very little difficulty.

I suppose I could pad this review with lots of hyperbole and big words of praise. Instead I’m just going to tell you these things work and they work good.  In my opinion they are work $19.95 if you are pulling lots of meat.  You can purchase from Meatrake.com.

Now for the giveaway details.  The rules are quite simple.  Leave a comment on this post with why you want a set of Meatrakes.  Then tell all your friends about it.  Have them come here and leave a reply to your comment.  The person who gets the most replies to their comment wins.  Drawing will be held at Noon (Pacific time) on January 2nd.  Winner will notified via email, so make sure you leave your email.  In the case of a tie, I’m just going to pick someone…

Simple enough?  Ready…set…comment!

(And if you don’t mind would you please retweet for me)

Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2011 Larry Gaian

Grail Note: The Winner of the MrBarBQ.com contest is Mary M. from Wantagh, New York.  I’d like to thank the folks at MrBarBQ.Com for sponsoring this great contest.  If you’re looking for great BBQ Accessories please check them out.

Do you have a father or know of a father who deserves a nice BBQ/Grilling present for Father’s Day? Here’s your chance to win that super-duper Father (or father figure) a great present from MrBarBQ.com. The winner of this prize package will receive the new Hydro Grill Blaster pictured above along with an 18 piece stainless steel grilling tool set with aluminum case.

Here’s how we’re going to do it…

From now until 6:00pm (pacific time) on June 12th, 2011 you can leave a comment here on why your nominee deserves a chance to win these great prizes. The more nominations a person has, the better chance they have to win. Also, if you are on the list of people who have “Liked” MrBarBQ on Facebook your nomination will be doubled. You can nominate anyone you want to win this great Father’s Day gift. You can nominate multiple people, just make sure you nominate on different days.

I will notify the winner, via email, shortly after 6:00pm on June 12th. Winner MUST respond to email within 24 hours with shipping information or the prize will be given to someone else. The goal is to get this prize shipped in time for Father’s Day. There will be NO EXCEPTIONS to this rule.

(NOTE: All comments are moderated on my blog. If it doesn’t show up right away, just it will soon. Once I approve one of your comments the others will appear immediately. And rules are subject to change)

Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2011 Larry Gaian

Here’s how we’re going to do it!

Rules:

1. Receive an entry for Retweeting or Tweeting about the contest using the hashtag #GRAILgrate (1 per day)
2. Receive an entry for leaving a comment below on what you’d like to cook with your Grill Grates (1 per day)
3. Receive an entry for “Sharing” the link from my Facebook page on your Facebook page (1 per day)
4. Receive one entry for “Favoriting” this post on StumbleUpon.  (Only once, please)
5. That’s a max of three entries per day + StumbleUpon entry
6. Winner will be drawn at 6:00pm on Sunday, May 15th.
7. And as much as I hate to do it…U.S. Winner Only.  Shipping is prohibitive.  Sorry.

(NOTE: Comments have to be moderated on my blog.  If it doesn’t show up right away, just be patient it will soon.  Once I approve one of your comments the others will appear immediately.  Also shoot me a message on Facebook that you’ve posted the link on your Wall so I can make sure I get your entry.  And rules are subject to change)

Congratulations to John L. on winning a set of GrillGrates for Memorial day

Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2011 Larry Gaian

Here’s how to enter:

Stop by the Masterbuilt Recipe site and pick out your favorite recipe.

Once you’ve picked out your recipe come back to this post and leave a comment on which is your favorite recipe and why you’d like to win the smoker. (Comments are held in moderation for appropriateness before release)

You may enter one per day until September 15th.  The winner will announced on September 16th.

Here’s a little information from Masterbuilt on this great little unit:

So, I’m going to have a contest.  Leave your best idea or recipe in the comment section below for how I should use the syrup.  Remember this is all about BBQ and/or grilling so the idea or recipe must include something being cooked on one of my smokers or grills.

On September 1st I’ll pick and winner.  The winner will receive a McCormick Grill Mates Flavor Kit.  The kit includes everything you see below:

The Masterbuilt Electric Digital Smoker is a great fit for most people who like BBQ but are intimidated about the thought of firing up a big smoker.  If you can use an oven you can use this smoker, it’s electronically controlled with a digital keypad.

