Recently, I came across a new but used Pit Boss pellet grill, that was destined for the dumpster. It had been returned to a local store, and they don't resell used grills, they trash them. After being ensured that I could take it home, I loaded it up. After removing the "Trash" markings on it in spray paint, I dumped the old pellets and put in some fresh ones, and fired it up. It ran like a top. Not sure why it was returned, but I was glad to have saved it, as it was only about three months old. After finishing cleaning it up, and answering multiple inquiries from my wife on the issue of what I was going to do with it and why I needed another grill, I thought about my nephew. He has Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism. Through his struggles, he has discovered cooking as his outlet, and he's very good at it. After remembering his father being up at the house a few weeks back and showing interest in my Smokefire, I gave them a call to see if they were interested in it, since the price was right. 
I rolled up to their house with it the next week, and the reaction of my nephew was nothing short of miraculous, at least to me. The boy who couldn't look you in the eye and wouldn't say three words to me was gone, and was replace by a young man very engaged and developing an interest in a new hobby. I showed them how to do the basic setup, gave a few pointers, and gave him an extra Maverick instant read thermometer that I had, and a bag of pellets to get him started.
That was a few weeks ago, fast forward to yesterday evening, when we were down for a family get-together for Father's Day. He cooked us chicken, burgers, and steak on his new grill, and everything came out great. They have actually use the grill several times prior and have had great results with it. I gave him a few pointers along the way, but he did most of it, and did a great job. What made it even better, was that I found out that their old grill had just taken a dump a few weeks prior. Timing was perfect. While they said that they were grateful for the grill, I felt even more grateful and blessed for being in the position to be able to help them out. Just goes to show, you never know what will make a difference to somebody in their life. Below is a pic of the grill after cleanup. Can you believe that this was going to be trashed?
Charlie
I rolled up to their house with it the next week, and the reaction of my nephew was nothing short of miraculous, at least to me. The boy who couldn't look you in the eye and wouldn't say three words to me was gone, and was replace by a young man very engaged and developing an interest in a new hobby. I showed them how to do the basic setup, gave a few pointers, and gave him an extra Maverick instant read thermometer that I had, and a bag of pellets to get him started.
That was a few weeks ago, fast forward to yesterday evening, when we were down for a family get-together for Father's Day. He cooked us chicken, burgers, and steak on his new grill, and everything came out great. They have actually use the grill several times prior and have had great results with it. I gave him a few pointers along the way, but he did most of it, and did a great job. What made it even better, was that I found out that their old grill had just taken a dump a few weeks prior. Timing was perfect. While they said that they were grateful for the grill, I felt even more grateful and blessed for being in the position to be able to help them out. Just goes to show, you never know what will make a difference to somebody in their life. Below is a pic of the grill after cleanup. Can you believe that this was going to be trashed?
Charlie
) is a child with autism. Therefore, this story really hit home for me. I have to give you some pretty huge kudos for doing this for your nephew. I hope the guy has the time of his life cooking on that grill. And I hope you keep the memories described in your post fresh in your mind for the rest of your days.
