I am King of the Grill. I have a smoker that I’ve had for 25 years. Along the way I’ve made many a smoked delicacy. That’s true barbecuing where you let the smoke do the work. Putting the meat over the coals is grilling. Mostly I do a combination of both: char the meat over the coals on each side to seal in the juices then move it over to “slow cook” it.
My specialty is smoked turkey: it takes all day to cook an I need a shower to get the smokey smell off my body, but in addition to the smoky flavor, the meat comes out very tender and juicy. My sister is willing to travel 700 miles to see me if she knows I am preparing it.
Took me many years to outgrow my Calvinistic tendencies. But it still happens, if I don’t keep up my guard, and I cringe when I hear myself recidivate.
Oddly, I don’t remember ever seeing this particular strip before. And I almost ALWAYS remember the ones where Calvin suffers the consequences of his own obnoxiousness.
I would say that Calvin’s dad sounds like he’s from the Roger Fox school of grilling, but I think Calvin and Hobbes predates Foxtrot? So maybe it’s the other way around?
This, unfortunately, is the exact description of my brother-in-law’s so-called “barbecuing” style. He’s so cheap, he tries to save his briquettes by plunging them into a coffee can of water. If he had a Weber Kettle, he could close all the vents and the briquettes go out, plus they stay dry and sterilize the inside of the grill at the same time. His son bought him one, but he won’t use it. He loves those cheap flat grilles and is too stubborn to change, so it’s the coffee can for the leftover briquettes. Unfortunately, when they get wet like this, they won’t burn until they’ve completely dried out FOR YEARS. Meanwhile, he wants to have another “barbecue”, so he floods everything with lighter fluid. Vicious circle. Anything he “cooks” tastes like lighter fluid as a consequence…
BE THIS GUY about 4 years ago
Hate it when the chef can’t take a little constructive criticism.
Space_Owl on GoComics about 4 years ago
He’ll probably spit in it too.
Templo S.U.D. about 4 years ago
picky eater even when it comes to BBQ, isn’t he?
jmworacle about 4 years ago
Open mouth insert foot…..
Renatus Profuturus Frigeridus Premium Member about 4 years ago
This happen when you criticize the cook .
TooOld2BCool about 4 years ago
If you do it right, and don’t overuse the lighter fluid, it’s fine. You won’t taste it at all.
GASOLINE, on the other hand…
Bilan about 4 years ago
Of all the things Dad has to put up with, he also finds out he’s got the one kid in a million that doesn’t like grilled hamburgers.
Guilty Bystander about 4 years ago
Just be glad he used the lighter fluid on the burgers, kid.
codycab about 4 years ago
If Calvin is THAT picky, he probably won’t be able to eat again.
Kind&Kinder about 4 years ago
With all the criticism he gets from Calvin, Dad is beginning to develop an inferiotity complex.
SHIVA about 4 years ago
For once the parents clamped down on the little cretin!!
Scorpio Premium Member about 4 years ago
Wow. Complains about all food. It’s amazing he eats anything
rshive about 4 years ago
He who mocks outdoor cooking must pay the price.
M2MM about 4 years ago
That’s the response I would have gotten as a kid. :D
The Reader Premium Member about 4 years ago
It’s a mistake giving Calvin that much time to think up what to do next!
jpayne4040 about 4 years ago
In other words, “Good night, Calvin!”
dflak about 4 years ago
I am King of the Grill. I have a smoker that I’ve had for 25 years. Along the way I’ve made many a smoked delicacy. That’s true barbecuing where you let the smoke do the work. Putting the meat over the coals is grilling. Mostly I do a combination of both: char the meat over the coals on each side to seal in the juices then move it over to “slow cook” it.
My specialty is smoked turkey: it takes all day to cook an I need a shower to get the smokey smell off my body, but in addition to the smoky flavor, the meat comes out very tender and juicy. My sister is willing to travel 700 miles to see me if she knows I am preparing it.
Troglodyte about 4 years ago
“A smart Alec and his tongue often go hungry” :D
My First Premium Member about 4 years ago
Calvin, PM me. I can help your dad. Over 40 years of experience on Weber grills!
cocavan11 about 4 years ago
Calvin failed to complain about the occasional bird droppings. Has he gotten used to them or is the outdoor cooking so bad that they’re unnoticeable?
