Disappointing results?

[TripleB]

It can be very hard to BBQ for two people, especially if your significant other is not that into it. And we are all very critical of what BBQ we put out. I smoked some ribs a couple weeks ago and declared to my family that these were the best ribs I had ever cooked. My kids (college grads and one still in college) said, "dad, that is the first time I've ever heard you say your ribs were good" (and I've been grilling for 40 years). We are all critical of what we do.

I echo what tbob4 said. Cook for a group, throw a party, invite friends over. BBQ is meant to be shared with laughter. It fattens the heart and lightens the soul. Your BBQ will always taste better in a crowd. Try different things or themes. Taco party, BBQ murder mystery, fly mud bugs in a have a crawfish boil, smoke a small pig (Hawaiian Luau), etc. Your wife will love it.

Don't give up. Drive On!!

[Parkin]

I BBQ for 4-6, usually, and the family is definitely into it. For me, it's a mix of zen and art....and as such, just like a song doesn't always come out the way it's intended, the cook, sometimes doesn't come out the way it's intended. In the house and on the pit or grill. Tons of factors involved....quality of raw product, atmospheric conditions, some days the pit is squirrely, some days it's steady as a rock, a little extra rub...etc. We are usually our own harshest critics, which helps us get better, but also screws with our heads. I get it. I have some recipes that I have been cooking for decades that come out better sometimes than at other times. Enjoy the ride and learn something every time you cook. Even when I know something isn't my best cook, my family always cleans they're plates and complains when there isn't any more!

[rickgregory]

I

I echo what tbob4 said. Cook for a group, throw a party, invite friends over. BBQ is meant to be shared with laughter. It fattens the heart and lightens the soul. Your BBQ will always taste better in a crowd. Try different things or themes. Taco party, BBQ murder mystery, fly mud bugs in a have a crawfish boil, smoke a small pig (Hawaiian Luau), etc. Your wife will love it.

This... probably isn't the best year to do all of this. Agreed in principle though. Most BBQ is group food.

[TripleB]

It's called encouragement..... Thank you captain obvious.

[SmokingPat]

Hot on the heels of mentioning my cooking disappointments ...

I wanted to smoke a tri tip roast yesterday, but ran out of time. Decided to cook it 'hot & fast' on the kettle, so it would only take 45-60 minutes. I throw a couple of mesquite chunks on the coals for fun, and put the meat on.
The meat tasted good! A nice amount of smokiness, and I wasn't reallly trying. 😊

[Stuey1515]

Just something left of centre I'd like to throw in, have a big draw of fresh coffee rounds to reset your sense of smell.
Tried it today and it worked a treat after a beef short rib cook, I could taste the smoke in the cook after all!!

[LA Pork Butt]

If we are talking good verses great, then good frequently and great not so often. Guest frequently tag what I consider good as great. As someone wrote we are our own worst critic. The shower is a good idea. Having guest will provide you with some of feedback some of which is simply being polite and some who really mean it. Remember that good is still good even if it doesn’t measure up to you expectation of greatness.