Fabulous Wilton Armetale BBQ Grill Griddle Contest Super Bowl Day 2014

 Win This Great GrillWare Griddle on Super Bowl Sunday 2014

It's been a while since I've done a grilling giveaway contest, but when Kristen asked me about a free Grillware Griddle for a lucky reader of Barbecue Master, I had to jump on that. I have one of the companies woks which I love, so I know the quality on these pieces. Top notch.

I do not get any compensation for the contest. I am on tap to get and review the chili grilling pot from GG and excited about that, but the contest is flat out a gift from the company to the winning reader - no strings. 

I always try to keep my contests simple and non-invasive for readers. In this case, I ask that you visit Grillware Griddle and then tell me in comments. You can visit and like or share at the following:

Facebook Grillware Griddle

Twitter Grillware Griddle

Pinterest Grillware Griddle

Tell me which you did and add the link in my comments. And, yes, you can do all three for three entries. Please do a new comment for each, so it's easier to make the slips for drawing on Super Bowl Sunday. That's the end time of the contest - the end of the game 2014. I wanted to get this one on out there with such a nice piece, but you can enter up until the last second of the game.

Be sure that you include some way to get in touch with your entry. I don't keep and collect your contact data. I just need some way to get in touch if you win. Then, the company will send out the griddle. That's the only direct contact data and only on the winner.

If you're wondering why this griddle is so special, it's a high end metal. It is a lot like cast iron with the great heat retention, but it does not require a lot of special care and does not rust. My wok is slightly darker than when I got it from being on the grill, but it is not real dark. It still looks a lot like the brand new photo.

Do note that you're not supposed to put the griddle in the dishwasher. I don't have one, and I would not do that to high end grilling items.

If you want to expand your grilling, a griddle is a wonderful addition. The Wilton Armetale is top of the line. You will enjoy this grilling accessory for years to come.

Do note that I check my comments. If I don't, I get spam and other bad stuff. My readers do not want to see that. So, you won't see your entry until I click in and check and press post. I wish I did not have to do that, but if I don't check, you would see some really ugly stuff. All real people get clicked in. Thanks.

Win Grilling Gear and McCormick Grill Mates Prize Pack - Ends 6-25-2012

Win This Neat Grill Mates Prize Pack Provided By McCormick

I'm part of the Grillerhood this summer, and you can join the fun on Facebook where all the coolest grillers are hanging out and sharing grilling tips, recipes, and secrets. Just click over and see what the buzz is about at FB Grillerhood.

I could tell you about all the great information you'll find and about the HUGE prize one lucky person will win at the end of the summer compliments of McCormick . . . but it's more fun to explore.

As an added bonus, you can win the prize pack you see above. Just visit and "like" the Grillerhood and then leave me a comment telling me something cool you found on your visit. Also, give me some way to get in touch if you're the lucky winner of the McCormick grill apron, gear, and seasoning prize. (I don't keep or collect your data. I just send the winning entry over, so the prize can be mailed out.)

This grilling prize contest runs through June 25, 2012, so be sure to enter while you're thinking about it. And, you can enter once per day too. Just share something new each time you visit.

All entries get a slip in the hat, and one of my sons will draw the winning name on the 26th of June.

Yes. Simple as that! And, you will be sizzling on the grill this summer like I am with my snazzy new apron, tools, and new seasonings which I'm using to whip up some great grilled recipes.

Cyndi Smoking Up Some Good Grub with McCormick Gear and Grill Mates

Win a Really Nice Grill Cover from Empire Patio Covers - Ends 4-8-2012

Enter to Win a Free Grill Cover From Empire - Easter Drawing

It's that time of year - time to fire up the grill. That's the fun part. The "not so fun" part may be the clean up if you just let your grill sit out after the temperatures went down last season.

I keep my grills under cover which can be challenging, since I have around 30 grills. In some cases, that means they are under the porch or in the garage but not fully covered and protected. I can tell the difference as you can see with this nice Charbroil four burner grill with double side work areas.

How Did My Grill Get This Messy in the Garage?

You can see my grill looks pretty good, but it did get a lot of pollen and general outdoor grime over the winter even though it was in the garage.

If you can't see what I'm talking about, then here is what North Carolina pollen looks like in the spring even if you keep your grill basically inside.

Dirt Happens. Dirty Grills are a Reality.

I'm looking at a pretty easy clean up here, since I did store the grill over the winter. But, you know all that pollen and gunk can't be good for a grill.

Then, consider that many grills sit out in the weather all year and take a lot more abuse than mine. I was tempted to slip over to a neighbor's house for a shot of an uncovered grill and how that looks, but that would be rude and very un-Southern (not to mention I might get shot).

