HomeBrewerDude
Lifer
- Jan 18, 2001
- 14,465
- 1
- 0
Unless you want to spend the bucks and get a really good gas grill, go with charcoal. What you need in a grill is HEAT. Gas grills do not get hot enough, unless you have a high end model.
I have cooked on charcoal for 15 years. I am quite good at it. I have also cooked on Gas (going on 5 years), on both cheap and very nice grills.
At the moment I prefer gas because:
1) Easier to start --> requires less lead time
2) Easier to clean
3) Cools down Faster
4) better control over low temp grilling for certain foods such as mushrooms, peppers, bread, veggies.
Very High heat is require to carmalize meat. IMO, this why people think charcoal tastes better. I.E., because most people compare charcoal to cheap gas grills...it aint the source of heat, its the amount of heat that is important.
I have cooked on charcoal for 15 years. I am quite good at it. I have also cooked on Gas (going on 5 years), on both cheap and very nice grills.
At the moment I prefer gas because:
1) Easier to start --> requires less lead time
2) Easier to clean
3) Cools down Faster
4) better control over low temp grilling for certain foods such as mushrooms, peppers, bread, veggies.
Very High heat is require to carmalize meat. IMO, this why people think charcoal tastes better. I.E., because most people compare charcoal to cheap gas grills...it aint the source of heat, its the amount of heat that is important.
Zenmervolt
Elite member
- Oct 22, 2000
- 24,514
- 44
- 91
No, no you don't. If you do that then you end up with that burnt crap that people call "searing" but is really just burnt steak. I send steak back if it comes out burnt like that in a steakhouse.
ZV
If you cook it right then the thing explodes with juice. A nice medium rare filet or strip can be cooked about two minutes a side, there is no burning just a slight carmelization on the outside for flavor and seal in the juices.
oh well...different strokes I guess. Slow cooked = taste like charcol and not like meat. Fast cook - taste like wonderful steak.
Zenmervolt
Elite member
- Oct 22, 2000
- 24,514
- 44
- 91
Barely cooked and juicy is even better.
Somewhere just past rare but not quite to medium-rare is perfect. (Dangit, now I'm hungry.)ZV
Every time I've had a flash-burned steak off of a gas grill cooked under five minutes a side it's been tough to cut through and even harder to chew. There isn't a steak flavor to be found in any bite.
Now, I've never had a steak cooked the way you describe so that might be good. It does sound good. I still think charcoal fires are better than gas. Might have to start up the grill tonight.
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Barely cooked and juicy is even better.
ZV
That's not juicy! The fat is still mostly solids. Raw meat != juicy.
Zenmervolt
Elite member
- Oct 22, 2000
- 24,514
- 44
- 91
I use the grill frequently so gas is much more convenient as far as cleaning and temp control- Especially if you cook for a large family or for parties. Cleaning / disposal of charcoal can be a pain if you grill 1-3 times a week.
Also, you can always soak some mesquite chips and add those (wrapped in foil or smoker box) to the gas grill for a hint of smokey flavor. Ive never used the liquid smoke stuff.
If you don't plan on using the grill frequently - just a few times over the summer - charcoal will be fine - just dont go crazy with the lighter fluid so that the food taste like its been marinated with gasoline.
Also - When it comes to ribs, brisket, whole chickens & duck - I prefer to smoke /barbecue with our wood burning grill/ fire box smoker -
indirect heat, cooked over a longer period of time - Well worth the hard work ! nothing like cooking with pecan.
Also, you can always soak some mesquite chips and add those (wrapped in foil or smoker box) to the gas grill for a hint of smokey flavor. Ive never used the liquid smoke stuff.
If you don't plan on using the grill frequently - just a few times over the summer - charcoal will be fine - just dont go crazy with the lighter fluid so that the food taste like its been marinated with gasoline.
Also - When it comes to ribs, brisket, whole chickens & duck - I prefer to smoke /barbecue with our wood burning grill/ fire box smoker -
indirect heat, cooked over a longer period of time - Well worth the hard work ! nothing like cooking with pecan.
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
This is why one adds hickory chips (preferably ones soaked in water) to the charcoal.
ZV
That's cheating
Most of the time I use gas. But if I have the time, and the inclination, nothing in my opinion can beat a nice wood fire. But it takes a long time, so I don't do it often.
Zenmervolt
Elite member
- Oct 22, 2000
- 24,514
- 44
- 91
Blood = juicy.Originally posted by: spidey07
Originally posted by: ZenmervoltBarely cooked and juicy is even better.
ZV
That's not juicy! The fat is still mostly solids. Raw meat != juicy.
I don't really like it raw but I definitely like it to still be red inside. Pink is good, but not as good.
ZV
yeah Z,
Nice medium rare....mostly pink with a good red center.
In fact I'm grilling tonight as I do almost everynight when the temperature is decent (i'm not hard core enough to grill in the winter).
On the Gas or Charcoal grill - They both have their uses just make sure you don't skimp and buy a cheap grill.
Nice medium rare....mostly pink with a good red center.
In fact I'm grilling tonight as I do almost everynight when the temperature is decent (i'm not hard core enough to grill in the winter).
On the Gas or Charcoal grill - They both have their uses just make sure you don't skimp and buy a cheap grill.
I am in the same spot. I am going to buy gas, when cooking for a lot of people an EVEN cooking surface is really important - and that is hard to get right with charcoal.
Hayabusa Rider
Admin Emeritus & Elite Member
- Jan 26, 2000
- 50,879
- 4,268
- 126
Bought a Char Griller with a smoke box last year. Best thing evar
I recommend charcoal of course, and get a chimney type starter. You fill it, and there is a space for newspaper at the base that you light. In short order you have hot coals minus funky lighter fluid taste. With the smoke box, you can do real BBQ, if you have a hankering for it.
TRENDING THREADS
-
Discussion Zen 5 Speculation (EPYC Turin and Strix Point/Granite Ridge - Ryzen 9000)- Started by DisEnchantment
- Replies: 25K
-
Discussion Intel Meteor, Arrow, Lunar & Panther Lakes + WCL Discussion Threads
- Started by Tigerick
- Replies: 22K
-
News NVIDIA and Intel to Develop AI Infrastructure and Personal Computing Products- Started by poke01
- Replies: 384
-
Discussion Intel current and future Lakes & Rapids thread- Started by TheF34RChannel
- Replies: 23K
Facebook
Twitter