THINGS I CAN RECOMMEND:

[easyazon_infoblock align=”none” identifier=”B01B3MW7CC” locale=”US” tag=”backyardmov05-20″] – This is a great screen to help you movie your movies into the great outdoors.  It will allow you to do both rear and front projection.

[easyazon_infoblock align=”none” identifier=”B01MUAGZ49″ locale=”US” tag=”backyardmov05-20″] – We have a Nintendo Switch and it is pretty incredible.  Nintendo has blended portable gaming with household gaming without sacrificing quality.  There are a lot of game titles out now that are limited to just Nintendo, so if you have been away from Nintendo for a bit, there is plenty to keep you busy.

[easyazon_infoblock align=”none” identifier=”B01N1037CV” locale=”US” tag=”backyardmov05-20″] – If you bought a switch this game is a must have!  Get two more controllers, set it up on the projector and you have a night full of fun for bother adults and kids.  The game offers driving assist, so even the youngest kid or drunkest uncle can play along!

[easyazon_infoblock align=”none” identifier=”B00SNBCBGE” locale=”US” tag=”backyardmov05-20″] – I am a huge fan of the Ion portable speakers and my guests continue to be impressed whenever they hear the quality of the sound coming from it.

[easyazon_infoblock align=”none” identifier=”B00P2XZKZ0″ locale=”US” tag=”backyardmov05-20″] – GCI has made a lot of happy customers and I am one of them I can’t recommend enough. It comes in other colors too!

[easyazon_infoblock align=”none” identifier=”B00T1W88SY” locale=”US” tag=”backyardmov05-20″] – I love them! I absolutely love them! Easy to clean, easy to hold, this is my go to glass for beer and any other liquid I want to keep hot or cold.

[easyazon_infoblock align=”none” identifier=”B00I8HZNX6″ locale=”US” tag=”backyardmov05-20″] – They will never see this gift coming and I promise you it will be a hit.  Everywhere we go with this set of bocce balls it is a huge hit.  A great way to pass the time before the movie starts or keep the fun going after the movie ends.

[easyazon_infoblock align=”none” identifier=”B00K6HRWXA” locale=”US” tag=”backyardmov05-20″] – Everybody loves Cornhole, these boards are serious construction and will handle any abuse you can throw at them.  I am very happy with my set. 

[easyazon_infoblock align=”none” identifier=”B000CLMSV6″ locale=”US” tag=”backyardmov05-20″] – Truly a gift for the person that has everything else, this set is a really nice way to round out your backyard sports complex.  They also happen to be made by a group of really good people. 

[easyazon_infoblock align=”none” identifier=”B00QZ5CV10″ locale=”US” tag=”backyardmov05-20″] – This machine is amazing, so much better than I had expected.  It doesn’t really matter the model, they are all good.

[easyazon_infoblock align=”none” identifier=”B01CCHXXHA” locale=”US” tag=”backyardmov05-20″] – I would be remiss if I didn’t include at least one cooking item.  The Joetisserie continues to impress me and the fact that it is compatible with so many Kamado style cookers makes it a very versatile tool.

Kodiak Solar Generator –  Yes it is expensive (My Review Here), but this thing makes your movie setup (and almost anything else in your life requiring electricity) truly portable and it is also very handy for emergencies too.  If you buy direct from Ingery (CLICK HERE) with Coupon Code “Backyard” and save 20% on your entire purchase.

THINGS I WOULD WANT:  

[easyazon_infoblock align=”none” identifier=”B01N5OKGLH” locale=”US” tag=”backyardmov05-20″] – This game has not been released yet, but it is going to be HUGE.  All the kids are talking about it, save yourself a few bucks and pre-order it now.  It will be out on 7 Dec 2018 and would make a great stocking stuffer.   If know kids (or adults) with a Switch, they want this game.

