FlamDisk is introducing a new way to Grill

The Middleton Wisconsin based company Sologear LLC, has come out with a new way to grill. The company started selling their FlamDisk this year, which is a metal disk that can grill your food without the need for coal or propane. The FlamDisk uses ethanol as their fuel source. Right now Sologear is advertising FlamDisk to tailgaters as an alternative to coal since coal is more difficult to dispose of and cleaner for the environment. According to the Wisconsin Business New Source “FlameDisk also produces 90 percent fewer pollutants than charcoal, is recyclable and is made from a renewable resource.” The disks are $5 which is comparable to purchasing a bag of coal, and can now be bought in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, and parts of Florida. However Sologear said FlamDisk would be available in major supermarkets, sporting good, and hardware stores nationwide by the end of 2010.

Sologear is advertising the disk for tailgaters but I think this product would be great for campers. One of the concerns that come up while grilling with coal in the great outdoors is clean up. I’m sure the FlamDisk is important to tailgaters who do not want to hassle with clean up or mess their clothes and vehicles; but when it comes to camping you have to consider those concerns and the safety issue. Forest fires are started far too often by people who do not properly dispose of their coal after grilling. Plus the wear and tear coal grilling brings to your grill could be avoided with the FlamDisk.

But Sologear is not content to just sale their Flamedisk; they will be selling an ethanol portable grill by the spring of 2010 for the projected retail price of $20-25$. I think it would be a great idea for them to advertise to campers who are normally environmentally conscious consumers to beguine with. I am not saying that this will or should replace coal grilling, which is safe if you are willing to follow a few extra steps in the grilling process. The process is described in detail in the book The A to Z Guide to Grilling in the Great Outdoors.

In the meantime happy camping

Environmentally Friendly Camping

I saw that dozens of protesters in Boston recently went camping on Sunday outside of the Massachusetts State House, to bring awareness to clean energy.  The timing was most likely to coincide with the United Nations climate summit happening in Copenhagen.  The article I read was vague on details, and didn’t mention why they were camping, or what camping had to do with anything.  I think protests are a great way to bring about change and social awareness, but some people hurt there cause by trying to be shocking.  Does anybody really watch a protest and say “you know; the shirtless guy with the blue hair and pink leotard, beating a plastic bowl with a wooden spoon makes a valid point.”  No, but that is what makes the news, so I am assuming since the article was vague on details then they did not have that element at the protest. 

But I hope the protest brought to attention how going camping can help the environment.  If you were to take another vacation, you will be using a huge amount of natural resources, and even staying home leaves a bigger environmental footprint than camping.  But camping can be harmful to the environment, so I just wanted to go over some things to remember about responsible camping.  First, try to stay on designated trails whenever possible, when you walk off the beaten trail to beguine to beat other parts of the environment.  Try to pitch or campsite in a place that has been used by other campers.  That area has already been marked by campfires, tent and shoes imprints, as well the beating the ground took from football games (that is what my friends and I like to do after setting up camp).  Another important tip that really goes without saying is don’t litter, if your at a campsite with trash cans use them, and remember to bring your own trash bags that you can tie to a tree to keep animals from getting it and keep the trash from blowing away. I hope some of these tips were helpful, it shouldn’t be too hard to get motivated to do the right thing while camping because you beguine to really appreciate nature when you’re in the middle of  it.  If you know any other tips that can help me or our readers please write a comment.  And for other tips check out The A to Z Guide to Grilling in the Great Outdoors, at Grillopia.com

Happy camping

Camping in the Grand Canyon is still the hottest ticket in town

One of my greatest camping trips was to the Grand Canyon.  If you have never been there it should defiantly be on your bucket list; and not just so you can look at it and move on.  The Grand Canyon must be experienced looking down on it from high up and you defiantly need to travel down the Canyon and camp for a few nights (make sure you bring lot’s of water you wouldn’t believe how hot it gets).  Getting a reservation to go camping in the Grand Canyon is tough, because so many people want to go there, and the park only allows so many campers at one time.  The park has a tough job and they don’t want too many people coming in at one time; which could hurt the environment there and ruin it for everyone especially future generation.  But I noticed an article in the San Francisco Chronicle which mentioned that camping in the Grand Canyon will get even harder.  If you want a backcountry permit you will need to send a written request to the park four months in advance starting February 1^, 2010. 