While you’re there take a look at all the great recipes and cooking tips he has on the site.  Nibble Me This is a great source for some fantastic smoking and grilling ideas.

(Note:  This contest was for Memorial Day 2010)

The Kansas City Barbeque Society and Sam’s Club have provide me with a prize package that one lucky BBQ Grail reader will win.  The package contains the following great prizes.  25th Anniversary KCBS Cookbook, KCBS Apron, KCBS Sticker Pack, KCBS Khaki Visor and KCBS Can Koozies.

Here’s how to enter.  Please follow these instructions carefully, to insure your best chance to win.

1. Follow this link to the Sam’s Club flyer and pick your favorite recipe
2. Return to The BBQ Grail and use the “Ask The BBQ Grail” Link.  Enter your name and email address and tell me your favorite recipe and why in the “Ask Away” section. (If the link doesn’t work, send an email to larry@thebbqgrail.com with the same information)
3. Increase your chances of winning by also becoming a “Follower” on Twitter AND Re-Tweeting the contest announcement Tweet.  When you Re-Tweet make sure you include the #GrailContest hashtag.  Every new “Follower” gets an entry.  And everyone gets an entry for each and every Re-Tweet.
4. Further increase you chances by becoming a fan of The BBQ Grail on Facebook and leaving a comment on the contest announcement on your favorite Sam’s Club recipe.

On June 1st I will enter all properly earned entries into something and draw a winner.  Winner will be notified by email and/or Twitter.

Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2011 Larry Gaian

Due to some technical difficulties combined with some family issues the announcement of the winner will be delayed until 12/31/2009.  I’m sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

Do you cook your Thanksgiving Turkey outdoors?  If you do and are willing to share your Thanksgiving experience with the readers of the BBQ Grail you could win a prize.

The contest rules are quite simple.  Cook your Thanksgiving Day Turkey outdoors.  It doesn’t matter how you cook it as long as it’s cooked outdoors.  You can fry it, smoke it, grill it you can even cook it in a dutch oven.  It just has to be cooked outdoors.  When you’re done eating take a few minutes and write a short story on how you did it and send up a couple of pictures.  The pictures need to show you cooking the turkey and a final table picture is also needed.  ( You can send up to five pictures)  If you’d like to include your favorite recipe for outdoor cooked Thanksgiving Day Turkey or a favorite side dish feel free to do so.

One Grand Prize Winner will be selected along with two “Honorable Mention Winners.”

Email your entries to thanksgiving@thebbqgrail.com.  Entries must be received by The BBQ Grail no later than 11:59pm on December 2nd, 2009.   All entries, including pictures, become the property of The BBQ Grail.  All decisions made by the judging team are final and will be based on your submitted pictures and write-up.

The Grand Prize Winner will receive a Char-Broil “Big Easy Oil-Less Infrared Turkey Fryer courtesy of Char-Broil.

Char-Broil’s new infrared oil-less turkey fryer is the safe way to fry your turkey. And because it uses NO oil, it’s healthier, too.  Prepare your turkey with the same injectable marinade you already use, or use seasoned rubs on the outside, which is not an option with traditional fryers. Cooks a turkey from start-to-finish just as quickly as oil-frying without the messy clean-up.

Take The Big Easy Virtual Tour to see how the infrared heat circles the cooker to penetrate the meat evenly and seal in juices. The result is a bird that’s moist inside and crispy outside but without the risk, hassle or added fat and calories of oil. Safely cook a turkey (up to 16 lbs.) or chicken in about 8 to 10 minutes per pound. Roasts and most other large cuts of meat cook for slightly longer.

The Big Easy includes a cooking basket, basket lifting handle, and meat thermometer and features:

• Enclosed burner design with 16,000 BTU’s
• Rotary Ignition
• Cool-touch handles
• Pull-out grease tray
• Stainless steel cooking chamber

Honorable Mention:

One Honorable Mention Winner will receive an autographed copy of "Asian Grill" by Corinne Traing

Another Honorable Mention Winner will receive an autographed copy of "Everybody Grills"

The Judges:

Corinne Trang:

An award-winning cookbook author, expert on Asian cuisines and cultures, beverage and food consultant, lecturer, spokesperson, chef, recipe developer, and lifestyle writer. A frequent radio and television guest, she is the chief east coast correspondent for America’s Dining and Travel Guide (Business Talk Radio).

