Age old question: Gas or Charcoal?

[tokamak]

Originally posted by: iamme
For charcoal starting, I was looking at this: Weber Chimney Starter

Has anyone tried this? It seems to have good reviews, and you don't need lighter fluid.

we used to use those when i was in boy scouts. they work very well. easy to use, no lighter fluid needed. you need something non-flammable to set it on while its working, though.

<edit> seems like lump charcoal is a good deal. if its twice the price but produces twice the heat, than just buy half as much and there ya go </edit>

 

[Angrymarshmello]

Gas - charcoal takes too long to heat up. If you want more taste add more flavoring

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: djheater
Lump charcoal... not briquets....

This is really important.

Edit- use a chimney starter and a piece of newspaper under it, but paper without color pics. Funky chemicals in the dyes. You are good to cook in 10 minutes if you use lump charcoal

PS DaveS..
What smoker do you use? I just bought a Char-Griller.

 

[iamme]

Do they sell lump charcoal in stores? Do I need to find a specialty store?

 

[iamme]

If it can be heated in 5-7 minutes, that's pretty awesome. It negates the argument that charcoal grills take too long to start up...

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: iamme
Do they sell lump charcoal in stores? Do I need to find a specialty store?

I get mine through Ace Hardware. If the store doesnt have it, they can get it in 2 days. Just bougt 60 lbs of the stuff for 33 bucks.

 

[iamme]

Originally posted by: Hayabusarider

Originally posted by: iamme
Do they sell lump charcoal in stores? Do I need to find a specialty store?

I get mine through Ace Hardware. If the store doesnt have it, they can get it in 2 days. Just bougt 60 lbs of the stuff for 33 bucks.

Isn't Hayabusarider that wrestler from Pro Wrestling on the old NES?

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: iamme

Originally posted by: Hayabusarider

Originally posted by: iamme Do they sell lump charcoal in stores? Do I need to find a specialty store?

I get mine through Ace Hardware. If the store doesnt have it, they can get it in 2 days. Just bougt 60 lbs of the stuff for 33 bucks.

Isn't Hayabusarider that wrestler from Pro Wrestling on the old NES?

Yes, but I am retired now.

 

[UltraQuiet]

Originally posted by: Hayabusarider

Originally posted by: djheater
Lump charcoal... not briquets....

This is really important.

Edit- use a chimney starter and a piece of newspaper under it, but paper without color pics. Funky chemicals in the dyes. You are good to cook in 10 minutes if you use lump charcoal

PS DaveS..
What smoker do you use? I just bought a Char-Griller.

This one
Smoker

 

[iamme]

Originally posted by: Hayabusarider

Originally posted by: iamme

Originally posted by: Hayabusarider

Originally posted by: iamme Do they sell lump charcoal in stores? Do I need to find a specialty store?

I get mine through Ace Hardware. If the store doesnt have it, they can get it in 2 days. Just bougt 60 lbs of the stuff for 33 bucks.

Isn't Hayabusarider that wrestler from Pro Wrestling on the old NES?

Yes, but I am retired now.

Sweet I loved that game...

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Yeah Dave!

I want to try a brisket. Never have before, so wish me luck.

 

[CocaCola5]

Charcoal for me also, I stay away from the Easy Light stuff(has ignitor fluid or something in them that smells) and stick with the basic.
I use some wood chips and some match sticks to get it going then I have a used hair dryer(blows some much needed oxygen toward the coal).

 

[djheater]

Originally posted by: CocaCola5
Charcoal for me also, I stay away from the Easy Light stuff(has ignitor fluid or something in them that smells) and stick with the basic.
I use some wood chips and some match sticks to get it going then I have a used hair dryer(blows some much needed oxygen toward the coal).

You should pick up a chimney starter... It's a lot less of a hastle....

 

[UltraQuiet]

Well since there seems to be some interest here's a book I really like and have found useful.

"Smoke and Spice" by Cheryl and Bill Jamison. ISBN 1-55832-061-X

Pretty good book. Lots of marinades, sauces, rubs, etc. Basic stuff on smoking too.


Dave

 

[CocaCola5]

Originally posted by: djheater

Originally posted by: CocaCola5
Charcoal for me also, I stay away from the Easy Light stuff(has ignitor fluid or something in them that smells) and stick with the basic.
I use some wood chips and some match sticks to get it going then I have a used hair dryer(blows some much needed oxygen toward the coal).

You should pick up a chimney starter... It's a lot less of a hastle....

Looks good, I've never had much problem getting the flames going quickly though, under 10 min. max.

 

[ObiDon]

Originally posted by: iamme
You can't use wood chips and smoke food in a gas grill, can you?

Mmmm...canned smoke. I wonder how well that stuff works? Since I never go outside, I guess I'll never find out!

 

[jonnyGURU]

I think I read every post in this thread looking for this particular Weber grill and was surprised nobody mentioned it.

BEST OF BOTH WORLDS!!!!

Weber makes a CHARCOAL GRILL that uses a propane tank for lighting and heating up the coals.

This is what I plan to get, because charcoal is a pain in the arse to get up and cooking, but the taste is sooooooooooooooo good!

 

[Evadman]

Wood in my 55 gallon drum cut in 1/2. If not available, then charcoal, but with some wood chips for flavor.

 

[fr]

charcoal

 

[Vadatajs]

Gas tastes like poop. Get charcoal.

 

[tm37]

Originally posted by: Vadatajs
Gas tastes like poop. Get charcoal.

Well Said.

I like to marinade Chicken breasts and then smoke them with hickory. or cook staight over mesquite.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

I recommend gas, but only if you can afford a high BTU grill like a mid-grade Weber. Cheapo gas grills just don't get hot enough to charbroil, which is why most people think that you can't duplicate that charcoal flavor with a gas grill.

I know this from experience. I used to charcoal, then i bought a used cheap gas grill and lamented everytime i grilled. But now I have a nice 3 burner Kenmore and it is just like cooking with charcoal, except there is less mess, less hassle, and more heat control.

 

[DanFungus]

charcoal, it'll taste better

 

[SuperSix]

Charcoal tastes better, but it's WAY more work...

 

[UltraQuiet]

Originally posted by: tm37

Originally posted by: Vadatajs
Gas tastes like poop. Get charcoal.

Well Said.

I like to marinade Chicken breasts and then smoke them with hickory. or cook staight over mesquite.

Hickory is good. Very few serious smokers use mesquite because it burns too hot. Try some pecan or fruit tree wood. I think you'll like it better than mesquite.