Charcoal Sucks

[Rusty Heap]

Here's your F'd up problem, and it has nothing to do with the grill.

all you want is to be in your backyard with a beer and a hunk of meat to cook? Instead, it’s 6 p.m., you’re at the office, the kids need to eat by 7, and you still have to go to the store.

and yes I'm a gas cooker..............

[Danimal16]

The argument of which is better is simply BS, I like both. It depends on how I feel. Now wood chips and mesquite, yeah that is meat burning delicious!

[aigel]

Originally Posted by Rusty Heap

Here's your F'd up problem, and it has nothing to do with the grill.








and yes I'm a gas cooker..............

^^^
This

G

[TimT]

And you can also become a charcoal snob

Check out White Binchotan charcoal

[VINMAN]

I use both, but prefer charcoal wayyyy over gas. I use both about equal amounts with a slight edge going to charcoal. Definitely a taste difference .

My grills get used as much as my stove and oven year round . I have no problem being out in a blizzard standing over my grills.

[pavulon]

running lump charcoal in an BG Egg...have been unable to make a dry burger or steak...even chicken breasts turn out juicy!! After running gas for years, it was a welcome change!

[nynor]

gas grills are nasty. period. they taste nasty. they are greezy. the meat always tastes like it was basted in some disgusting mix of vaporized and charred animal fat. we had one, because my wife thought she would use it. after two years, used maybe twice, we put it out for neighborhood cleanup. the charcoal grill gets used weekly, even in the winter.

i did give up on the charcoal smoker, after 14 years. i had to replace the smoker and i went electric. best outdoor cooking decision i ever made. cheaper. easier. less babysitting. perfect results every time. less consumption of the wood for smoking (i prefer apple). consistent temperature. easier cleanup.

the above is my .02, YMMV.

[Zeke]

My FIL had one of these in the 60's. The company went away and came back under ownership of a dedicated user.


Barbecue Grills & Charcoal Grills - Barbeque Grills - Watch Video

A couple of years ago my wife saw something about these and it triggered some fond memories. I bought one. So, this was on the market before any Webber and really before anyone knew about the Green Egg (which wasn't green in the beginning).

The instructions say to use only 12-15 briquettes, but it doesn't fare too well with such a small load. And, it's really only for 1 or 2 people, not a family AFAIC.

Since you are keeping the heat and combustion by products contained by and large, selection of a good cooking medium is essential. But, I bet it would work with gas and be fine.

I have a Geo Foreman grill too for quick patties and veggies. I regularly have both going. But if it's going to be salmon, it's on the fire.

[Jim Bremner]

I gave away my Charbroil gas grill. It wasn't a cheap grill. but it was just a grill. I tried all kinds of things to make food taste like it came off of a real fire. Nada!

[sammyg2]

My infrared grill is hooked up to city natural gas. I turn it on, hit the lighter, and it's cranking hot in 5 minutes.

How much does charcoal cost nowadays?
In the people's republik of kalifornia is really expensive thanks to the AQMD.
I can grill a couple steaks for 10 cents worth of gas, or $3 worth of charcoal.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by flipper35

Pet peeve: When people say BBQ when they mean grill. Not meant to flame anyone here, but I this thread reminded me of our office manager where I worked in california. She always BBQ'd steaks for 8-10 minutes.

This is the issue. I grill multiple times per week. It keeps the heat and smoke out of the house.

As far as the issue of prep-time, etc. This is a cooking appliance. If you have multiple hours to cook, etc, great. But for during the week, a gas grill makes sense.

For proper smoking, a well put together smoker, with a side box, can't be beat. I think lump charcoal, mesquite is the way to go.

[nynor]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

My infrared grill is hooked up to city natural gas. I turn it on, hit the lighter, and it's cranking hot in 5 minutes.

How much does charcoal cost nowadays?
In the people's republik of kalifornia is really expensive thanks to the AQMD.
I can grill a couple steaks for 10 cents worth of gas, or $3 worth of charcoal.

the price of admission.

[Jim Bremner]

Bernzomatic TS4000T Trigger-Start Torch Head

5-10 minutes with this and you're cooking like a caveman

[Bill Douglas]

My Rinnai gas bbq heats a layer of scoria to get hot radiant heat. It's just fast and easy. I feel the scoria gives the steak and chicken a certain volcanic flavoring that makes you want to drink a large pinot noir with it.

[Bill Douglas]

Jim, I use those Benzomatic torches with mapp around here. One for brazing copper plumbing pipes with silfos and the other for lighting the woodburner. They are great.

[Jim Bremner]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

Jim, I use those Benzomatic torches with mapp around here. One for brazing copper plumbing pipes with silfos and the other for lighting the woodburner. They are great.

Also use the torch for that as well as lighting off fireworks last night and for killing Black widows.


Oh add "heat wrench" on stuck bolts, and as a torch for Creme Brulee

[Bill Douglas]

Ha, good skills.

[latroz]

Originally Posted by nynor

gas grills are nasty. period. they taste nasty. they are greezy. the meat always tastes like it was basted in some disgusting mix of vaporized and charred animal fat. we had one, because my wife thought she would use it. after two years, used maybe twice, we put it out for neighborhood cleanup. the charcoal grill gets used weekly, even in the winter.

i did give up on the charcoal smoker, after 14 years. i had to replace the smoker and i went electric. best outdoor cooking decision i ever made. cheaper. easier. less babysitting. perfect results every time. less consumption of the wood for smoking (i prefer apple). consistent temperature. easier cleanup.

the above is my .02, YMMV.

There is a problem here, but it isn't the grill.

[rfuerst911sc]

Over the years I have gone from cheap charcoal grills to Weber charcoal grills then " moved up " to Weber , Ducane and Charbroil gas grills. The Weber gas grill worked fine and lasted a long time. The Ducane I liked the best but some bastard stole it ! This was a Ducane that was built back when they made them well, I understand now they are not so good. The Charbroil was a full on stainless steel unit with brass burners and it was a piece of crap ! It didn't cook all that well and just rusted away in the Florida humidity . It supposedly had a lifetime warranty on the shell and 25 years on the burners, when I contacted Charbroil their tune was much different so that grill ended up in the dump. A few years ago I purchased a Bubba Keg charcoal grill and love it. Same style as a big green egg but made of double wall steel with insulation in between the walls. Very well made and can be used as a smoker or a grill. I also have a Weber Q gas grill and like it for meals that I just don't want to break out the charcoal but it doesn't cook as good a tasting meal as the keg. The two grills live in harmony

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

.... The two grills live in harmony

You could always put some Texas style Q (brisket...mmm) on one and some Carolina (pick a region...mmm) style pork on the other see if that lasts past a few beers