[easyazon_infoblock align=”none” identifier=”B00EWCUK1Q” locale=”US” tag=”backyardmov05-20″] – Not really for outdoor use, but we have some friends that have these and the sound is pretty dynamite.  Being able to control it with Alexa makes it even slicker, I am starting to think pushing buttons is for suckers.

[easyazon_infoblock align=”none” identifier=”B071P6KQZH” locale=”US” tag=”backyardmov05-20″] – I would love to make the switch to 4K and I have come to appreciate Optoma’s quality.

[easyazon_infoblock align=”none” identifier=”B079QHML21″ locale=”US” tag=”backyardmov05-20″] – I have been very impressed with my first gen First Stick, I can only imagine it keeps getting better.  If I am going to have a 4K projector, I need 4K material to show.

[easyazon_infoblock align=”none” identifier=”B075XLWML4″ locale=”US” tag=”backyardmov05-20″] – While I think the Fire Stick is a little bit slicker for interface, the ROKU still leads in the amount of content and flexibility it offers.

That concludes my 2018 gift guide. Please let me know if you have any questions by reaching out to me via email for facebook.  Thank you for visiting my little corner of the world and I hope you get to spend your holidays in the company of loved ones. Happy Holidays everybody!

Disclosure: Some of the links on this page may be affiliate links.   If you click on the link and make a purchase, I receive a small percentage of the sale.   My goal is to provide you with my personal experience with products whenever possible and I will always disclose whether or not my knowledgeable is based on the input of others.

BackyardMovies is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

The post 2018 Backyard Movies Gift Guide appeared first on Backyard Movies.

GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker Chair

Bottom Line: The [easyazon_link identifier=”B00D4JYR62″ locale=”US” tag=”backyardmov05-20″]GCI Rocker Chair[/easyazon_link]brings serious comfort in a well-constructed, relatively lightweight, compact package.

So those of you who have been reading this blog know I like to camp.  My wife, she likes camping, but hates….HATES…camping chairs.  You know the ones that foldup like umbrellas.  They never bothered me much, but she insists you just can’t get comfortable in them.  So earlier this year I am at the store and I see these GCI Rocker Chairs and I seen an opportunity to get into her good graces.  When I came home and announced I had a surprise for her, I got the usual skeptical glance wondering what I had drug home this time, but the [easyazon_link identifier=”B00D4JYR62″ locale=”US” tag=”backyardmov05-20″]GCI Rocker Chair[/easyazon_link] soon earned her seal of approval and it got to stay!  We have two chairs now and they go everywhere with us.  With the holidays right around the corner, this might be a great gift for the person in your life that spends a lot of time watching backyard movies, camping, tailgating or maybe spending time at the soccer fields.

Hydraulics!

Design:  The fundamental design is based on a director’s chair, which offers a more rigid bottom and back than the traditional camping chair.  Setup and teardown is as simple as forcing the arms apart to setup and pulling them together to teardown.  So while the chair will not get as compact as traditional folding chair, it lays very flat and stacks well.

The real genius of this chair is that is maintains a lot of contact with the ground, it is hydraulics built into the back that allow you to rock.  The beautiful thing about this design is that you never feel like you are going to tip over or go too far.  This is especially important for a portable chair like this that might be used on a less than level surface.  We use them all the time in a friend’s slightly sloped driveway and I have never felt like I am going to take a tumble.  Even camping around roots, rocks, gravel, etc. I haven’t had any fear I am going to take a tumble.   It does help the rocking motion if you can plant your feet on the ground and kind of push off the ground, but you can also throw your weight back as well.  If you are of shorter stature or really like weight, like a child, rocking in this chair might be more difficult. The only thing my wife says she wishes she could add would be the ability to stay lock yourself into the reclined position.