 I know they have a tough job over there so I understand the new rules, but what kind of struck me as strange was the fact that after you fax, mail, or hand deliver your request; the request is then entered into a computer where it is randomly selected for consideration for permits.  So four months is the minimum you will have to wait but it could be much longer.  I understand why it would take longer than 4 months especially depending on which season you want to go.  But why is it random?  If I make a request in February, why should it be considered after someone who sent their request a few months later?  I know that there have been budget cuts in the national parks and everyone needs to tighten there belts in a recession, but I think the efficiency of hiring someone to consider these requests in turn rather then input them in to a database that organizes them randomly would eventually pay for itself in happy campers. To be fair the article did say that the park was going to eventually introduce an online reservation system, but they didn’t say when or why they aren’t being more efficient in the meantime.  Maybe I’m missing something, or maybe I just expect too much from people who are doing there best.  What do you think?  Write a comment and give your two cents.

How to know if your grill has been recalled

If you are reading this you probably love to grill or are at least curious about grilling.  However the pleasurable experience of grilling can make you forget that if you are dealing with an open flame or combustible gas, it can be dangerous.  Almost all of these dangers can be controlled by following a few safety tips.  The A to Z Guide to Grilling in the Great Outdoors can help with that.  After all it is a poor craftsman who blames his tools.  But sometimes the tools just don’t work; and you could have a grill lurking in your garage right now that could be dangerous to you and your family.  Please excuse me if my choice of language is making you uneasy.  I get annoyed when different media outlets try to make us too afraid to do anything.  So, there is no need to fear simply enter this site here, and find out if a portable grill has been deemed unsafe.  This site is run by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which is an independent federal regulatory agency that has been around for over 30 years, and has assembled data from consumers and has been testing products on their own.  The above site talks about the latest recalls in portable grills which are used for camping.  But to go to the main page and checkout any other products go to http://www.cpsc.gov/.

Have a safe time camping,

Middle Fork Preserve Shakes things up

Who wouldn't want to be here?

So are campsites doing well or not?  Some of you might remember my article about how well camping accessories were doing in this dejected economy.  The common wisdom being that people were looking for cheaper vacations which camping provides.  Then I contradicted myself with another article about how Tennessee State Parks, as well as other State Parks around the country were doing poorly, and blaming that on the economy.  Now I would like to contradict myself AGAIN with and article from The News-Gazette in central Illinois.  They wrote an article about the souring revenues in the Middle Fork Preserve, in Champaign County.  It reported that “Through Sept. 30, the 65-site campground had taken in $36,775 in camping fees, far above the $29,122 reported in 2008 and almost as much as the $38,416 recorded in all of 2005.” (Keep in mind the years not over yet).  The 65-site camp charges $20 to $30 depending on the whether or not the site has electricity or what day and time of year.  So is this is an isolated situation?  On one hand it makes sense since that the Middle Fork Preserve is doing so well because camping is a cheap alterative to other vacations.  But family vacations are taking a hit everywhere since unemployment is going up, and people are afraid of losing their jobs.  They don’t want to be the guy with all the used vacation time.  I have this problem at my job.  But what do you think?  Did you go camping this year? Was it crowded?    Let me know.

Happy Camping

An article from a first time camper

I just read an article in the AJC an Atlanta based news paper.  In it Theresa Walsh Giarrusso was writing about going on her first camping trip, and wanted the readers to give her some suggestions and asked 7 good questions.  Below I have the questions and my answers.  If you  want to read the whole article and read other responses to her post it can be found here.

Anyone who has ever read this blog knows that I am not the outdoorsy type.  I am 37-years-old and have never, ever, not once been camping. And neither has my husband!

This weekend our family will be CAMPING for the first time thanks to the Cub Scouts. (Walshie did join Cub Scouts. See earlier entry on that decision.)

I am very excited about sharing the experience with Walsh, but I am also pretty certain we’re going to do things wrong, bring the wrong stuff and just generally be way out of our comfort zone. (And as you know from the football game discussion if it rains, I am out of there!)

We are lucky the Cub Scouts are making it an easy first trip. We will only be at Stone Mountain and our tent (borrowed from my friend Sheridan –thank you) will be located near the bathroom. (Hooray for indoor plumbing!) We will be sleeping in tents, but they will provide dinner. (Hooray for provided dinner.)

We will be hiking but I’m a good walker and in decent shape so I’m not too worried about that. I am extremely worried about getting the tent up and staying warm and dry during the night. (I am mildly worried about rapists and wild animals but those fears are probably unfounded.)

We had planned to take Rose and leave the baby with my mom and dad. But since Rose was out sick with bronchitis three days this week I am thinking she shouldn’t be exposed to cold , damp air and campfire smoke. (Michael thinks I’m crazy but I know cold air and smoke can set off lung issues and the poor child coughed constantly for five days!)

Michael is fairly certain I will bolt as soon as it gets dark and temperature drops at all. Despite his doubts, I am committed to stay as long as it doesn’t rain on me!

Here are my questions:

How long could it possibly take us to put up our tent? Is an hour and a half enough time? Two hours?

