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Charcoal or Gas?
Posted on 4/29/09 at 1:47 am
Posted on 4/29/09 at 1:47 am
I have owned charcoal grills for years, never succumbing to the temptation to get quick results. I have always thought charcoal grilled food tasted better.
I'm in the market for a new grill, and for the first time I am tempted to buy a gas grill. Help me out: what are the pro's/con's of gas and charcoal? I will follow our hallowed board's advice.
I'm in the market for a new grill, and for the first time I am tempted to buy a gas grill. Help me out: what are the pro's/con's of gas and charcoal? I will follow our hallowed board's advice.
10
Posted on 4/29/09 at 2:46 am to slaughlin
I go with gas. Its just so much easier. It doesn't have the smoky taste of the charcoal, but for everyday, quick meals it does the job just fine.
However, I do want to try a Big Green Egg and see what all the fuss is about.
However, I do want to try a Big Green Egg and see what all the fuss is about.
Posted on 4/29/09 at 3:45 am to Dalai Lama
I go with Charcoal for steaks and Traeger for just about everything else. I just can't do the gas anymore after charcoal and wood pellets. My brother has the Green Egg and it rocks - great grill but I love my Traeger.
Posted on 4/29/09 at 5:23 am to slaughlin
I use charcoal and/or hardwood. I don't care to use gas.
Posted on 4/29/09 at 6:27 am to slaughlin
i use charcoal and very much prefer it to gas. for me, charcoal provides a better flavor.
Posted on 4/29/09 at 6:58 am to Eddie Vedder
Not only do i think charcoal tastes better, i love the feeling of stacking, lighter fluid, let my neighbors get jealous as they smell the smoke, break down the pile at the right time, wait a few more minutes while me and my buddies talk about what a good fire it is, then cook to perfection.
Posted on 4/29/09 at 6:59 am to slaughlin
Nothing beats charcoal: the even heat, the ability to go indirect and control heat with air, hell...even the process of loading the chimney, lighting it, waiting for the coals to get hot while sucking on beers...it can't be beat.
But gas has it's place. It's good because it's fast...and sometime you need fast. I would recommend doing your research and not going cheap. Gas grills tend to have cool spots. Webers have a good reputation (go figure) - the ones I've cooked on were hot corner-to-corner, but they're on the pricey end.
But gas has it's place. It's good because it's fast...and sometime you need fast. I would recommend doing your research and not going cheap. Gas grills tend to have cool spots. Webers have a good reputation (go figure) - the ones I've cooked on were hot corner-to-corner, but they're on the pricey end.
Posted on 4/29/09 at 7:12 am to ksayetiger
quote:
Not only do i think charcoal tastes better, i love the feeling of stacking, lighter fluid, let my neighbors get jealous as they smell the smoke, break down the pile at the right time, wait a few more minutes while me and my buddies talk about what a good fire it is, then cook to perfection
I actually have a charcoal and a gas grill. If time is a factor I cook on the gas grill......if I am more concerned about taste, etc. I go with the ol' charcoal grill....
Posted on 4/29/09 at 8:10 am to Auburntiger
I have both and use the gas for slow cooking, rotisserie and veggies because i can control the temps better. If I want that smokey taste i add wood chips to a smoker box. The charcoal is great for steaks, burgers and chicken but I wouldn't want to do without my gas grill.
Posted on 4/29/09 at 8:11 am to CC
i always preferred charcoal. however, they did a survey and they voted that beef was better on charcoal and that pork was better on gas. i thought it would have been opposite.
Posted on 4/29/09 at 8:29 am to slaughlin
The correct answer is to own both. You can't duplicate the taste of charcoal, but time or weather doesn't always allow breaking out the charcoal pit. Gas is a great alternative.
I can cook steaks on my gas grill during the week in the time it would take me to light the charcoal pit. Very little clean up. I don't have to battle the weather during the winter.
But when I have the time and the weather cooperates, it's the charcoal pit every time.
I can cook steaks on my gas grill during the week in the time it would take me to light the charcoal pit. Very little clean up. I don't have to battle the weather during the winter.
But when I have the time and the weather cooperates, it's the charcoal pit every time.
Posted on 4/29/09 at 10:45 am to JustSmokin
I'm a charcoal only person. Do any of you use lump? It seems to get a little hotter per amount.
Posted on 4/29/09 at 12:01 pm to slaughlin
Overall, you can't beat charcoal; however, for grilling (not Bar-B-Q'ing) burgers, fish, boneless chicken, steaks, etc., I really like my gas grill.
You can't just buy a cheap grill though. I have a Ducane which is not the very best, but it is quite good. I've found that a few hundred extra dollars is well worth it when purchasing a gas grill.
You can't just buy a cheap grill though. I have a Ducane which is not the very best, but it is quite good. I've found that a few hundred extra dollars is well worth it when purchasing a gas grill.
Posted on 4/29/09 at 12:16 pm to CPT 8ch
Gas connected to your house’s natural gas is hard to beat. And I really don’t see what all the fuss is about concerning charcoal. You want smoke flavor? Just get some wood chips and throw em in a smoke box. Bam.
During the summer I cook on my grill probably 4+ nights a week and at least two nights during the winter. I don’t see the need to spend an extra hour of starting and cleanup + mess every time I cook
During the summer I cook on my grill probably 4+ nights a week and at least two nights during the winter. I don’t see the need to spend an extra hour of starting and cleanup + mess every time I cook
Posted on 4/29/09 at 12:21 pm to Coon
quote:
I don’t see the need to spend an extra hour of starting and cleanup + mess every time I cook
this is a bit exaggerated. it takes 15/20 tops to light my charcoal and have it in the pit. if you use a chimney, it is simple and fast.
i do agree that gas has a role. but, most of what i do is BBQ (indirect heat/smoke) not grilling. there is no substitute for charcoal/lump if you are BBQing.
even when i grill, i don't mind lighting the charcoal. to me, it is just part of the process; sitting outside, beer in hand, smelling the coals as they catch fire. i don't want to trade that experience for speed/convenience.
This post was edited on 4/29/09 at 12:22 pm
Posted on 4/29/09 at 12:27 pm to Eddie Vedder
without discussing "feelings" there's little difference until you get to huge tow behind log burning bbq's used in cook-offs.
Posted on 4/29/09 at 12:32 pm to Coon
quote:
without discussing "feelings" there's little difference until you get to huge tow behind log burning bbq's used in cook-offs.
so, are you suggesting that BBQing ribs, brisket, or pork butt on a gas grill (which really isn't BBQ at all), in your mind, is the equivalent to cooking them on, say, a Weber Kettle using indirect heat and charcoal? if so, there is no way i believe that.
This post was edited on 4/29/09 at 12:33 pm
Posted on 4/29/09 at 12:38 pm to Eddie Vedder
tell me the dif:
smoke: both
temp: same
indirect heat: same
...
smoke: both
temp: same
indirect heat: same
...
Posted on 4/29/09 at 12:45 pm to Coon
You can technically bbq on a gas grill as long as you add wood chips. I prefer charcoal myself. I have a Weber Performer that comes with a gas assist to light the coals and an ash sweeper to dispose of the ashes. To me nothing is more satisfying than tending to a bed of charcoal to keep my temps where I want them. And the taste can't be compared.
Posted on 4/29/09 at 12:46 pm to Dalai Lama
I use to say charcoal but I've moved on and gas is much easier and it can cook your steak perfect
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