Construction:  The [easyazon_link identifier=”B00D4JYR62″ locale=”US” tag=”backyardmov05-20″]GCI Rocker[/easyazon_link] is made of metal, plastic, and cloth.  It isn’t going to feel like rock solid like a wooden bench, but I do think the chair is built to last.  We will have to see how the hydraulics hold up, but after 6 months of pretty heavy use, I haven’t noticed any slipping at all in that department.  The fabric is a heavy-duty canvas that I think will hold up well to repeated use.  GCI offers a limited lifetime warranty, so they obviously feel like they have built a durable product.  There are a few nicks from being tossed in the back of the truck, but they look pretty close to new.  We have spilled a few things on the seat and it hasn’t stained, most things wipe right off, which also helps to keep it looking nice.  My wife has had kids climb up into her lap a few times while we were watching movies and I never feared the chair would collapse under their weight, it never even strained.  GCI suggests a 250lb weight limit which is pretty outstanding for a small chair.  Finally, we have done a pretty good job of keeping these out of the weather, mostly because we didn’t want to have wet butts, but I don’t think an occasional sprinkle is going to cause this chair to crumble.

Folds up compactly

The durable construction does come at the cost of some added weight, each unit weighs ~12lbs, so perfect for car camping and short walks to the ballfield, not so great for hiking.

Features: I struggled to come up with a good name for this category, because it is a chair you know, there isn’t a whole heck of a lot you can add!  The GCI Rocker does feature a cup holder…ooo aaa, but it is nice to keep your drink off the ground and out of your lap.  The cup holder is really only big enough for a standard 12 oz can and it isn’t real rigid, so you won’t want to put anything in it that has a big opening or is very full.  There is also a handle sewn onto one of the arms that allow you to carry the chair.  I have schlepped these chairs all around and I can’t detect any tearing or weakening of the stitching.  Also the chairs does a really good job of staying closed when it is closed, so having just one handle is adequate. Really, the biggest “feature” is it is darn comfortable.  Where in traditional camping chairs you kind of collapse into the confines of the chair, the GCI rocker gives you plenty of support and a gentle rocking motion.

Solid Construction

Pros:

Lightweight

Portable

Durable

Stable

Comfortable

Cons:

More expensive than traditional camping chairs

Heavier than other camp chairs

Not as compact as other camp chairs

Less than ideal cupholder

You can’t stay in the reclined position

Might be difficult rock if you are small

Conclusion: This chair was a total winner at my house!  We of course use them for outdoor movies, but we also take them camping, to the park, get togethers, etc.  Let me tell you they are a hot commodity wherever we go and I usually have to evict a squatter who wanted to give it a try and refuses to willingly give it up.  Definitely give the GCI Rocker a try, I think you will be happy you did.

[easyazon_infoblock align=”none” identifier=”B00D4JYR62″ locale=”US” tag=”backyardmov05-20″]

Disclosure: Some of the links on this page may be affiliate links.   If you click on the link and make a purchase, I receive a small percentage of the sale.   My goal is to provide you with my personal experience with products whenever possible and I will always disclose whether or not my knowledgeable is based on the input of others.

BackyardMovies is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

The post GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker Chair appeared first on Backyard Movies.

Blackstone Dash Grill/Griddle

I absolutely love my Blackstone Pizza Oven and after reading so many great reviews, I have been coveting the Blackstone Griddles for some time.  A deal popped up on the Blackstone Dash Grill/Griddle and I jumped because I couldn’t justify the full-sized griddle and I would looking for something a little smaller that I could take camping.  I used this grill for the first time while we were camping. We were staying in bear country, so I had to put the grill away every night and became very well versed with the setup of this little system.  We cooked on it for a week solid and I only fell more and more in love with it.

Design:  The [easyazon_link identifier=”B00TH3CWXY” locale=”US” tag=”backyardmov05-20″]Blackstone Dash Grill/Griddle[/easyazon_link] is very, very well designed.  It offers 240 Square Inches of cooking surface, which I think is just enough for feeding a family of 4. The Dash is probably not a great fit for large families due to the limited size.  The Dash Grill has a 7000 BTU burner located right under the griddle, there are holes on the bottom half of the grill that will allow you to see the burner is lit.  The grill/griddle has a spout that leads to a small grease collector that hooks onto the front of the grill.  This is great for cleanup, because you can just wipe debris into the grease collector.  Portable propane canisters screw onto the regulator that is on the right side of the grill, with a knob that allows you to adjust the strength of the flame.