Is Walsh’s Pottery Barn Batman sleeping bag not going to be warm enough?

What if we snuggle him between us?

Do we need to bring a gallon jug of water?

Do we need to bring a cooler?

Where do we keep our snacks (they said not in the tent and in what?)

Give me some basic dos and don’t for the night! Nothing is too elementary!

 

Hi Theresa,

You’re in for a great treat I’ve been camping my whole life and I even run a website devoted to it called Grillopia.com.  As for you questions:

1. It depends on the tent, look at the directions before hand but it shouldn’t take long. But make sure this is one of the fist things you do when you arrive, and try to get there early.  You don’t want to be figuring out how to do this in the dark.

2. I checked your sleeping bag on pottery barns web-site and they say that it’s cotton inside and out, and it has a Velcro instead of a zipper.  It seems more like a sleepover bag than a camping bag.  It depending on the climate you’re camping in, but cotton is not the best way to go for warmth, if your kids sweat it will hold that in and could make them colder.  Plus a zipper holds in warmth better than Velcro.

3. Snuggle away

4. It sounds like the campsite your going to has water, but you don’t know how clean it’s going to be.  It’s always good to bring your own water.

5. If you’re going to grill you need 2 coolers, one for food one for drinks.  People especially kids are always closing and opening coolers to get drinks, and that is not good for perishable food especially meat that should stay in a cooler that is not being opened and closed.

6. Snack like power or cereal bars can be kept in the tent as long as there not open.  Open wrappers will attract bugs.  Fresher snacks like fruit can be kept in a plastic bag in the cooler.  And depending on how far you are from your car you can keep snacks your sure won’t melt in the car.

7. Let me think`; don’t bring your shoes into the tent.  You might want bring an extra towel to lie at the foot of your tent so you can put the shoes there.  It sounds like this is not a campsite that will have anything crawl in your shoes.  I’m not saying that to scar you, it just that I have camped in the desert before, and you need to check your shoes there.

I hope that was helpful, you can also get a free e-book designed for grilling and camping in the outdoors.  Just go to Grillopia.com

August Recipe of the month

With football season coming around the corner, I though we needed a great tailgate recipe.  I present you with; “Touchdown Teriyaki Sesame Ginger Wings”.  I got the recipe and tailgate suggestions from HPBA.org, and thought this recipe is also great for camping as well.  The rules suggestions in the article apply to camp cooking as well.  Both activities require you to bring your grill along for the ride and to make some preparations at home before you grill on site. 

Ingredients:

    Chicken wings or thighs

    To make teriyaki sauce:

    1/2 cup of sesame seeds

    1 cup soy sauce

    1 cup grapefruit juice

    1/4 cup hoisin sauce

    1/4 cup ketchup

    1/4 cup rice vinegar

    1/4 cup light brown sugar

    5 garlic cloves, halved

    3 teaspoons of ground ginger

 

Instructions: Place all the teriyaki ingredients in a Ziploc bag and mix well, set aside. Clean in cold water and cut the fat off of the wings or thighs and pat them dry. Put them in the Ziploc bag with the teriyaki sauce and put in the refrigerator and let them sit overnight. Cook on a hot grill until they are browned (5-7 minutes per side).

 

Make sure you invite a lot of people (unless you really don’t want to cook that much), tailgates are one of those the more the merrier type deals.  Don’t just invite the sports fanatics you know.  Even if people don’t like football, they probably still like tailgates.  Also make sure that the stadium allows tailgating in the parking lot.  I know this sound ridiculous but the closest NFL team to me is in Washington DC, and they are disallowing tailgates from now on starting this year.  The owner Day Snyder; wants to make sure everyone is hungry before they come into the FedEx field and then have to buy their over priced food.  Just for the record I’m a Packers fan.  But if your teams GM isn’t a huge jerk, make sure you get there ahead of time so you can pick a great spot and prepare.  This way you can grill a lot of food, and make sure you grill some other things that aren’t normally at a tailgate like grilled vegetables and fruit.  Have fun and before you watch the game make sure you have turned off all your gas, or pored water over your coals until there are no more sparks.

