gas or charcoal grill?

[nageov3t]

or electric?

pretty basic needs, just burgers, dogs, steaks, and veggies for 2-5 people... can't really see myself getting crazy into smoking or anything.

can't really decide which would be best for my needs. since I live in an apartment, it'll need to be something portable; I've got access to a backyard that pretty much only I use, but obviously I'm not going to invest money in a gasline grill and ideally whenever I move, I'll either be able to take it with me or sell/give away.

 

[ussfletcher]

For that situation, propane.

 

[Crono]

Charcoal

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Strickland Propane, taste the meat, not the heat.

For quick grilling needs, especially in an apartment, you should go with propane over charcoal.

 

[nageov3t]

any major difference in terms of safety?

in either event I'd have the grill well away from the side of the house (I'd probably put it near the fence where I could chain it up so some kid doesn't hop the fence into the yard to swipe it), and I know that charcoal has a bit of a flame when first lighting it up, but what about horror stories of gas tanks exploding?

 

[Ruptga]

Another vote for gas. Charcoal is a pain and the potential increase in food quality isn't going to happen unless you really get into grilling.

Safety shouldn't be much of an issue unless you have a dog that likes to chew on things. Keep the lid open when lighting the grill, and when you're done turn the gas off at both the burners and the gas tank. Those two things will avoid a lot of potential problems.

 

[MongGrel]

I voted Charcoal and Lump if that would have been an option.

Did Burgers, Kielabasa, Brats, and several other things today, the fridge stocked up for the rest of the week on reheat

 

[Pulsar]

Charcoal will give a better taste, no question.

Gas is 'instant on' rather than a 20 minute wait, and if you screw up last minute and realize you need to cook more you don't have to refire the charcoal and do it again.

A charcoal grill is easier to carry. A propane tank is a pain at times.

In a place like an apartment, check the rules. Propane tanks may not be allowed in the apartment. I know my old apartment didn't allow charcoal grills at all, because you can't turn them off like you can propane.

Benefits and drawbacks to both. Propane grills left outside will last 5-7 years. Then you'll be buying another or replacing burners and the like as they rot out from heat and corrosion. Charcoal doesn't have the upkeep.

Edit: Came back to add that if you go to propane, buy your own tank if you're local to a place that fills them. It's much cheaper and you don't have to worry about getting a piece of crap tank.

 

[nageov3t]

In a place like an apartment, check the rules.

not entirely applicable, at least for my current situation.

I live in a 2-family house where the other apartment unit is occupied by my 90 year-old great aunt. she uses the backyard, but rarely for much more than just sitting at the patio table with a glass of water and enjoying a nice afternoon.

 

[sactoking]

I voted charcoal, but I realize that many apts don't allow them. The only way gas is an option is if you have an electric oven/range. If you have a gas oven/range then a gas grill is redundant.

 

[BUTCH1]

Charcoal will give a better taste, no question.

Gas is 'instant on' rather than a 20 minute wait, and if you screw up last minute and realize you need to cook more you don't have to refire the charcoal and do it again.

A charcoal grill is easier to carry. A propane tank is a pain at times.

In a place like an apartment, check the rules. Propane tanks may not be allowed in the apartment. I know my old apartment didn't allow charcoal grills at all, because you can't turn them off like you can propane.

Benefits and drawbacks to both. Propane grills left outside will last 5-7 years. Then you'll be buying another or replacing burners and the like as they rot out from heat and corrosion. Charcoal doesn't have the upkeep.

Just get a Weber gas grill and your burner issues are over, in time you will have to replace the cooking grates and flavorizer bars but that's normal wear and tear plus parts are reasonable and available everywhere, you don't have to worry about an off-brand grill that winds up getting "orphaned" because parts are no longer obtainable. My previous gas grill was made by a Vermont castings subsidiary that flopped but since the body was extremely thick aluminum I stripped the guts out of it then got a scrap piece of "5 electrical conduit, buried it 3 feet in the ground then concreted it in place and filled the pipe with concrete too, then I mounted the carcass of the Vermont Castings grill on top so I can do charcoal or use the Weber.As far as cost goes propane is a lot cheaper than charcoal, there is a slight difference in taste with charcoal edging out propane but at the same time propane is probably healthier to use as you not burning wood. I went to a restaurant in Orlando that had a novel approach to meat entree's they had a meat-case in front and you actually picked out your steak before it got cooked, then they had a huge round brick charcoal grill going in the middle of the place and if so desired you were allowed to cook your own steak, kinda reminded me of this,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjOaw0LugHU

 

[drebo]

Pellet-fed smoker. http://greenmountaingrills.com/products/

You'll never want to eat anyone else's barbeque ever again!