Handle/Grill Leg

The [easyazon_link identifier=”B00TH3CWXY” locale=”US” tag=”backyardmov05-20″]Blackstone Dash Grill/Griddle[/easyazon_link] has two legs in the front that are easy to remove and break into 2 parts.  There is a space for you to store these parts under the grill and it is easy to add and remove them from that area.  There third leg is the telescoping handle that locks into place, this tripod design is surprisingly stable.  There are also two wheels at the bottom the grill, which when in used in concert with the handle allow you to pull the grill behind you.

Construction:  The grill isn’t particularly solidly constructed, but it is adequately constructed and felt sturdy cooking on it.  I don’t think it would stand up to being left out in the elements indefinitely, it is much better suited for being used then stored out of the elements.  The lighter construction also means lighter weight which makes it more portable.  The nonstick grill/griddle is heavyweight enough to do the job and doesn’t seem susceptible to breaking.  I was warned that the grill/griddle can be scratched easily and you need to be very cautious to ensure that doesn’t happen.     

Cleaning:  The Blackstone Dash’s non-stick grill/griddle is a god send!  We cooked on this grill for a week and in most cases I was able to clean it using just a damp paper towel.  So long as the non-stick surface stays intact, I think cleaning will remain reasonably easy.

Cooking: Cooking on the Blackstone Dash Grill/Griddle was a lot of fun to use and there weren’t any obvious hotspots.  Since the Grill/Griddle is solid piece (vs grates), the grease doesn’t leak into the flames so there are no flareups.  We loaded up the grill at various times and everything cooked very evenly.  My wife’s one complaint was that there isn’t a prep space or place to store items will you are loading up the grill, so you do require an extra table.

Stable Setup

Pros:

Lightweight

Portable

Easy to Clean

Consistent Heat

Cons:

Lightweight Construction

Susceptible to Scratching

No Preparation Space

Conclusion: The Blackstone Grill/Griddle is a fantastic addition to my stable of grills/smokers.  This little device is the perfect solution for camping, tailgating, or cooking out at the park.  It offers a lot of bang for the buck!

Propane Regulator

[easyazon_infoblock align=”none” identifier=”B00TH3CWXY” locale=”US” tag=”backyardmov05-20″]

Disclosure: Some of the links on this page may be affiliate links.   If you click on the link and make a purchase, I receive a small percentage of the sale.   My goal is to provide you with my personal experience with products whenever possible and I will always disclose whether or not my knowledgeable is based on the input of others.

BackyardMovies is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

The post Blackstone Dash Grill/Griddle Review appeared first on Backyard Movies.

PLOT: This brilliant movie takes place in Japan during a time when there is a virus that has infected many dogs, resulting in the government banishing all canines to the Isle of Dogs, formally a trash heap.  A lone human, travels to the Isle of Dogs to search for his four-legged companion, and is joined in his journey by a pack of other neglected animals. [easyazon_image align=”none” height=”500″ identifier=”B07C4825LL” locale=”US” src=”http://www.backyardmovies.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/51WHi8UsHTL.jpg” tag=”backyardmov05-20″ width=”375″]

CONTENT: This is not intended to be a movie for children, it has some very adult themes (conspiracies, animal testing, murder, revenge), adult dialogue, and adult language (bitch…but it is a dog movie and technically correct).  However, if you have older children (8 years old +) they will be able to follow many of the main themes and there isn’t anything I would be overly concerned about.  As the movie takes place in Japan, there is the use of a lot of Japanese which is often translated in text, which can make it difficult to follow for audience members who are too young to read.

CINEMATOGRAPHY: This is a visually stunning movie, done in stop motion animation, that lends itself well to big screen.  This film is perfectly suited for a back yard movie party.  Even with my Optoma HD141x, films with a lot of blacks and shadows can be difficult to see, this film is filled with browns but is bright and vibrant and is a blast to watch on a big screen.

