The Lodge Logic Pre-seasoned Sportman’s Charcoal Grill is a hibachi-style charcoal grill. It is made with durable, cast iron which makes it work great for picnics, tailgating and any outdoor parties in general. The Hibachi-style grill also has a cast iron cooking surface grate. The size of the cooking surface measures at around 17 1/4 inches by 9 inches. This should be enough to cook a meal for six people or less.

What makes the Lodge Logic Pre-seasoned Sportman’s Charcoal Grill so great is its versatility. You can easily control the temperature of the grill by rotating the grill away from the heat source. Cleaning is also convenient with the Lodge Logic Pre-seasoned Sportman’s Charcoal Grill. All you need to do is hand wash the charcoal grill with a stiff brush and hot water. Here are some of the opinions of customers who purchased the Lodge Logic Pre-seasoned Sportman’s Charcoal Grill.

Gary Webster

I’ve now had the Lodge Hibachi for 4 months and typically use it several times a week. Clean-up is even easier than it was when new. Remember to put a little olive oil or PAM on the grids first and the seasoning improves. In cold, rainy weather, the hibachi fits and cooks nicely in my fireplace (thanks, Ukiechris!), but I crack a window when I do that.

Although quite heavy, it’s a great picnic grill and will easily cook chicken, steaks or burgers for 4 people. My Webers must think I don’t love them anymore. I do, but the Lodge is perfect for 1-4 people and chicken cooked on the hibachi has a flavor my kettle or barrel grills just can’t match. Besides cooking for that tribal gathering, I’ll let you know if I find something the Lodge can’t do.

Bonny Dune

This is a wonderful tool. I don’t know why Lodge doesn’t give more information on how to use it. Yes the charcoal bowl is deep. That makes it perfect to bake potatoes wrapped in foil, or just put large sweet potatoes directly on your coals. Turn them as each side gets burnt black. At about forty minutes put your meat on the grill and you have a great meal. Nothing beats those sweet and smoky potatoes. Yum.

No grill cover? Well no it does not come with one. But if you put your large cast iron skillet upside down over that chicken it will grill beautifully. And I have noticed Lodge’s Fish Pan is sized to match this grill. I haven’t gotten one yet, but I have measured it in the store and I think that used upside down it makes a perfect lid. This is a great way to smoke things. Of course this is for strong adults only. Wearing protective clothing. Buy a pair of those leather oven mitts Lodge sells when you get this grill, you will be glad you did.

So what did customers have to say about the ‘Thrill of the Grill’ Charcoal Grill recipe book? One customer mentioned that there were a few reasons why some people may be disappointed by the charcoal grill recipe book. Those who are most likely to be disappointed are those who are expecting a book about barbecue only and those who quibble about minor errors. This book is not a barbecue bible. If you are looking for a book on various techniques like smoking and slow grilling then this is not the book for you. If you are looking for recipes from a wide range of cuisine then this charcoal grill recipe book is for you. Another customer reported that he never used one specific recipe book so much until he got a hold of ‘Thrill of the grill’. The customer recommended that it is suited for those who like to experiment and have fun while grilling.

According to another reviewer, the authors of ‘Thrill of the Grill’ do not even consider the use of gas grills at all. You will find no mentions of propane, bottled gas and natural gas at all. It is evident by this observation that Chef Chris Schlesinger has a great passion for charcoal grills. The core section of the charcoal grill recipe book is split into five chapters. These chapters are sorted into appetizers, fish, meat, unusual ingredients like frog legs and the last chapter focuses on the author’s interest in pickles. This book is available at Amazon Marketplace for a price of $14.00. If you wish to read more reviews about this charcoal grill book then feel free to visit the Amazon review page before purchasing this excellent grilling book. ISBN number is 0060084499.

The Weber Rapidfire Chimney Starter is made with aluminized steel and it is attached to a thermoplastic handle. You do not have to worry at all about the product quality because Weber always uses high quality material. With this Chimney Starter, you can fill enough briquettes for a 22 1/2 inches kettle charcoal grill. An excellent example of a Charcoal Grill which suits this amount is the Weber One-Touch Silver. The cone shape on the bottom of the Rapidfire chimney starter also improves the efficiency in lighting the charcoal.

So what did customers who bought the Weber Rapidfire Chimney Starter have to say about this great product? One customer stated that the efficiency of this chimney starter fulfilled its name, Rapidfire. Compared to the old chimney starter he used, it took half the time to light a charcoal using the Weber Rapidfire. The main reason behind this is a feature which is well hidden under the metal casing of the Rapidfire Chimney Starter. The Weber Charcoal Grill Rapidfire Chimney Starter uses a conical wire grid instead of the traditional perforated metal plate. This allows all the flame from the newspaper to reach the charcoal.

