steak hook

Re: steak hook

Gary Evans, Tallassee, TN

>Very nice, DW.

Which part of hollow turning do you use that for? 8^]

Elm can be quite attractive. Don't know why more people aren't interested in turning it.

Gary

Re: steak hook

DWFII

>Gary,

Thanks. You know, I'm turning some salt and pepper mills right now out of walnut (it may be black walnut...it's uniformly a dark chocolate brown) and to tell the truth it seems, if anything, a bit coarser than the elm. At least, there's just as many pores to fill when finishing as there was in the elm.

I like the elm. It's almost a weed here in the high desert. And messy? To the point of unsightly in some cases. But I wish I had more of it than I do. It's hard enough for handles and I think it will be pretty enough to turn bowls and hfs out of.

And it's not near as tempermental as Bradford pear... a piece of which I cut for a medium size end grain vase and covered (every surface) liberally with anchorseal and which cracked terible three days later.

Bleah! Oh well, pear make good seasoning wood for the smoker.

DW

In the High Desert of Central Oregon

Re: I've never seen a steak hook. How is it used?

Al Crandall --NE of Indy--

>I've never even heard of one before. I thought I knew all I needed to know about steaks, but this is a new one for me.

Re: I've never seen a steak hook. How is it used?

Mike Schwing from Md.

>Al, they're not much discussed because they're kind of mean items. Most people that use them don't much talk about them, for fear of giving themselves away. You've undoubtedly been to a steak house of one sort of another in your life? If so, you've probably heard the telltale sounds of a steak hook being used. It usually sounds something like "Hey, where's my steak?" or "Who took it!". You see, the steak hook is used in combination with distraction. The user will hold it out of sight of his intended victim, and say something like "Hey, there's Bruce Willis!" and while the victim is looking for him, he'll real quick like, swipe that steak right off of the plate with his nice steakhook.

Great skill is needed to avoid detection, and the best steakhook users never go in from the top, for the point striking the metal plates often used in steakhouses makes a telltale sound that gives the move away. Rather they use a controlled underhand twist manuever that has to be seen to be believed.

Re: I've never seen a steak hook. How is it used?

DWFII

>A steak hook is used when barbequing or grilling. Folks that barbeque seriously...like folks that turn wood seriously...have some peculiar but fairly critical techniques and expectations.

Most will put some sort of rub on meat...and expect that a "bark" will develop during cooking. However, at some point the steak has to be turned over. Using tongs or a spatula can knock the bark off.

Hence the steak hook which latches onto a tiny sliver of the meat and the steak is flipped with minimal damage. And no, the hole made by the hook does not allow juices to run out to any significant degree. The hook is sharp so that it need not penetrate the meat but a millimeter or so...otherise you might as well use a sharp stick or even a fork.

I posted that photo on a BBQ forum I look in on and immediately had three offers to purchase. This is from folks who are either competition BBQ'ers or very, very serious about cooking.

Hope that helps....

DW

In the High Desert of Central Oregon

Re: Thanks. I had no idea.

Al Crandall --NE of Indy--

>I recently got a very nice stainless BBQ tool set in its own aluminum carrying case, and even it doesn't have a hook included. The only thing I'm serious about is the eating of the steak. The cooking part is just a necessary waste of time while the meat changes color slightly. I don't believe in rubs or marinades or steak sauces because I don't want to change the flavor of the meat. At a steak house, when I'm asked by the waitress if I want steak sauce, I always reply, "I was hoping your steaks were good enough that I wouldn't need it."

Little wonder that I've always gotten by using tongs. Thanks for the update.

Re: Thanks. I had no idea.

DWFII

>Al,

Even salt and pepper...put on a hour or more before cooking...can be considered a "rub." But I'm with you, I don't like my steaks overcooked or dollied up with sauces. I am partial to rib-eyes or chuck-eyes and don't really even care for any other steak cuts.

But I might add that a steak hook or "BBQ hook" can also used to turn spare and baby back ribs, chicken quarters, etc.. Almost anything but hamburger.

Sorry for all the extranneous info. I posted the photo to show off the spindle work...which, while nothing special IS woodturning. :D

DW

In the High Desert of Central Oregon

Re: I've never seen a steak hook. How is it used?

tek-Brunswick, Ohio

>About 4 years ago my son was at the Defense Information School at Ft. Mead, Maryland. I went and visited him and we went to the steak house. Somebody yelled there goes Bruce Willis. When I turned around my steak was gone. Now I have a good Idea who did it! Well it's true up to the steakhouse part. Are you anywhere near Ft. Mead?