CAST: This is an amazing cast of 49, that provides the voices for the movie, heavier hitters like Bryan Cranston, Bill Murray, Live Schrieber, Ed Norton, Scarlett Johansson.

I really, really, liked this movie and it had everything that I love about Wes Anderson movies.  If you are fan of his work, you will also be a fan of this movie.  This movie is a great option for outdoor movie nights when you are hosting a wide range of audiences or if you have any audience that is looking for a little something different.

[easyazon_infoblock align=”none” identifier=”B07C4825LL” locale=”US” tag=”backyardmov05-20″]

Disclosure: Some of the links on this page may be affiliate links.   If you click on the link and make a purchase, I receive a small percentage of the sale.   My goal is to provide you with my personal experience with products whenever possible and I will always disclose whether or not my knowledgeable is based on the input of others.

BackyardMovies is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

The post A Backyard Movies Review – Isle of Dogs appeared first on Backyard Movies.

This is a good all-purpose sauce.

Wee Willy’s is headquartered out of this area and their claim to fame is having won the Jack Daniel’s World Championship Barbecue Sauce competition otherwise known as “The Jack”.  In 2008 Bon Appetite listed them as one of their top five sauces in the July Barbecue edition.  You can find out more about them at Wee Willy’s website, which is still under construction.

Consistency:  This sauce has a good consistency, not too thick, not too thin, very much in the middle of the road.  The consistency makes it a very versatile sauce, appropriate for a variety of different meats.

Flavor:  This sauce had a flavor that I think will be pleasing to a variety of palates.  It is relatively sweet, which I am a fan of.  There is also a boldness to the sauce, a little smokiness and just a hint of spice.  We ate it with a beef dish and it held up well, I think it would be really great with chicken or on a pulled pork sandwich.

Where to buy:  I couldn’t find any online vendors that carry this product, so I think you will have to contact them through their website to order.

Conclusion: 4/5 this is a great all-around sauce and it doesn’t surprise me that it placed well at a major competition as I think it would appeal to a diverse number of palates.  Because it is so versatile, I would keep it in my cupboard because it will work well with just about anything.

Disclosure: Some of the links on this page may be affiliate links.   If you click on the link and make a purchase, I receive a small percentage of the sale.   My goal is to provide you with my personal experience with products whenever possible and I will always disclose whether or not my knowledgeable is based on the input of others.

BackyardMovies is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

The post Wee Willy’s World Champion BBQ Sauce – A Review appeared first on Backyard Movies.

I think the Kodiak Solar Generator is the best portable Solar Generator on the market right now.

I have owned mine for a few months now and have put it through its paces to find any limitations.

Get 20% Off your Own Kodiak Solar Generator with Discount Code “Backyard”

What have you done?

I have used the Kodiak to run my Margarita machine, cranking out pitcher, after pitcher of delicious drinks.

I have used it to power my camper when we accidentally left the lights on too long and ran the onboard batteries down too low.

I have used it camping to power my mobile outdoor movie setup.

I have charged my Kodiak with Solar Panels, didn’t even need a charge controller because there is one built in.

Solar Panels charging Inergy Kodiak Solar Generator

The generator performed splendidly each and every time.

There are always doubters

I recently had a discussion on social media with someone that was questioning the wisdom of spending so much on the Kodiak Solar Generator.  He was of the opinion that a portable solar generator is something that would be needed very rarely and he felt that he could provide a system of similar utility with a deep charge battery and an inverter for a fraction of the cost.

The thing is, I suspect the he is probably right, but that doesn’t tell the whole story.

The other side of the story

The Kodiak offers a variety of benefits that make me believe it is simply the best portable solar generator around.