Until next time,

 Happy tailgating,

Campsites near Niagra Falls

Niagra Falls

Do you like to go camping, and want to see Niagara Falls?  Do you think you have to choose one or the other?  Well, you can do both at Jelleystone Park, in Ontario, Canada.  Did that sound too much like a commercial?  Sorry.  I went to Niagara Falls on my honeymoon years ago, and I had a great time.  It is a enormous touist destination for couples and families.  However, I paid quite a bit for a bed and breakfast, and the area itself is rather touristy so the hotel prices are higher than normal.  But the cost at Jelleystone is;

• $36-40 for a tent
• $41-61 for an RV hookups
• $59-70 for one of their log cabins which can hold up to 4 people

(This is Canadian dollars which is comparable to US dollars but check the currency rate)

I am not saying my wife would have been ok with us going camping on our honeymoon (although I don’t see anything wrong with that), but it seems like Jellystone has the best of both worlds.  However, if you like to rough it during your camping trip don’t get too excited.  Jellystone it is comparable to a KOA, which I’m not knocking, I’ve been going to KOA campsites for years.  But they’re a place with showers and washing machines on site.  A good place for new campers trying to get there feet wet and some people just love that atmosphere.  I would like to recommend some New York State Parks, but there are no parks close to the falls that allow camping.  But they are beautiful, and you should go to both sides of the border to enjoy you trip.  I hope you find this article helpful

 

Happy Camping

How to Make Spaghetti Sauce on your Grill

Have you ever used your grill to make spaghetti?  I like spaghetti, but had a hard time wraping my head around spaghetti and camping mixing.  But I gave it a try; and I think you’ll like it as much as I do. You just need to remember to bring two pots. One for the pasta and one for the sauce, it might be easier to bring your own spaghetti sauce but I like making my own. All you need to do is to boil the pasta in one pot over your grill or camping stove, and then cut about 10 to 15 tomatoes in half right down the middle. Grill one side of the tomato for about 3 minutes, and then flip them and grill the other side for another 3 minutes. Then toss them in the other pot and mix with onions, garlic, and rice vinegar. I like using rice vinegar but if you don’t have that or you want to use something else then you can use tomato juice, chicken or beef broth, or even just water as a substitute. Don’t forget to chop the onions or garlic before you leave for your trip. Spices can be kept in miniature air tight Tupperware bowels or plastic bags. If you’re using plastic bags remember to push out the air from the bottom to the top before you seal the lid. Mix the sauce on high heat and stir often until the sauce beguines to boil. Now camping spaghetti is not for everyone. But if you’re looking to do something new give it a try, it’s fast and easy. And if you have a recipe idea you can send it in to grillopia.com and turn it into our community recipes section. There are also great tips you can get in our Grilling Report The A to Z Guide to Grilling in the Great Outdoors. Happy camping,

Camping on the Beach

Do we go to the beach, or do we go camping?  This is a dilemma that confounds families each year.  Well, why not do both?  This remedy has the benefits of both ideas without many of the drawbacks.  For instance, going to the beach can be expensive; a beach house with a view can cost a fortune.  For most people nowadays that’s a vacation killer right there.  But many State Parks can offer beach camping for a well under $100 a night.  You can watch the sunrise if you’re at Myrtle Beach State Park, in South Carolina.  Or, you can watch the sunset if you’re at Asilomar State Beach in California. 

Sounds perfect, so let’s plan a trip:

• First you need to make sure that the State Park or beach allows camping on or at least near the beach.  I mentioned Myrtle Beach State Park above but I don’t think they allow you to camp on the beach, but Edisto Park does.  For all of South Carolina’s State beach info try here http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/waves-water/beaches.aspx
• A lot of the packing will be similar, bring your grill, sunscreen, etc (For ideas and instructions on how to pack for your trip go to grillopia.com).  But make sure that you also camp for beach activities like a boogey board or whatever you like doing.  Plus you need to bring a warm set of clothes you can keep in your tent because it can get cool at night, but you don’t want to bring a sweater along with you while you’re walking the beach on a hot summer day.
•  Make sure you put you tent far enough away from the shore that it will not get wet when high tide comes through.  You might want to camp close to a structure or something that can block the wind because sand can be a pain if the wind is kicking up a dust storm. 
• A very important rule is to bring a lot of WATER.  This is something you should always do while camping or going to the beach, but if you’re staying over night it is important because you might not have any water when you get there.  Or if you have been on some board walks like me you are stopped in your tracks when you see that they charge up to $5 for a bottle of water.  So bring your own bulk supply.  A sports drink like Gatorade or Powerade is good to bring along too, but you should still bring water.
• Make sure that you can park for free or at least a reasonable price overnight anywhere near your campsite.  There may be more camping and beach equipment then you need, so you will have to pack some of this in your car.  Camping and beach activates can be exhausting, and you don’t want your car to be too far away if you need something. 
• Last but definitely not least; your grill.  Bring your grill or camping stove with a well stocked cooler makes for a great camping experience.  If you can catch a fish from the ocean then the grill could be the component you need to have a story to tell for years to come. 

 

I hope this post was helpful. If so then drop us a line and sign up for our FREE Newsletter at Grillopia.com

 

Happy surfing and happy Camping