Her first cookbook, Authentic Vietnamese Cooking (Simon & Schuster, 1999) won Best Asian Cuisine Book in the World and Best Book on Asian Cuisine in English at France’s Salon International du Livre Gourmand (The 2000 World Cookbook Fair). It was also awarded Best of the Best of 1999 by Food & Wine magazine. Her second book, Essentials of Asian Cuisine (Simon & Schuster, Feb. 2003), which covers Chinese cuisine and its influence on the major cuisines of Asia including Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, has already received much praise from the press including starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly and Cook’s Illustrated. Since then she’s published The Asian Grill (Chronicle Books, 2006), A Food Lover’s Companion: Vietnamese (Mark & Spencer, 2007), and the recently published Noodles Every Day (Chronicle Books, 2009). In addition to writing her own cookbooks, Trang has contributed to many others including Curry Cuisine (Dorling Kindersley, 2007), Saveur Cooks Authentic American (Chronicle Books, 1998), Saveur Cooks Authentic French (Chronicle Books, 1999), and The Encyclopedia of Food & Culture (Scribners & Sons, 2003).

Bob Devine:

Since the explosion of BBQ restaurants in New York a few years ago,I have worked as a Pit Master in the NYC and surrounding area, and have been around BBQ since the early 1980′s.. I started of on a 22 1/2 Weber, smoking a turkey the day I opened the boxed, and havn’t looked back since. Turkey is still, to this day, one of my favorite meats to smoke
I’ve graduated somewhat to commercial smokers, as well as mobile smokers.. Some of the equipment I’ve used in the past, and up to this present day ares Southern Pride: SPK500, SPK700, various mobile units, as well as other electric and gas models. Old Hickory: CTO’s, SSJ, various mobile units. Cook Shack: 300 series, 250 series. J&R Oylers: 700 series, 1000 series, and the 250 RFS  Alto Sham “cook and hold” models. Various wood burning, “mobile” units, used for festivals, street fairs, catering and competitions; to include: Lang, Meadow Creek, Stumps, Spicewines, Traeger, Fast Eddies, and many custom made models

I’ve worked at the Big Apple BBQ, on a couple of teams, and, as recently as the 2009 Big Apple BBQ, was hired by a new team to the event, to organize, set up, and cook, for their initial time at the Big Apple BBQ. I also engage in Competitive BBQ as a team member for various teams, as well as being a Certified Barbecue Judge at those events.   Am also well versed in “on-site” BBQ catering for all types of affairs, to include whole hog, surf and turf, and various smoked meats to include ribs, briskets, pork butts, chicken, and other meats.

Barry “CB” Martin:

It’s been my pleasure and honor to write the Sizzle on the Grill newsletter for more than 5 years and I have enjoyed every minute! Recently I was honored to be asked to create  recipes and write the informational pages of the new cookbook from Char-Broil called Everybody Grills.

I am not a professionally trained chef, although I have worked in a variety of restaurants and cultivated an appreciation for fine cuisine as a head waiter and wine steward at both French and American restaurants. The bottom line is I’m just a guy who really enjoys cooking and serving food to his friends and family. When I write about recipes for grilling, smoking or Q’ing…it’s because these are recipes I prepare. Now I expect there are many folks who are better cooks than me…and certainly you may be one of them. I just try to share some of my experiences to (hopefully) encourage you to take on the challenges of grilling, or Q’ing or smoking food that pleases you and delights your friends and family. I cook what I enjoy eating and I’m always interested in expanding my understanding and appreciation of food!

