Charcoal vs Gas grilling

[Lanshark]

I have had a gas grill for about 15 years but do miss the taste of a burger on a charcoal grill. Seems to be a big difference in opinion is the BBQ community. Charcoal seems to be making a comeback. Since I need a new grill I thought I'd see what everyone thought.

For ease of use I like the gas grill but it's hard to beat charcoal for taste. What do you think?

 

[minniecarousel]

Since I bbq 5 nights out of 7 - no way will I switch back to charcoal!

 

[olena]

Gas. I flavor with marinade and there's less mess.

 

[wvjules]

There are a couple of grills out that can do both. That way, you don't have to choose.

 

[cinmell]

We use a gas grille.

 

[doxdogy]

Charcoal for DH and I. We buy the lump charcoal. Suppose to be all natural and it is not shaped into briquets. The best part is that you can light the lump without lighter fluid. No gas for me.

 

[dtuleya]

This is really DH's forte, but he prefers charcoal. We have a large grill that can also be used as a smoker and he prefers it to our builtin gas grill. He uses the gas grill only to do quick things like burgers and hot dogs.

 

[Lanshark]

I didn't realize there was easy to light charcoal. That would sure make it easier. I hate using lighter fluid.

 

[hercamore]

We have an electric George Foreman which we like.

We have a charcoal grill, but rarely use it.

herc.

 

[cgcw]

We converted to gas last summer. Never going back.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

We grill a lot and use a gas grill.

 

[GeorgeG]

After years of using a gas grill I could never go back to all the mess of charcoal. To be honest, it's been so long I don't remember how food tastes on charcoal.

 

[barbeml]

Charcoal or why bother? Match Light and an Aim 'n Flame and we're in business. We have two little Webers and a big Weber. Use the little guys all the time, year round.

My Hubby has an arsenal of BBQ tools, rubs, sauces and smoking chips.

When the weather is too bad we use the Foreman Grill, but that adds nothing to the flavor.

 

[dizneenut]

Gas

 

[Meriweather]

Both.....we have a gas, we have a Weber and we have a smoker.........somthing is always going
..........and electric too

 

[MICKEY88]

I have 2 large gas grills that I use frequently.. don't miss the charcoal flavor, but I do miss the raging fire one can make with large amounts of lighter fluid...LOL

 

[Harambe]

We call DH "Grill Man". He only uses the Weber - only uses a specific type of charcoal (I try to keep out of it) - only uses a "chiminey" thing to light coals (NEVER lighter fluid!).

We are going camping this coming weekend, and will drive both vehicles, because we need to fit in all the grilling equipment!

 

[dennis99ss]

If we are "grilling", then I use charcoal, just because I get lazy. To grill on wood takes a bit more time to regulate the flame and heat. But, to Bar B Q, you need wood, and some indirect heat. You simply can not do it with gas. Gas is like an outdoor stove......opps, cause some flames (pun intended) there I bet.......

I second the comment on lighter fluid. It results in some of the "smell" to transfer to the taste of the food. It discounts the "charcoal" or wood taste you are striving for.

Mesquite or Oak is always good, but, depending on what you are cooking, a little apple, or cherry could lend an interesting flavor to something like pork or chicken.

I do use a gas burner for gumbo, crawfish and chili though

There is nothing better than sitting on the patio all day on Saturday, from about 6 to 6, drinking beer so as to regulate the firs.....a little more wood for each beer consumed...and smoking out the neighbors. Of course, since there is a heat index here of about 110 today, I usually reserve smoking the briskets for fall, winter and early spring.