Charcoal or Gas for grilling?

[bamabear82]

I have never used the chimney starter method. May have to try it.

They work really well. No lighter fluid or anything. You can use newspaper to get it started but I use Weber Lighter Cubes (paraffin wax), lot less mess and they burn hotter. You can get 24 for less than $3.00 at Lowes.

 

[bamabear82]

I use gas, even for the smoker. Had lots of friends tell me that gas doesnt smoke as well as wood, but then they taste what I've cooked. I have used fire, and it always turns out with too much smoke flavor or over/undercooked. With gas I can control the amount of smoke and time my smokes down to the minute. Just put a brisket on that is going to go all night. Try that with wood or a charcoal bullet smoker

I can do it, turns out fantastic, just takes more attention. I like that though, I like the sport of it as much as anything. I see the appeal of gas, just not my thang.

 

[Brahmsian]

If it's a thumbs down, a negative number shows up. If your the 1st to give a thumbs either way at least.

If your the first to give a thumbs down after someone else has done the opposite it's the sum of all the votes.

 

[Gooch1034]

They work really well. No lighter fluid or anything. You can use newspaper to get it started but I use Weber Lighter Cubes (paraffin wax), lot less mess and they burn hotter. You can get 24 for less than $3.00 at Lowes.

Thanks! I am going to try that this weekend!

 

[outofyourmind]

just use an electric charcoal iron to start your fire.
just plug it in, no mess, no moving it around, in 10 minutes it's going.

$10 at Acadamy.

 

[bamabear82]

just use an electric charcoal iron to start your fire.
just plug it in, no mess, no moving it around, in 10 minutes it's going.

$10 at Acadamy.

Dude I work with uses one of those and likes it pretty good. I may try it when my chimney starter falls apart.

 

[outofyourmind]

Dude I work with uses one of those and likes it pretty good. I may try it when my chimney starter falls apart.

I used a chimney for years and they work good, but a buddy of mine tried the iron a while back, and that's all we use now.

It's just so much easier, and cheap.

 

[bamabear82]

I used a chimney for years and they work good, but a buddy of mine tried the iron a while back, and that's all we use now.

It's just so much easier, and cheap.

You pretty much just pour the charcoal on top of it and plug it in, right? I have a conveniently located plug too.

 

[outofyourmind]

You pretty much just pour the charcoal on top of it and plug it in, right? I have a conveniently located plug too.

yeah, that's it.
so easy

 

[Gooch1034]

just use an electric charcoal iron to start your fire.
just plug it in, no mess, no moving it around, in 10 minutes it's going.

$10 at Acadamy.

Havent been to Acadamy since I lived in OKC. Any idea if any other store carry charcoal irons? I didn't know they even existed but I really like the idea.

 

[outofyourmind]

Havent been to Acadamy since I lived in OKC. Any idea if any other store carry charcoal irons? I didn't know they even existed but I really like the idea.

walmart maybe.
anyplace with a good grill/bbq section.
or online. check it out below


https://www.google.com/#q=electric+charcoal+starter&tbm=shop

 

[RobBase]

I have a nice Weber gas grill I use every day. Burgers, steaks, chicken, shrimp, pork chops, potatoes and onions...all things I grill up on a regular basis. High, hot and fast.

 

[bravesfan]

I use a Big Green Egg....love it

 

[Edisto_Tiger]

charcoal. Just prefer the taste, experience, and the more traditional style over gas.

I use a chimney to start mine too. Sometimes I just pour it in my two baskets and fire it up inside the baskets. I have a gas starter on my grill, so I just place the chimney or baskets over the burner and click a button.

Shop Weber Performer 22.5-in Charcoal Grill at Lowes.com

 

[MrMoJoRisin63]

I refuse to use Gas I have been using Weber grills for 30+ years and can cook anything on them. IMO if it's gas you might as well just cook inside.

 

[flaraider]

I have been cooking for a living for around 20 years. I have always used gas but really don't care for the gas grills that are not industrial. They just don't get hot enough IMO. I cant justify buying a gas grill for more than a few hundred dollars when I can get a cheap charcoal gill and get the heat I want and the added flavor charcoal gives food. It is a pain having to deal with charcoal but I think its worth it. So far I am happy I made the switch to charcoal. Don't tell Hank!

Which do you prefer and why?

I have a Char Broil Silver Smoker (on my second one) that I use for most cooks, I modified it per my favorite smoker web-site, there are YouTube vids as well.



[YOUTUBE][ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xV_pZOElQ-A]Char Broil Offset Smoker modifications and review - YouTube[/ame][/YOUTUBE]


I use a chimney smoker with the best quality lump charcoal I can find, but Royal Oak is okay. I smoke Boston butts, turkey, brisket, and amberjack or kingfish when available. I use the smoker box for grilling steaks and chicken, like whole breast. When this smoker rots out I will likely move up, it will cost me, but definitely worth it.

I do have a gas grill for backup, I like doing beer-can chickens on it, and good for foil wrapped cooking, saves time on busy weeknights.

 

[GreenNickle]

Gas for show
Charcoal for a Pro

Nothing beats dousing the pile of charcoal dust from the last grilling with lighter fluid and setting it ablaze.

 

[LALakersboy24.7]

Grilling

 

[LucklessPadresFan]

I have been cooking for a living for around 20 years. I have always used gas but really don't care for the gas grills that are not industrial. They just don't get hot enough IMO. I cant justify buying a gas grill for more than a few hundred dollars when I can get a cheap charcoal gill and get the heat I want and the added flavor charcoal gives food. It is a pain having to deal with charcoal but I think its worth it. So far I am happy I made the switch to charcoal. Don't tell Hank!

Which do you prefer and why?

For overall flavor, I think charcoal is the way to go. But for convenience and clean up, I'm a gas grill kind of guy.

 

[HuskerInSecLand]

If I have the time for steaks I'll put them on coals. Hamburgers, hot dogs, any quick burn stuff gas is the way to go.