Dr. Gonzo:

What led this inventor of the (seen on TV) “Jiffy Home Lobotomy Kit”: just insert the stainless steel icepick behind your ear and stir in a circular motion until all your problems and worries dissapear…, proud founder of Spruce Up Yours Landscaping International LLC, this high powered Washington lobbyis, tirelessly fighting for our rights to carry concealed Kazoos, this former lead accordion player of a Maraca Rock and Roll Revue (until he was exiled from Columbia after an alleged affair with Juan Valdez’s burro), to dabble in the world of spicy comestibles? Maybe we’ll never know the reason for his shift in focus. All we can hope for is that he will continue to weave delicate textures, tastes and heat profiles in an effort to liberate us all from a world burdened by Bland.

Now, contrary to popular opinion, this iteration of Dr. GONZO is not (and never has been) a 300lb Samoan attorney. He is (and will continue to be) the traveling professor of Advanced Mixology and Arcane Aviation Physics at Hardknock University. Home of the Fighting Black and Blue Humping Lumper Marching Band; that not only carries the instruments in tight formation across the rugby pitch, they also carry the people that play the instruments in tight formation across the rugby pitch, and the (oh, so hard to get on) Intramural Cross Country Pruning Shear Relay Team, where we take running with scissors to the next level…

Stay tuned to YouTube’s DrGonzosCondiments <http://www.youtube.com/user/DrGonzosCondiments> channel for behind the scenes footage of Dr. GONZO’s ‘Secret’ Underground lab, Xtreme Grilling Team and early failed  high volume production experiments of our “World Famous” Peppermash. Yes, sometimes the best humor involves the failings of another so, have a giggle at our expense.

 Caption this picture and if it’s the best one you will win a jar of “Big Z’s Sweet Gold” Sauce, direct from Big Z himself.

Use the “comment” box to add your “G” rated caption.  Contest ends July 27th.

I received lots of entries for the Mug Root Beer Brew-B-Que Contest.   All, in some way tugged at my heart.

Each of the winners below will receive a Mug Root Beer cooler with Mug Root Beer and all the fixings to make the Brew-B-Que Sauce.

Thank you all for making this a most special Father’s Day.

As much as I wish everyone could have won.  I had to select five.  Here are the winners

I’d like to nominate my dad for your Brew-B-Q Father’s Day contest. First of all, because he is the best dad in the world, and second of all because he loves to BBQ. My dad adopted my older sister and me when we were 9 and ten years old. He has been the most awesome dad and taught us a lot. Both of my parents loved to cook but my dad’s favorite thing has always been when he can get his grill out and cook up something delicious. Our Thanksgiving tradition has always included dad grilling the turkey. He stands out there no matter what the weather and always grills the turkey perfectly. My dad can really grill anything. My mom passed away in 2004 and my dad has taken over the majority of the cooking ever since. He got married again, but seems to enjoy cooking so he continues to prepare a lot of the meals. I always look forward to summer because it means dad is going to get the grill out. My dad’s beer braised BBQ ribs are amazing and can make even the pickiest eaters happy. My dad not only makes amazing BBQ, he teaches his daughters every step. Some of my favorite memories with my dad are working in the kitchen with him as he comes up with his amazing sauces (the family favorite is one he calls “Fantazmo” sauce), and then going out to the grill and watching him work. — Joann S.

——————————————————————————————————————————–

This year has been a hard year for my dad. In February, I (his twenty-seven year old daughter) awoke to find myself very ill and my eyesight severely distorted, a condition that my dad is, unfortunately, all too familiar with. I ended up spending ten days in the hospital, during which my dad never left my side. He was there when I was diagnosed with a rare condition—essentially, a virus had permanently destroyed pieces of my vision. My dad can relate in a way few other people can—he was hit by a drunk driver twenty-five years ago and has slowly lost the ability to control his left eye due to damage he sustained in the accident. However, this hasn’t stopped Dad from working on his “special projects.” One year, it was to create the perfect apple pie (Mom and I called him “Martha Stewart” behind his back). Last year, his goal was to create the perfect BBQ sauce. He failed miserably, but I used it anyway out of pity. This has been an incredibly difficult year for both my dad and me, and spending some time together trying out the fail-proof BBQ recipe would provide a great escape for us. — Amanda V.