Doug Taylor Premium Member about 4 years ago
The thrill of hickory…
and the agony of burnt meat!
david_42 about 4 years ago
My grill has a propane side and a charcoal side, I only use the latter for big groups, so not at all this year. 10th anniversary bash got 86’d.
vaughnrl2003 Premium Member about 4 years ago
Snarky does not get snacks.
MichaelHelwig about 4 years ago
Why is the chef dressed like a golfer?
Whatcouldgowrong about 4 years ago
Took me many years to outgrow my Calvinistic tendencies. But it still happens, if I don’t keep up my guard, and I cringe when I hear myself recidivate.
Kilrwat Premium Member about 4 years ago
More for dad!
Calvins Brother about 4 years ago
Join us again tomorrow when Calvin reports on hot dogs.
Who, me? about 4 years ago
Poor dad. He gets no love from his family for liking to grill and camp.
Tentoes about 4 years ago
We used to go to the park and pick a stone fire place. Dad would go into the woods and find a dead stick and build a wood fire. Such memories!
Otis Rufus Driftwood about 4 years ago
Between Calvin being ungrateful and Dad not taking criticism, I got nothing clever here.
DadToFivePlus about 4 years ago
I never use lighter fluid to start charcoal.
Barnabus Blackoak about 4 years ago
Dad: “Let me clarify, WE eat in an hour. YOU eat torrow. Maybe.”
WCraft Premium Member about 4 years ago
Better watch where you’re squirting that lighter fluid, Dad! Wouldn’t want to light something else by accident!
kab2rb about 4 years ago
Love outdoor BBQ flavor.
ForrestOverin about 4 years ago
Oddly, I don’t remember ever seeing this particular strip before. And I almost ALWAYS remember the ones where Calvin suffers the consequences of his own obnoxiousness.
ForrestOverin about 4 years ago
M’mm m’mm! Nothing tastes better than a burger after holding a child accountable for bratty behavior, lighter fluid or not!
mistercatworks about 4 years ago
Neighbors on all sides of me barbecue frequently. That’s fine but I don’t understand why my house has to smell of lighter fluid.
That one random picture not on the internet about 4 years ago
Calvin’s mouth is almost the same in every panel.
KEA about 4 years ago
somehow, “biting the hand that feeds you” springs to mind
gs72083 about 4 years ago
Hell’s Kitchen
LupisLight about 4 years ago
I would say that Calvin’s dad sounds like he’s from the Roger Fox school of grilling, but I think Calvin and Hobbes predates Foxtrot? So maybe it’s the other way around?
swanridge about 4 years ago
Calvin is on hie was to being a vegetarian. (Or a veterinarian, depending on how spell-check is working today)
DCBakerEsq about 4 years ago
My dad’s burgers were always crunchy. Didn’t seem right.
johnec about 4 years ago
Don’t worry, Calvin. I’m sure Hobbes will share his tunafish sandwiches!
jel354 about 4 years ago
Looks like neither one can handle character building.
cosman about 4 years ago
Dad used clear lamp oil in a pump spray on the briquettes, never tasted it in the meat.
Scott S about 4 years ago
If you let the charcoal get completely grey before putting the meat on the lighter fluid will be all burned off & won’t taint the food’s flavor.
Lightpainter about 4 years ago
I have never BBQ’d a hamburger or hot dog. I do teriyaki salmon.
Lightpainter about 4 years ago
I agree with Calvin, if a burger is burned outside, raw inside, I would throw it away.
sobrown51 about 4 years ago
Perhaps Calvin was NOT being sarcastic.
namelocdet about 4 years ago
That’s exactly why Hank Hill recommends using Propane. Taste the meat, not the heat. :-)
Vaporman about 4 years ago
This, unfortunately, is the exact description of my brother-in-law’s so-called “barbecuing” style. He’s so cheap, he tries to save his briquettes by plunging them into a coffee can of water. If he had a Weber Kettle, he could close all the vents and the briquettes go out, plus they stay dry and sterilize the inside of the grill at the same time. His son bought him one, but he won’t use it. He loves those cheap flat grilles and is too stubborn to change, so it’s the coffee can for the leftover briquettes. Unfortunately, when they get wet like this, they won’t burn until they’ve completely dried out FOR YEARS. Meanwhile, he wants to have another “barbecue”, so he floods everything with lighter fluid. Vicious circle. Anything he “cooks” tastes like lighter fluid as a consequence…
Santaanacanyon1 about 4 years ago
Don’t ya’ hate it when Calvin’s right?
HodgeElmwood over 2 years ago
That’s the way my neighbors cooked. Until they got a propane grill. Then the food was just charred.