So versitile. I can do everything from seared burgers to a slow-cooked turkey to pulled pork to veggies and beans. Heck, you can even do a pizza on it if you want.

In fact, I did a pork butt, chicken, and beans today and it was absolutely amazing.

 

[destrekor]

any major difference in terms of safety?

in either event I'd have the grill well away from the side of the house (I'd probably put it near the fence where I could chain it up so some kid doesn't hop the fence into the yard to swipe it), and I know that charcoal has a bit of a flame when first lighting it up, but what about horror stories of gas tanks exploding?

Realistically, no. Unless you're a complete moron and completely irresponsible.

Now, that implies there is nothing immediately overhead.

Gas rarely is capable of reaching the direct heat capability of a well-fueled charcoal kettle grill - and the simple direct heat could warp surfaces overhead if not weaken structural integrity, especially of the basic wooden decks in most apartment complexes.

I kept a charcoal perfectly safe in my apartment: I was on the first floor and drug it out into the grass.


I prefer charcoal for the ability to do direct sear and also have the ability to control heat.

I just smoked some ribs, fluctuating between 225ºF and 275ºF, ideally keeping it around 250. A little over four hours in the kettle, with charcoal stoking the indirect heat, and fueling the apple wood chunks and hickory-mixed briquettes (I had them left over, made sense to use them instead of buying something else first ).





That said, I also look forward to buying a good gas (or LP) grill to have for some situations. And for smoking, I'd love a dedicated smoker. At least I know I can enjoy two of my three preferred outdoor cooking methods.

 

[BUTCH1]

Pellet-fed smoker. http://greenmountaingrills.com/products/

You'll never want to eat anyone else's barbeque ever again!

So versitile. I can do everything from seared burgers to a slow-cooked turkey to pulled pork to veggies and beans. Heck, you can even do a pizza on it if you want.

In fact, I did a pork butt, chicken, and beans today and it was absolutely amazing.

My thoughts, first the pellets are pricy, second, 500 max temp means this is much better suited for "low+slow" type of BBQ than grilling steaks, third, made in China, not necessarily a bad thing but I'd rather support US workers when possible. Their website goes on about supporting "foreign oil" but propane is a by-product of cracking crude oil, of the 10% we do import 70% comes from Canada. Then they go on about how clean it burns, I would guess a lot cleaner than charcoal briquettes but burning wood is burning wood, propane is much a cleaner burn. Then they mention the "bomb" in your car when you transport propane, first off propane tanks are rugged and I strap mine in the trunk close to the rear of the back seats, if I get into a collision so bad it gets to and ruptures the tank I'm already probably dead anyway LOL..

 

[NetWareHead]

When you said apartment, I was picturing an apartment building and each tenant has their own balcony. If you have an actual yard then go charcoal. If you appreciate the better food taste and can overlook the prep time needed for charcoal, go that direction. if you like quick simple and easy grilling

Do not go electric. Ive used those before and it is basically a hot plate. Doesnt compare to grilling on propane or charcoal at all

 

[Newell Steamer]

Charcoal,.. but, only if you understand how heat, smoke and coals work.

 

[nageov3t]

I voted charcoal, but I realize that many apts don't allow them. The only way gas is an option is if you have an electric oven/range. If you have a gas oven/range then a gas grill is redundant.

I do have a gas range, but if I were to get a cast iron grill pan up to the same temperature as an actual grill, I think I'd smoke out my entire house.

 

[z1ggy]

Can you afford both? I have a small charcoal and a small gas grill. Things I don't really care about like burgers or dogs get the gas grill. Things that I want to actually have flavor I use the charcoal.

 

[Scarpozzi]

When I lived in an apartment, they had a no-grill rule on the balconies. That meant I couldn't do either in my apartment. I ended up getting a hibachi to use in the lawn near the pool and to take tailgating/camping....