• It is lightweight and comes in a solidly built compact container, my lighter than the Goal Zero version
• It has a ton of outlet options for all kinds of devices
• I don’t have to worry about discharging it too much, because it will shut itself down so I can set it and forget it
• I don’t have to worry about overcharging it, because it has a built-in charge controller
• It just works…plain and simple

The last one is a big one because as I get a little older I have come to appreciate my time a little more.  There is something to be said for being able to plug and play, particularly in an emergency when you might have a lot on your plate.  My experience so far, has proved to me that I can trust the Kodiak.  Finally, because the Kodiak Generator is so easy to use, I am more inclined to find uses for it.  Since I know it is capable of thousands of recharge cycles before wearing out, there is no reason for me not to find reasons to use it.

Now there might be better solar generators around, but I wouldn’t know about that.  I needed portability and in that department the Kodiak really shines.  By staying under 20lbs, the Kodiak is designed to be the best PORTABLE solar generator, it also has a really sturdy handle and comes with very robust mounts for a shoulder strap.

So I would say if portable solar energy is something that interests you, you can’t go wrong with buying a Kodiak generator to get your system started.  While there are alternatives and DIY options, I don’t have any regrets about the money I spent on mine.

Get 20% Off your Own Kodiak Solar Generator with Discount Code “Backyard”

Disclosure: Some of the links on this page may be affiliate links.   If you click on the link and make a purchase, I receive a small percentage of the sale.   My goal is to provide you with my personal experience with products whenever possible and I will always disclose whether or not my knowledgeable is based on the input of others.

The post Inergy Kodiak-The Best Portable Solar Generator appeared first on Backyard Movies.

• Age appropriate for kids from 8 – 12
• Movies the kids had not already seen
• Movies that would keep the adults entertained

My strategy was to reach back to movies from my youth, figuring the odds were good that the kids hadn’t seen many of these movies that were 30+ years old (I was correct).  Even though we didn’t make it through them all I figured I would share my list in case it helps you prepare for your own summer screenings.

[easyazon_link identifier=”B000P0J09W” locale=”US” tag=”backyardmov05-20″]Goonies[/easyazon_link] (PG 1985) – This movie is about a group of kids who go on a big adventure in search of a pirate’s lost treasure.  I feel like PG was much more liberal when I was a kid because there was some language and content that was cringe worthy in the first few minutes of the film.  This film never disappoints though and it was a success for us as well. [easyazon_image align=”none” height=”160″ identifier=”B000P0J09W” locale=”US” src=”http://www.backyardmovies.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/6198vp6P7nL.SL160.jpg” tag=”backyardmov05-20″ width=”112″]

[easyazon_link identifier=”B00IQ43BXA” locale=”US” tag=”backyardmov05-20″]Harry and the Hendersons[/easyazon_link] (PG 1987) – In this movie the Hendersons discover a real Bigfoot and adopt it as part of their family, hilarity ensues as they try to keep him a secret.  We didn’t get a chance to watch this one, but I thought it was the perfect film for camping in bigfoot country (the Pacific Northwest) [easyazon_image align=”none” height=”160″ identifier=”B00IQ43BXA” locale=”US” src=”http://www.backyardmovies.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/512qFJauqPL.SL160.jpg” tag=”backyardmov05-20″ width=”120″]

[easyazon_link identifier=”B00M07EI86″ locale=”US” tag=”backyardmov05-20″]Joe Versus the Volcano[/easyazon_link] (PG 1990) – Joe is a poor slub that hates his job and discovers he has an incurable deadly disease.  He accepts an offer to throw himself into a volcano in exchange for living like a king in his final days.  We didn’t get to this one either, but I thought it was particularly timely considering all the activity in Hawaii.   [easyazon_image align=”none” height=”160″ identifier=”B00M07EI86″ locale=”US” src=”http://www.backyardmovies.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/51ZczQH8AsL.SL160.jpg” tag=”backyardmov05-20″ width=”120″]

