After reading the back and forth in the op/ed pages re: the economic efficiency (or lack thereof) of our Xmas gift giving tradition, I was pleased to have been given a couple items that have begun to standout as really cool products.

Awesome for BBQing carne asada tonight:

http://www.panthervision.com/3-led-power-cap-in-various-colors-and-styles-item.html

And this thing works WAY better than I expected:

http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/kitchend...?crosssell=true

Very good, Mark! On the box, do you just put dry wood chunks in there (no liguid)? How big are the chunks you used?

I kind of like the hat.

My grill has a built in box. If you want a "campfire" taste, then leave the wood chips dry. If you want a nice smokey flavor, soak them in water for a good 20 minutes (put them in the box, add water to the box, let sit before applying heat).

My grill has a built-in chip box, too. But it takes about an hour for dry chips to even start smokin. This box sits on top of the grill and gets going quickly enough for steaks or burgers to benefit.

I use dry, Tom. Looking forward to trying a tri-tip or something. My electric smoker just isn't that wonderful compared to the old New Braunfels I had. I may have to steal that thing back from the dude I sold it to.

The hat rocks. Would have been perfect as a high schooler, rolling joints in the park at night.

Maybe some of the noCal boys have a use for one?

Naw man, that's why I only lit up when the moon was full.