White Elephant

[American Decoy]

When I turned 62 last month, my sons conspired with my wife to get me a wood pellet grill.  Years and decades ago, I used to grill often.  I find now that I really like cooking in cast iron.  It keeps the flavors and moisture in the meat better than drying it out over the open fire.  Besides, I am too damn old to change my ways.  😉  

 

That was last month.  Now I am buying accessories, tools, and food for my Pit Boss.  It is my White Elephant.  Right now, I am cooking "wood-fired" pizza.  Tomorrow, I am planning an 18th century meat pie on the grill.  I had my eggs and sausages on the grill.  I even roast my coffee beans over the fire.

 

 

[Healix]

That is really awesome!

           

[Techwright]

18 hours ago, American Decoy said:

  I even roast my coffee beans over the fire.

 

More than a little envious of the full setup.  I'm curious, does preparing coffee this way impart a smoky flavor to the drink?  And if so, is it pleasant?

[Healix]

it's very smoky and pleasant!

 

[American Decoy]

Smoked coffee is not my taste.  Tried it once.

 

The "green" coffee beans are roasted in a pan over the open flames.  I have to do it outside due to the high volume of expelled bean skins--chaff-- and smoke.  I put two cups of beans into the pan over the hot fire and continually stir it until it is roasted to my preference.  Don't let it burn.  It takes about 30 minutes to get dark roast.  There are many videos online about roasting coffee at home.  Then I cool and separate the beans form the chaff by dumping them back and forth, pan to stainless steel colander.   A good breezy day helps.  Two cups of unroasted beans will last about one month.  I drink 1/2-a-pot per day.

 

About 3 years ago I found that I can get excellent beans by the pound for the same price as roasted coffee by the ounce.  I get the beans from Primos Coffee Co. – Raw Unroasted Coffee Beans.  For the past year, I have been flavoring the roasted beans with a shot or two of Balcones Rumble Whisky while they are cooling.  Wait a day or two for the alcohol to evaporate, then grind and brew.  Balcones has stopped making Rumble.  I have two bottles.  😞