Charcoal or gas?

[guythathunts]

I use both, but thought it would be ineresting to see who uses what and why. LET THE ARGUMENT BEGIN!! :ROTFLMAO:

[Mayfly]

I use both. Gas is good as it is quick, just turn the grill on and your ready to go. I love using Charcoal though....I like the smell and the whole process. I guess growing up that is all we ever used so maybe it brings me back. As a matter of fact I am looking for a nice big charcoal grill.

[Woody]

I've had both.  I started with charcoal-but got rid of it after tiring of the wait to start cooking.  Then I got the gas grill-but after replacing the burner several times, I went back to charcoal.  Myself-I'm charcoal from now on!  I just have to plan my meals and time things better.  Would I use gas again? sure!  But I'd prefer charcoal now. 

[Randy Kaar]

i use both, but for different things.
charcoal for smoking.
i use a charcoal chimney and in kess
than 10 minutes the coal are ready.
no stinky charcoal lighter...

randy

[JD]

I have one of each, usually the charcoal grill gets used on the weekends when I have more time to cook.  Otherwise the gas grill heats up nice during the week when time can be kinda limited.

[Grute Man]

I grew up with nothing but charcoal and used that for years myself but now with so many other irons in the fire, its just way easier to use gas.  I also got a gas burner that fits in the bottom of my smoker grill.  I haven't tried it yet but want to see if I can keep a more consistent low heat for smoking turkeys and such.

I'll never forget the turkey in the middle rack of the smoker and the ham on top.  The ham dripped onto the turkey keeping it moist.  It was THE BEST EVER.  My Dad had a great knack for grilling.  I inherited a fraction of his skill.   Sounds like I need more practice, hey?

Grute Man

[Lee Borgersen]

I've got gas and the wife doesn't seem to happy about it, >:( especially when the windows are rolled up in the car.

Now as far as the B-B-Q grill goes we have a gas grill and there is a lot less muss and fuss with it.

[kayaker]

Gas is great and charcoals better but to me there is nothing better than teaching kids to cook over an open fire.

[Joe]

I'm at a cross roads. I retired the old Weber a few years ago. I took the legs off and it is now our backyard fire pit. I aquired a gas grill from my parents and have had to replace the burner in it twice now and it appears I need to do it again. >:(  I'm getting more tired of that hassle. I was out looking at grills this evening and I think I may go back to charcoal.

[Realtree]

We grew up with the charcoal briquets and the lighter fluid til my Dad about blew up the neighborhood squirting more fluid on the briqeuts after they failed to take off. That can flew about 20 feet in the air. Never will forget that afternoon.

The Mrs and I are on our second gas grill now. Replaced burner in original grill twice and once in this grill. We grill out alot. Year round when we can. I prefer the gas for time and ease, but nothin tastes better than on the charcoal briquets. Smells take you back to the day also.

[JohnWester]

gas is by far the easiest and the best.  the key is getting one of those smoker boxes and putting in wood chips.  with my smoker box, I gaurentee a better flavor then any lighter fluid tasting charcoal cooked food.

[Joe]

enlighten me on the "smoker box".

[JohnWester]

it is a little cast iron box that is about 5"x10"x1" and you put wood chips in it and put it right on your grill surface.  they have them at menards by their grill stuff.  and a varity of different wood chips too.  I use apple wood.  start the grill, add some chips, when grill warms up, chips smoke and make food taste good.  it smells like you are cooking over a camp fire.
I use it for everything, steaks, salmon, hotdogs, burgers... adds a cooking over an open fire flavor.
and it's not that expensive at all.

[ScottPugh]

gas is by far the easiest and the best.  the key is getting one of those smoker boxes and putting in wood chips.  with my smoker box, I gaurentee a better flavor then any lighter fluid tasting charcoal cooked food.

I also have one of those, but I haven't used it yet.  ::)  We plan on cooking steaks for a tax client (he's a buddy also) on friday so maybe the smoker box will have to be put in play for the first time.  I do need a new burner for my gas grill and if I had more time I would have a charcoal grill for wings as they just taste different on a gas grill, plus it's easier to transport to BBQ's and softball games.

[Realtree]

it is a little cast iron box that is about 5"x10"x1" and you put wood chips in it and put it right on your grill surface.  they have them at menards by their grill stuff.  and a varity of different wood chips too.  I use apple wood.  start the grill, add some chips, when grill warms up, chips smoke and make food taste good.  it smells like you are cooking over a camp fire.
I use it for everything, steaks, salmon, hotdogs, burgers... adds a cooking over an open fire flavor.
and it's not that expensive at all.

I'm gonna have to stop and pick up one of those smoker boxes and some apple wood chips. Woody had mentioned the other day he does the same thing with the apple wood chips. thanks for the suggestion guys.

[Harold]

To me, this is kind of like comparing a wood fireplace to a gas one.  I put a gas insert into my wood fireplace and use it almost daily vs having to haul in wood and firing it up only on weekends that I'm home.  It's now a flick of the switch, has a very realistic look and kicks out some dynamite heat.  Doesn't smell the same as wood, but I'll take that trade.

I use a Weber gas grill and would never go back to charcoal for many of the same reasons as above.  I've tested people by cooking burgers on both gas and charcoal at the same time and no one knew which was which.

[Woody]

Realtree- save yourself the $ and use an old tuna can (just burn out the can first-then load it with wood chips)  Smoker boxes don't last very long.  The can will last almost the whole season!

 
If you really want to watch a pro on Grilling-watch a show on PBS called BBQ University-check your local listings. 

http://www.bbqu.net/index.html

Alot of the things he makes I know I'll never make-I'm a simply guy that likes simple things-steaks, chops, burgers, brauts, hot dogs on the grill.  But he does have ALOT of good tips however. 

[holdemtwice]

 i use three  ,  gas  charcoal  and woodfired. each has a special purpose. you can do a great job on all if you pepare them  the right way !!   great topic !!!   smoke on !!

[JohnWester]

Realtree- save yourself the $ and use an old tuna can (just burn out the can first-then load it with wood chips)  Smoker boxes don't last very long.  The can will last almost the whole season!

i've had mine for 3 years.  still works fine.
but the can idea might work too.

[holdemtwice]

can = awsome idea !!!!!