Another customer was also impressed by the quality of the Rapidfire Chimney Starter. He also mentioned that he no longer had to worry about the volume of briquettes required as his charcoal grill is filled perfectly by using the Rapidfire Chimney Starter once. If you would like to read more reviews before purchasing this chimney starter then click here. Already made up your mind? Click the button below to purchase your Rapidfire Chimney Starter for a special price of $13.60 through Amazon (price may change).

#5 Steven Raichlen Best of Barbecue SR8037 Insulated Food Gloves

The first gloves to hit the top 5 list of barbecue gloves is the Best of Barbecue Insulated Food Gloves, designed by one of the top celebrity chefs in barbecue cooking. These gloves are extremely good heat insulators and many customers were satisfied by that aspect. The majority of chefs who bought this glove reported they had no problems transferring hot meat from one place to another. One problem you may find with the Best of Barbecue Insulated Food Gloves is that there may be no size perfect for your hands. At a price of $14.99, this barbecue glove seems a steal for cooking on your charcoal grill.

#4 Heat Resistant Fireplace and Barbecue Gloves

Next to hit the top 5 barbecue glove list is the Heat Resistant Fireplace and Barbecue Gloves, manufactured by Gloves Online Inc. Customers who purchased these barbecue gloves reported that they felt no discomfort approaching hot objects. The gloves also are made of leather and the lining of the gloves makes it quite malleable. If you are looking for something stylish then these barbecue gloves are definitely the way to go.

#3 Eastman Outdoors 13-Inch Cooking Gloves

Next comes the Eastman Outdoors 13-inch cooking gloves. These colorful barbecue gloves protects your hand from heat, oil, steam and smoke. It is very comfortable utilizing soft fleece for the palm area and sheepskin lining for the back of the glove. Many users also gave excellent reviews for this cooking glove because it is very long, which makes it very useful for people wearing short sleeved shirts. Other users of the Eastman Cooking Gloves also reported it had excellent durability and it could be use for a variety of things, not just for grilling.

#2 Lodge Red Leather Gloves

Starting at a sales price of $21.00, these red leather gloves brings in an exciting element to your grilling experience. Chefs reported that the Lodge Leather Gloves could easily handle temperature as high as 600 degrees. These gloves are thick and well designed. If you want to get your money’s worth then the Lodge Red Leather Gloves should be one of your top choices.

#1 Ove’ Glove Hot Surface Handler

These barbecue gloves remind me of goalkeeper gloves but they do the job you want them to do. You can handle temperature as high as 480 degrees which is already two times the temperature of boiling water. One of the biggest advantage Ove’ Glove provides over traditional mitts is that there are five finger slots. This improves your grip and control greatly.

#5 Bobby Flay’s Boy Meets Grill

Bobby Flay is a top notch American Celebrity Chef and it is no surprise that two of his BBQ Charcoal Grilling cook books, Boy meets Grill and its sequel which we will get on to later is in the top five BBQ cook books which I have came across. He owns many restaurants which includes the Mesa Grill, Bobby Flay Steak and Bobby’s Burger Palace. Boy Meets Grill contains 125 hot barbecue recipes for your charcoal grill. It also covers a wide variety of recipes from burgers to poultry, meat and even fruits! You can sense Bobby Flay’s enthusiasm by reading this cook book. Get your ‘Bobby Flay’s Boy Meets Grill: With More Than 125 Bold New Recipes‘ at Amazon.com for $32.50.

#4 Bobby Flay’s Boy Gets Grill

The next sequel to Bobby Flay’s amazing Charcoal Grilling Book series is called Boy gets Grill. In this Charcoal Grilling Cook Book, You get another 125 recipes for your use. This book does an amazing job at exposing the more sensitive side of barbecuing. It also covers a variety of cuisines, from Spanish to Greek, Cuban, Indian, Chinese and many more! One of the main reasons I like this BBQ cook book is because Flay gives so many techniques for inexpensive cuts of meat which would have been difficult to cook. If you are looking for a wide variety of recipes then purchase your Bobby Flay’s Boy Gets Grill: 125 Reasons to Light Your Fire! now in Amazon for a price of $22.80.