[easyazon_link identifier=”B001EBV0RG” locale=”US” tag=”backyardmov05-20″]Spies Like Us[/easyazon_link] (PG 1985) – This movie is about two shady government employees who fumble their way through espionage work that near is qualified to perform.  This movie is a real classic and the kids actually enjoyed it as well. [easyazon_image align=”none” height=”160″ identifier=”B001EBV0RG” locale=”US” src=”http://www.backyardmovies.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/51Fx53NtgvL.SL160.jpg” tag=”backyardmov05-20″ width=”120″]

[easyazon_link identifier=”B0764L8TQS” locale=”US” tag=”backyardmov05-20″]The Great Outdoors[/easyazon_link] (PG 1988) – John Candy struggles to have an amazing summer vacation while sharing rustic accommodations with his annoying Brother-in-law (Dan Akroyd).  We didn’t get to this one either, but it is another classic and I know it will be a hit. [easyazon_image align=”none” height=”160″ identifier=”B0764L8TQS” locale=”US” src=”http://www.backyardmovies.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/5163hNaQybL.SL160.jpg” tag=”backyardmov05-20″ width=”120″]

[easyazon_link identifier=”B003V5HX56″ locale=”US” tag=”backyardmov05-20″]What About Bob?[/easyazon_link](PG 1991) – Richard Dreyfuss plays a successful psychotherapist who slowly driven to madness when a needy patient (Bill Murray) tracks him down during his family vacation.  We didn’t get to this one, but it is definitely staying in the rotation. [easyazon_image align=”none” height=”160″ identifier=”B003V5HX56″ locale=”US” src=”http://www.backyardmovies.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/41e5XHDhteL.SL160.jpg” tag=”backyardmov05-20″ width=”120″]

[easyazon_link identifier=”B006PJCTUY” locale=”US” tag=”backyardmov05-20″]The Long Long Trailer[/easyazon_link] (1954) ­– This movie stars Desi Arnes and Lucille Ball as newlyweds who start their honeymoon off in a trailer and hilarity ensues.  Truth be told, I haven’t see this one yet, but it obviously fits the theme of camping.  I am not sure how the kids will take it, at least it was colorized. [easyazon_image align=”none” height=”160″ identifier=”B006PJCTUY” locale=”US” src=”http://www.backyardmovies.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/51O9IKcbJL.SL160.jpg” tag=”backyardmov05-20″ width=”120″]

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[easyazon_infoblock align=”none” identifier=”B006PJCTUY” locale=”US” tag=”backyardmov05-20″]

Disclosure: Some of the links on this page may be affiliate links.   If you click on the link and make a purchase, I receive a small percentage of the sale.   My goal is to provide you with my personal experience with products whenever possible and I will always disclose whether or not my knowledgeable is based on the input of others.

BackyardMovies is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

The post Camping Movies – 2018 appeared first on Backyard Movies.

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Beauty at Sunset

My wife doesn’t like entering dark spaces and I didn’t realize how many lights were being left on inside the camper every night, while we were spending time by the campfire.  By the third night our bright white lights were really more of a dull orange….uh oh.  I checked the battery monitor and sure enough we were on “low”.  This isn’t good I thought, if I let the charge go too low on the deep charge batteries it will actually damage them.  It was now dark outside so I couldn’t count on my solar panel to recharge the batteries and it was after 10pm, so even if I had my Honda generator I couldn’t run it because of park service quiet hours.  I was really getting nervous because we had some systems like the water pump and refrigerator fan that I needed to run through the night that were going to continue to drain the battery.

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Fortunately, I had brought my Kodiak Solar Generator with me.  The Kodiak Solar Generator was designed to support 30 Amp service, so I was able to plug my camper directly into the Kodiak and it immediately began charging the batteries on the camper.  I could leave it plugged in without worry for two reasons: 1) the generator runs silently, so I wasn’t going to break quiet hours. 2) the generator will not allow itself to discharge to the point that it damages the internal battery, so I could rest easy knowing it would shut itself off when it got too low.