——————————————————————————————————————————–

“ There are four of us and only one amazing story of a great man, our father, Mark S.  Together we wrote one story and submitted it by each of our email addresses of 100 words each as our father taught us to be positive, always do the right thing and look for a solution to the problem”. We read the rules and so we submit to you one story divided individually because he really is worth it! What an amazing group of kids, all adopted thru the State of Florida nearly 16yrs ago. They all have the same birth mother but different birth fathers whom they do not know making this a truly feel good story, even if he is not a winner or they are disqualified for their efforts, whom ever is reading this will be sure to have a smile and be grateful to the men who raised them.
Best Regards, Tj S. ( ma, mom, mommie and momma ), depending on which child your speaking to.

Dear Sir,
(Letisia submits)
Our father is 38 yrs old and he is our hero even in illness. About a year ago our daddy although not of military status was delivering a hazardous material to the Army, it leaked unknown to him and he was exposed to the material by breathing in a fume that literally changed his life forever all in just a few short breaths. He now has short term memory loss and a seizure disorder that causes him to forget everything in his day unless it is something significant, unusual behaviors, lots of pain, gets lost in conversation because it is gone so quickly but wakes up every morning with a smile and I love you even though some days after an “episode” he doesn’t know where he is and reverts back to a memory of when he was

(Robert Submits)
16 and really thinks that he is late for curfew and is going to be grounded, he remembers my mom because they have been together since they were 12 but she’s the girlfriend, not the wife and ofcourse at the age of 16 he had no children so he asks “who are these people” refering to us kids. From the exposure he had 3 strokes and wasn’t expected to make it and although he has gotten better and is able to walk, talk and function he has a long road ahead of him, this is as good as it gets. It is like dealing with someone who has had a stroke who also has Alzheimer’s. Basically we lost everything when our dad became ill, our home, our pets, our vehicles and our minds trying to cope with what was life changing

(Niki submits)
for us all but because of him we now know why we were the chosen few out of a foster care system that was sad and lonely. He gave us something that only a real dad could do, he gave us a forever home and the foundation to build our lives so that even when without him, mind, body or soul we have our family. You see its not about the vehicles, the home or toys we once had or the family vacations we’d like to take or how easy it was to purchase the things we wanted; it’s the foundation that was built with a selfless smile
and dedication to form the foundation that allows us to move forward when things aren’t so great and to
appreciate the priceless things that you do have. We understand that nice things come with a price and

(Chyenne submits)
sometimes you pay the price with your own well being at the cost of making others comfortable no matter what your dreams or future plans were. So even though our daddy may only remember this for a short time we hope that on this day it will be significant enough for him to know (long term) that we are most grateful to be chosen by him and that we will reinforce the foundation with love, honor and respect for you never know at what time something will be taken from you, thank goodness for us it was only material things and not our hero. A good man who loves and is dedicated to his family, who is trustworthy, wise, oh so funny, who loves Nascar and grillin out as much as he does our momma and who isn’t afraid of anything other than cold water and always lets you know that you are loved. He’d be proud of us if we just sent in a crayon drawing but we know he is well worth a few hundred words and we hope you think so too. We love you daddy. — The S’s

—————————————————————————————————————————-

I would like to nominate myself. I’m dad to my two boys (Zach 12 and Gabe 6)who love to help out when its time to BBQ! I have a full time job and work part-time making up for the lack of a second income during the summertime. My wife works at a private grade school and summers are tough on pocketbook. Whenever I get free time its usually spent with the boys BBQ-ing. Gabe loves to spritz the meat! I’ll email the pic of him doing such. — Gary K.

—————————————————————————————————————————

I wanted to nominate my dad! He is phenomenal! He works so hard for his family. Not only has he served as a police officer, he is a cancer survivor who still works more than full time to provide for his family, and help my husband & I provide for our children, one of which is disabled. My dad has always stuck by my side, and he always lets my momma know how much he loves her. He ROCKS at makin’ bar-b-q, whether its a few racks O ribs, or 26 oz. Ribeyes, or when he slow cooked 8 briskets all on his own for a wedding, hes got it goin on! I have never seen a man who watches more bar b q shows on food network! I think his dream would be to go up against Bobby Flay! I know he would be thrilled to have a Frosty Root Beer! — Elizabeth J.