#3 How to Grill by Steven Raichlen

Next to hit the top 5 list of Charcoal Grilling Cook books is ‘How to Grill’ by Steven Raichlen. I recommend this recipe book greatly, especially if you truly are a beginner at grilling. The layout of the book may seem basic but it covers every aspect and technique you should know as a chef when grilling meals such as hot dogs and hamburgers. You will also find tons of well illustrated photos to guide you through the many recipes in ‘How to Grill’. Steven Raichlen is another celebrity chef and you can purchase How to Grill: The Complete Illustrated Book of Barbecue Techniques for a great price of $16.42 at Amazon. Don’t wait!

#2 Weber’s Big book of Grilling

The next book to hit our list of the top 5 cook books is made by the big boys of grilling, also known as Weber. This Grilling Company is one of the leaders in the BBQ industry and has manufactured excellent gas and charcoal grills such as the Smokey Joe and the Summit E-420. As the title suggests, this book is indeed big. You will find over 350 excellent BBQ recipes and each comes up with informative grilling advice and techniques. Purchase Weber’s Big Book of Grilling at Amazon for a price of $16.47.

#1 Big John’s Speedway Grilling

Last but not least is Big John’s Speedway Grilling. What makes this book exciting is that it also comes with interviews with celebrity drivers including Kyle Petty. There is a no non-sense approach to the grilling recipes in this book so you will find that most points are concise and informative at the same time. If you are looking for enjoyment as you swift through this excellent cook book then it is definitely for you. Purchase Big John’s Speedway Grilling at Amazon for a price of $4.79.

If you own any of these books already then feel free to leave a comment or short review about any of the above. Feel free to also leave other recommendations for Charcoal Grilling Cook books!

The first thing you should ensure is that the grill is a safe distance apart from combustible material. If you are using a gas grill then you would definitely want to keep the propane gas well away from the flame. Grills should also not be placed near the exterior of your home. If you are planning to place your grill on a balcony then check with an engineer to make sure your balcony can support the weight of a full sized grill.

When it comes to the type of grill, gas grills are more hazardous than electric and charcoal grills because gas grills are more vulnerable to leaks and breaks. When you use a gas grill, ensure it is secure before you turn on the propane gas tap.

Another BBQ grill safety tip is to only use equipments which bears the mark of an independent testing laboratory. Do not ignore the manual. Follow each and every step of the manufacturer’s manual so that your grill is properly set up.

When it comes to cooking, never pour lighter fluid when the coal or kindling has already started burning. It is strongly recommended that you do not use any other combustible fluid other than lighter fluid to start your fire in a charcoal grill. When you have finished barbecuing, wait for the charcoal to cool down before you remove it. Depose it somewhere safe such as a metal container, just in case it is still burning.

Finally, use your common sense. Do not let your children or pets to approach the grill. Also ensure you take into consideration the safety of other people by keeping the grill away from high traffic areas.

If you follow the BBQ grill safety tips above then you are more than ready to start cooking your delicious meal.

Temperature

The main factor which will affect your smoker is temperature. For example, say your desired temperature is around 220℉. In the summer, air temperature may vary at around 100℉ while a cold day may drop down to as low as 50℉. This just means that on a summer day, you will need a fire which will increase the smoker temperature by 120℉ while on a cold day, you will need a fire which will increase your smoker temperature by 170℉. This means you will need efficient temperature control and a warmer fire to make up for the loss in initial fire temperature.

Wind

Another factor which affects your smoker is wind. Both the intensity and direction of the wind will affect your smoker’s ability. For example, some smokers have a defined airflow path. If the wind is blowing in the direction of the airflow path then this will cause your fuel to burn faster and cause random temperature spikes. You can adjust the vent of your smoker when you experience a variation in wind intensity and direction.

Precipitation

It is unlikely that you will be barbecuing on a rain day but cold weather can bring light showers and snow. When raindrops hit your smoker, it will evaporate. The evaporation will take some heat with it which results in a heat loss. If you ever find yourself in a situation when there is a sudden shower or snowfall, open up your vent and increase the fire temperature to make up for the heat loss.

#1 Feta and Tomato Pizza

A classic you would find in many pizza restaurants. Ensure you use tomatoes which are yet to  be ripe and grill until the feta cheese starts to melt into the pizza base.

#2 Mexican Pizza

This Pizza will get you shaking with its delicious combo of jalapeños capsicum, avocado, green onions and chicken bits. You can say it is a mixture between a pizza and a tortilla.

#3 Pepperoni Pizza

Another classic which will overwhelm your hunger. This simple yet delicious pizza is suitable for any occasion, unless you are a vegetarian of course.

#4 Philadelphia Style White Pizza

This Pizza may have no sauce but the mixture of garlic, beef and mushrooms will get your mouth watering.

