Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson for October 08, 2021

Calvin likes his burgers well done.

Calvin, you pyromaniac.

“Being boring builds character.”

Why rely on Dad when you can start your own burger joint and do it your own way?

Reading the news some idiot has experienced it-

“But, Dad, the burgers would cook faster…all we’ve have to do is wait for them to land.”

Sorry Calvin, it makes the burgers taste bad.

Calvin likes his burgers well done.

Back in the days when a BBQ was a pan of coals. Not like today’s outdoor kitchen.

Lighter fluid leaves a bad taste. Try barrel strength bourbon

Where is the liquid oxygen when you need it?

Tony accidentally did that when he had his panic attack on the first episode of THE SOPRANOS!

I’m looking forward to winter when Calvin creates those snow monsters.

Calvin would like Roger Foxtrot as a Dad.

On the other hand, if you were invited to other comedians BBQs such as [the late] Chris Farley or Chevy Chase of National Lampoon Vacation, that fireball with the lighter fluid would have been a guaranteed and expected feature of the afternoon.

Must you always be thinking of mischief, Calvin? ;/

Calvin needs to hang around with Beavis (from Beavis and Butthead) who also has a thing for fire. It would be a heck of a crossover. Since Hank Hill is from Beavis’ town in TX perhaps he could try to convince Calvin’s dad to convert over to propane for his BBQ as well but IMHO those burgers taste much better over the coals rather than the propane even if you use the lava rocks in the gas grill.

it would cook faster!

Homer Simpson actually did that

I have always felt a great affinity for Calvin. So let me give you another thing you shouldn’t do. You know those butane BBQ lighters? Even when you think they’re all used up, don’t hit the glass vial with a hammer while it’s sitting on a rock. Even empty, they explode and the flying glass could hurt someone.

He needs to slide over to Foxtrot when they’re cooking out. That can get pretty exciting.

Calvin’s on fire today.

Here’s the deal Calvin. Dad’s have to set a good example. Uncles, on the other hand, would “flame on” in a heart beat. The confusing part is, one kids Dad might well be another kids Uncle. Being “Dad” is hard.

Nothing like aromatic hydrocarbons to put some snap in your burgers.

Considering his Son’s intelligence and proclivities, that’s a rather condescending and paternal look on dad’s face in panel 2.

Future crematory operator walking away there

Watch our eyebrows disappear!

Uh, why is the hibachi down on the ground? Who’s going to be the first to trip over it? A fun time for all.

Sounds like a good idea for a gender reveal party.

Talk to Roger Fox, Calvin!

To be fair, I would probably a) consider it but b) suggest it for a time when we weren’t trying to make food.

https://www.gocomics.com/arloandjanis/2008/10/15

Lighter fluid on hot charcoal will make a nice flare. When I was a kid, our neighbor would do that once in a while for the entertainment value. For a real fireball you need to light it with gasoline, like my dad would.

First time with the old school Weber grill, he fills a 1 liter beaker with briquettes, then tops it to the brim with gasoline and keeps topping it off as the gas soaks in. He then fishes the gas-soaked briquettes out, puts them in the Weber, piles on more charcoal, then says “what the heck” and pours the rest of the gasoline over the pile.

My neighbor and his youngest son are watching, never coming closer than 50 feet. My mom says “hold on a minute Peter, let me see if the fire department takes reservations,” and goes back inside. My dad just rolls his eyes and flips a lit match in.

WHOMP!

I was knocked back a step by the shockwave and the pillar of flame that rose skyward seemed biblical in proportions, at least to my 7-year old perspective. My neighbor and his son are watching the fire rise is slack-jawed awe. Thankfully my dad had placed the grill clear of any overhanging trees and there was not enough wind to blow the flames towards anything else combustible – you know, like our house.

Once the initial shock and awe wore off, my dad says “a little less gas next time.” 15 minutes later, we’ve got burgers and hot dogs grilling away. No aftertaste either – gasoline is volatile enough that is all burns off quite rapidly. My dad kept lighting the grill with gas for as long as I lived there. Personally, I use wax lighters, especially after I got my Kamado Joe. A bit slower, but no risk of becoming a statistic.

Calvin’s last comment here reminds me of his first comment in another strip. He says to Hobbes, “You know how boring Dad is. Maybe that’s just his cover.” He goes on to suggest that Dad is really a superhero who just pretends to have a very boring life as many superheroes do. Hobbes wasn’t very impressed with this idea.

This sure is not the home of Hank Hill, with propane and a propane grill.

Now if his dad were Homer Simpson, Calvin probably wouldn’t need to ask! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ibwIDpap3g

Use enough accelerant to start the coals (I use an electric coal starter), then NEVER add additional accelerant by squirting (or tossing a sealed container as described here) onto hot coals. Burn treatment is very painful and plastic surgery extremely expensive.

If Dad would do some of this stuff, Calvin wouldn’t have to.

Calvin should go visit Fox Trot.

Calvin should go visit Fox Trot.

And your burger now tastes like lighter fluid. Happy now, Brat?

At least dad is a dad not a falling down drunk!

No… thanks to Calvin, Dad has high insurance premiums.

Calvin looks at the thrills, but does not consider the consequences.

A friend of mine’s dad used gasoline to start the barbecue. It’s really too volatile but it’s sure fun.

Aren’t giant fireballs something you do to start the grill? Calvin needs to arrive earlier.

My Drunken Pops was far from boring when I was a kid. He taught me how to burn up Maggots in the bottom of trash cans. Hair Spray blow torches and burning gas down the gutter. Hey Gas was cheap in the 60’s.

Calvin, you’ll have to go over to old man Crankshaft’s for that kind of action.

Fella your father understands you, indeed.

He needs the dad from Foxtrot.

I like my burgers to not taste like lighter fluid

My dad might have done it. Crazy guy. This is what he does when Mum isn’t around.