Inergy Kodiak Solar Generator plugged into camper

Now the Kodiak Solar Generator wasn’t able to fully recharge both batteries, but when I woke up the next morning, my needed systems had run all night and the Kodiak Solar Generator was able to recharge my batteries from “low” to “fair” which got me out of the danger zone for the deep charge batteries.

The sun was up and the solar panel took over charging the batteries and we learned to be more conservative with our lights and batteries.  The Kodiak Solar Generator might be a luxury, but it delivered when I needed it, and I will enjoy every camping trip a little more knowing it is in my truck.

CLICK HERE TO SAVE 20% ON KODIAK SOLAR GENERATOR AND ACCESSORIES WITH CODE “BACKYARD” 

Disclosure: Some of the links on this page may be affiliate links.   If you click on the link and make a purchase, I receive a small percentage of the sale.   My goal is to provide you with my personal experience with products whenever possible and I will always disclose whether or not my knowledgeable is based on the input of others.

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But today my plans got rained out and I said screw it…I’m gonna work the pit.  I had a hankering for some leftover brisket on nachos, so I decided that even though I was getting a late start, brisket it would be.

Meat: I ran over to the store and bought a 7.5lb brisket flat (I usually buy much larger packers that take much, much  longer to smoke). This flat had a decent flat cap, so I wasn’t to worried about it drying out.

Rinsed, Rubbed, and Ready for the Pit

This time I didn’t stress over the prep, I didn’t even trim, I simply rinsed it, rubbed it, and put it on the smoker.

Rub: I used [easyazon_link identifier=”B00L4MU288″ locale=”US” tag=”backyardmov05-20″]Trader Joe’s BBQ Rub and Seasoning with Coffee & Garlic.[/easyazon_link]  This is a bold rub that can stand up to a smoky beef.  This rub is also pretty good on pork ribs, but I don’t think I would use it on something more delicate like chicken.   

Wood: I had originally planned to smoke a pork shoulder and a brisket at the same time, so I had purchased apple.  The lump charcoal I use is a mesquite, so the apple wood combined with the lump resulted in a smoke flavor that could stand up to the brisket.

Brisket on the Kamado

The Cook: I was targeting 250F for my cook using my Tip Top Temp to maintain temperature.  The weather was a little weird yesterday, cold and raining on and off.  For whatever reason, the smoker ran a little hot (300+F dome temp) throughout and I didn’t try to correct it.  I waited until the meat had an internal temp (IT) of 170F on my thermoworks pen thermometer, then I pulled it and wrapped it.  In the beginning I refused to wrap my brisket, but after a few truly ridiculous stalls, I started wrapping my meat with foil.  After visiting Franklin BBQ in Austin, I saw that Mr. Aaron Franklin uses pink butcher paper.  I ordered some pink butcher paper and this was my first time using it to wrap.  After wrapping, I left it on the grill and checked on it about an hour and half later or so and caught it while the internal temp was 202F.  I pulled the meat immediately and put it in a cooler and let it rest for 90 minutes or so.  Total cook time ended up being around 5.5 hours, which was blazing fast from my previous brisket cooking experiences.

The Verdict: I crushed it! Absolutely amazing, best brisket I have made in a long, long time.  I think the lesson from this cook is sometimes you just have to relax and go for it.  When I have smoked brisket in the past, I would do a huge packer because it was so much work.  What I didn’t realize was it was so much work, because it was so large!  The smaller flat was easier, faster and just as tasty.  Even at 7.5lbs I could still feed quite a few people for a small backyard movie gathering.

If you have been missing your grill or smoker, throw caution to the wind and go for it.  I know for me it definitely feels good to be back!

[easyazon_infoblock align=”none” identifier=”B00L4MU288″ locale=”US” tag=”backyardmov05-20″]

Delicious!

Disclosure: Some of the links on this page may be affiliate links.   If you click on the link and make a purchase, I receive a small percentage of the sale.   My goal is to provide you with my personal experience with products whenever possible and I will always disclose whether or not my knowledgeable is based on the input of others.

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