#5 Spicy Sausage Pizza

If you are into spicy food then get ready to be slammed by the Spicy Sausage pizza. Just like the Pepperoni, spread as much spicy sausage as you want over the dough and enjoy your lively meal.

#6 Italian sausage and Bell Pepper Pizza

This Pizza influenced by Italian seasoning is a hot favorite for pizza lovers who like to be much more than the ordinary.

#7 Pulled Pork Pizza

Happen to have left over pork from your recent barbecue grill session? Do not waste it! Use it to overwhelm this amazingly delicious pizza.

#8 Grilled Pita Pizza

This Greek style Pizza uses Pita bread as its base. All you need to do is top it up with delicious feta cheese, olives and mint.

#9 Southwestern Pizza

Like the Pulled Pork Pizza, this pizza recipe uses leftovers of grilled chicken.

#10 Greek Grilled Pizza

This Greek influenced pizza is loaded with mozzarella cheese, red pepper sauce and green onions.

1. Set up your rotisserie. Ensure that it fits the size of your grill or else it will not work. What is a good length for a rotisserie? The rod should be at least 3 inches longer than the width of the grill. Set up the mounting brackets which should be fit under the grill hood and run the spit rod through the set of holes and insert the open end of the rod into a rotisserie motor.

2. Now choose the right accessories for the meat you are going to skewer. For example, whole chickens and kebab meat fit nicely into spit forks. Ribs and pork chops work out with rotisserie baskets.

3. Once your rotisserie is set up with the meat, it is time to get it rotating. The speed of the rotisserie motor is extremely important. For example, if you are skewering a  large meat like a whole chicken then you would want the rotisserie to rotate slowly. Smaller portions should rotate at a faster speed.

4. Grill your meat over indirect heat. Ensure there is plenty of moisture. Fit a drip pan under the spit rod to collect any dropping fluids.

5. Now grill your meat to a desired temperature. Check your recipe to find out what your desired temperature is. To check the temperature of the meat, stick a meat thermometer into the inner and middle portion of the meat.

Very Rare (130° Fahrenheit, 55°C)

Red and translucent center.

Rare (140° Fahrenheit, 63°C)

Reddish Pink, subtle translucency at the center.

Medium Rare (145° Fahrenheit, 64°C)

Pink and you may see some juice on the cut surface.

Medium (160° Fahrenheit, 71°C)

Opaque with slightly rosy hue.

Well Done (170° Fahrenheit, 77°C)

Grayish Pink and somewhat moist.

Very Well Done (180° Fahrenheit, 82°C)

Uniformly light in colour

Preparing the steak

One of the most important beginning steps of grilling a steak is knowing its feel and texture. I encourage you to have a feel of the steak before you place it on the grill, it will help you determine what kind of done-ness you want for your steak and an estimation of how long it may take. For example, the Tenderloin may take less time to grill compared to a New York strip because it is more tender. You should also take note of how thick your steak is.

Preparing the grill

One thing you do not want to see happening is for your steak to stick onto the grill grate. To avoid this, oil your grate with a brush as the grate is getting warm. The easiest way to clean and oil the grate is to use an oil soaked paper towel. Using the brush, wipe the grate evenly with the paper towel. It is recommended you use oil with a high smoke point like olive oil.

Seasoning the steak

A high quality steak should not require much seasoning. Unless you are going for some wicked barbecue sauce, I suggest you sprinkle a subtle amount of salt and pepper, perhaps a bit of herb too. Make sure the seasoning is evenly applied onto your steak. The last thing you would want is for one side of the steak to be too salty and the other side to have no particular taste at all.

Grilling the steak

This is the hard bit. If you want full control over the done-ness of your steak then you want to get your grill as hot as possible. It is recommended that you get a charcoal grill as they are capable of reaching the high temperatures of ovens which you find in steak restaurants. Once you are ready, place the steak on the grill. Time is key here. Research online the time it takes for different types of steak to cook. Once you know the time, close the lid and count. When you reached the time limit, open the lid and carefully flip the steak over to its other side. Do not use a fork as you risk losing some of the tasty juice. Again, close your lid and count. Once both side of the steak seem fairly cooked, insert a thermometer into the thickest part of the steak and read the temperature. Use the Done-ness chart above to figure if the steak is ready or not.

Preparing the steak
Yes! We are ready to serve. Place the steak on a cold plate and leave it there for five minutes before you start devouring it . This gives the meat time to relax, cool down and also allows for the spreading of the juice.