Re: [CH] Alarm Rating by/for CHs

Dave Sacerdote (davesas@tiac.net)
Wed, 16 Dec 1998 09:45:55 -0500

>There has been some recent references to CH alarm ratings.  I don't know if
>there has been a previous thread to the subject, but I would be interested in
>the personal opinions of CHs as to:

>1) What they consider the various alarm levels to be (include examples).

Personally, I only use an "alarm" rating as a scale for that particular
chile-and-meat combination known as "chili".  Following American Firehouse
tradition, I use from 1-Alarm to 5-Alarm; there is also a special rating
reserved for only the most mild and innocuous chilis: "False Alarm".

>2) And what is your own typical preference/range.

Well, I can't consider myself a "pepper wuss" anymore, but I still
prefer my chili on the mild side, about a 2- or maybe 3-alarm.  I always
make it milder than that for the family - my wife and daughter don't
really care to build any tolerance for El Grande - and then add fire to
my own servings.

>3)  Also, is 5-alarm the absolute limit? --as implied by some messages.

It's arbitrary, I guess.

I've never been into the "heat for heat's sake" thing.  And for me, beyond a 
certain point, the heat loses it's pleasurable aspects and becomes just
another obnoxiously dominant taste.  Like eating soup that's been salted
too much.

>4)  If so, what about the really serious chile-off's? -- is there an extended
>range for this situation?
>     (I did mean "chile" - as in pepper.)

Beats me. <g>  Like I said, I only use the "alarm" system to rate
chili-with-an-i.

===
Dave Sacerdote
davesas@tiac.net
"I am so mighty, I do not have to kill you all."  -- Flaming Carrot
Resist or Serve.