For use in the apartment, I ended up buying a George Foreman Pedastal grill for the balcony: http://www.amazon.com/George-Foreman...pedestal+grill

This allowed me to "safely" grill (by their standards) in the apartment or on the deck. It did alright, but similar to any electric surface, I could have done the same thing on a standard skillet, but the nonstick surface with was nice and it did alright with steaks...you just have to season them thoroughly and let the surface sear the steaks & seasoning rather than expecting anything special out of the grill. This is a nice grill because it has an adjustable thermostat...it's just electric.

 

[waggy]

charcoal. I enjoy the process. Yeah it takes 10-20 minutes to get the coals going (GET A chimney! ). I use that time to drink a beer or just enjoy sitting outside.

get lump charcoal if you can. if not don't skip out and get cheap shitty briquettes. though there are some store brands that kick ass.

 

[Jimzz]

Charcoal can cook better BUT it takes a longer to setup and has a greater chance of error.

Gas is quick and ready to go. Hard to mess up but lose a little flavor if you really know how to cook well with Charcoal.


For what you have said I would get gas. Its what I have as I don't grill a lot and its usually for smaller items nott hugh parties or "fancy smoked specialty" meats.

 

[Kaido]

or electric?

pretty basic needs, just burgers, dogs, steaks, and veggies for 2-5 people... can't really see myself getting crazy into smoking or anything.

can't really decide which would be best for my needs. since I live in an apartment, it'll need to be something portable; I've got access to a backyard that pretty much only I use, but obviously I'm not going to invest money in a gasline grill and ideally whenever I move, I'll either be able to take it with me or sell/give away.

I always recommend charcoal, but I bought a gas grill late last year and use that a lot more often because I can simply "turn it on", no prep required, so if you just have basic needs, I would recommend the propane for convenience. Makes it easy if I just want to fire up some burgers real quick after work. Charcoal-grilled food tastes better to me, but I have plenty of seasonings to handle the flavor otherwise. Here's my gas grilling thread:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2355061

I also really like McCormick's Hamburger Spice, especially if I'm grilling on gas:

http://www.mccormick.com/Spices-and...soning-Blends/Grill-Mates-Hamburger-Seasoning

I have 3 grills:

1. Charcoal (cheap Walmart one)
2. Gas (cheap Home Depot one)
3. Pellet (Traeger, combination smoker/convection oven)

They all have their strengths & weaknesses. Charcoal has the best grilling flavor. Propane is the most convenient. The pellet is my smoker, which I actually use a TON because (1) it's electric, (2) it "bakes" in addition to smoking, and (3) it's so easy that my wife can use it (plug it in, pour in pellets, turn it on, etc.) so she can start a cook while I'm at work. However, I often use it in conjunction with my gas grill to sear foods since I like the burnt grill marks, hehe.

That entire setup was under $600 too - less than the price of one nice Weber grill ($80 for the charcoal grill, $130 for the gas, $380 shipped for the Traeger off Amazon). Since I'm in New England, even the good stuff rusts after a couple seasons anyway, so I don't bother investing in higher-quality gas or charcoal grills since they all fall apart regardless of what I do to protect them. Plus even the $129 gas grill can cook like 15 burgers at a time and I rarely need to cook more than that. My only complaint is that the gas grill doesn't get super wicked hot (downside of getting a cheap one), so if you plan on using it a lot & really want to sear stuff at a high temperature, invest in a better one that has more power.

 

[BlitzPuppet]

 

[Kaido]

charcoal. I enjoy the process. Yeah it takes 10-20 minutes to get the coals going (GET A chimney! ). I use that time to drink a beer or just enjoy sitting outside.

get lump charcoal if you can. if not don't skip out and get cheap shitty briquettes. though there are some store brands that kick ass.

Reminds me, the BBQ Dragon is out now for $49 on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/BBQ-Dragon-BBQ.../dp/B00FPZY92A

Starts your charcoal grill in under 10 minutes! It's basically a grill-friendly focused fan to push air into the fire.

 

[mmntech]

Gas is probably better for an apartment since you're in close proximity to your neighbours. Charcoal can create a lot of smoke that some people might not appreciate.