So, take my word for it, a covered grill fares much better. I have covers for about 1/3 of my grills. The covers take the brunt of the mess, and those covered grills are easier to fire up, have less rust problems, and they last longer.

OK. So We Know a Grill Cover is a Great Idea.

When you invest in a barbecue grill, it's a wonderful idea to buy a cover. But, we know how things go. A lot of great ideas do not get the follow up.

But . . . you're in luck (if you win).

Empire Patio Covers is offering two winners free grill covers. They sent me one to check out to see if I wanted to host a contest. I only host contests that I think offer real value to readers. I was impressed with my Empire Grill cover out of the package and then even more so when I put it on my dirty (but now clean) gas grill.

Jimmy Helped Me Get the Grill Cover Out and Cover Up MyBBQ  Grill Investment

Excuse my wrinkles here. You are seeing my grill cover just out of the package, so it's not had time to shake out. I wasn't so sure about ironing it, and I really doubt most buyers would. Well, my Mom might . . .

I can tell you that this is a good quality outdoor grill cover. I've looked at a lot of them (and own several). This one is sized well for standard gas grills with various sizes. They also have straps under with easy-to-use but solid clips. That's not a critical element here usually, but I saw issues with a grill cover at a house we rented at the beach last summer. The house owner had to buy bungie ropes to keep the cover in place. That grill cover was skimpy (unlike the Empire grill cover which covers this entire very large gas grill). And, the Empire is a heavier material as well. So, we're really talking apples and oranges. This grill cover is the real deal, and you don't have to buy bungies.

So . . . How Do You Win a Grill Cover?

I keep my contests low tech and simple. I hate to jump through hoops and have to sign up for all kinds of stuff to enter, so I don't ask you to do that.

First, check out the grill covers at Empire. You'll see that they are sized for gas grills (the most popular selling). Then, check out the colors (right on the page link).

In my comments here, tell me which grill cover you'd like and why you need or want a grill cover.

Be sure to leave some way for me to get in touch. I don't grab your contacts (in case you wondered). But, I do need some way to let you know you won.

Grill Cover Winners

I'm inviting family over for Easter, so I'll have one of the kids draw the two winning names. I make slips and put them in a bucket (the names - not the family kids). Then, I ask for someone neutral to draw.

The deadline is midnight EST April 7, 2012 for the free grill covers, and the drawing will be on Easter April 8, 2012.

I'll contact the winners after we wrap up our Easter fun here and allow three days to get back in touch.

Empire takes care of the prizes and getting those out to the winners.

Extra Entries?

I know a lot of contests include extra entries, and people like to up the odds. I want readers to add entries only if they want to and they add value. We can see why I am not in sales (-:

With that in mind, here are some extra entry options:

1. Invite a friend to enter and have them mention your name in the comments, so I'll know to add another slip for you. They can just put BLANK sent me.

2. Tweet this free gas grill cover contest and tag it #cyndiallison. That's my Twitter name, so I can look up those entries.

3. Link this contest on Facebook and add a note in my comments here at Barbecue Master to let me know you did that.

4. Google plus the contest and again let me know here in my comments.

That's a total of five ways to enter, and you don't get stalked or get junk email or contacts. On the other hand, you might win a really nice grill cover, and when I do contests, I often find new grill friends which is always a good thing.

Happy barbecue grilling. Good luck to all. Wish everyone could win. It's definately worth a shot. These are very nice grill covers.

 

Mayberry Days 2010 NC Pork Council BBQ Championship - Photos - Night of Smoke

On Friday night I reported live from the North Carolina State BBQ championship sponsored by the North Carolina Pork Council. The official state barbecue contest was held in Mount Airy, NC this year in conjunction with Mayberry Days. The contest rotates year to year.

Here are some more photos from the night of the barbecue smoke off in Mt. Airy.



Before the pigs arrive for smoking, the judges check out the various barbecue booths and judge them for showmanship. As you can see, Elvis was in the house (or parking lot) and apparently the king of rock and roll helped decide the king of pig this year.



Joe Peterson and crew had a booth that I called Pigs on a Blanket. They also had flying pigs overhead as we all found out when the judges stopped by. Peterson took second place in showmanship. Plus, the guys had a bed to nap on during the competition. Now, that's some good thinking there.



There are times to work and times to kick back. These guys were taking it easy here, but they were on their game once the pigs arrived. You take what rest you can get on an all night pig smoke, and yes it does take all night to smoke a whole hog.



Things did not get too out of hand at the overnight barbecue smoke, because duputy Barney Fife was on hand to keep order. He wrote some tickets, but those were for minor infractions like looking guilty of something.



This little girl was loving the barbecue contest and also loving getting her picture made. She was saying cheese, but she was not giving up that pacifier so that I could actually see her cheese smile. Bless her for effort and a first place for making me laugh.