Charcoal or Gas?

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Permalink Reply by Gary L Finch on March 24, 2009 at 2:51pm

I have both, and use the gas when I need to be quick. But charcoal most definitely gives a better flavor, in my opinion.

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Permalink Reply by Lt. Caleb French on March 24, 2009 at 3:19pm

It all depends.

When I have the time to devote to it, I love charcoal. you can't beat the smokey flavor.

When I need to be quick, gas is the way to go.

It also depends on what you are cooking and the time needed to cook it. If you are grilling up some Dogs and Burgers, then gas is the way to go, no use firing up good charcoal to cook for a half an hour.

Obviously if you are going to be cooking something big, like my brethren and I do Whole Hogs, a side of beef, or anything that requires a long cook time, then charcoal is the way to go. And added bonus is that smokey flavor that makes it melt in your mouth.

"Taste the meat not the heat." Thank you Hank Hill

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Permalink Reply by Deanna on March 24, 2009 at 3:20pm

thanks guys, like to hear more opinions.

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Permalink Reply by Floyd Aldridge Jr on March 24, 2009 at 3:41pm

As everybody has said it depends on what your cooking and where!!

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Permalink Reply by Michael Simpson on March 24, 2009 at 8:34pm

exactly right depends on how much time you have. how anyone who really calls themselves a grill master that dont have both i dont understand

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Permalink Reply by John Rulli Jr. on March 24, 2009 at 9:00pm

I have both But i love charcoal. The wood chips are good esp. for fish MMMM im getn hungry!! How abo a smoker now were talkn. I love lamb on the smoker. Smoke it for a few hours makes my mouth water!!

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Permalink Reply by Matthew Cosgrove on March 25, 2009 at 7:03pm

I like the ease of use for a gas grill but you can't beat the flavor you get when you use pecan or apple wood. Both give a sweet taste that can't be matched by any spice!!!! Pecan wood is my fav for just about anything. Charcoal gives a great smoke taste with lil effort and I will admit that I do use a good bit of it at home. There is a happy medium however, there is a red bab from Walmart that have coal made from oak wood chips. Works great!! Give any of em' a shot. Let me know what ya think!!!

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Permalink Reply by Lt. Caleb French on March 25, 2009 at 10:36pm

Matt,
The Walmart coal sounds good and all, but I prefer the Hardwood Lump Charcoal that I get from the local BBQ catering company.

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Permalink Reply by Russell McLean on March 25, 2009 at 10:54pm

I agree with most here....for burgers, dogs, and such, gas is the easiest way to go. If you want true BBQ flavor, use just enough charcoal to get your wood started, then go exclusively with either pecan or mesquite. I also like throwing some apple or cherry wood chips in the fire to give the meat a nice flavor. If you're cooking a brisket, a friend of mine turned me on to usinga mixture of Dr. Pepper and apple juice in a sprayer and misting the meat every 4 hours or so.

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Permalink Reply by Lt. Caleb French on March 25, 2009 at 10:58pm

Nice, I have never used wood exclusively for BBQ. I have heard of it, and I would like to try it sometime.

Is it easier to regulate heat than with charcoal. I have always just stuck to my Hardwood Lump Charcoal.

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Permalink Reply by Russell McLean on March 25, 2009 at 11:04pm

Do you have a smoker? It all begins with a good smoker. Take a new one, wipe down the interior with cooking oil, then get a good fire going in there like you would cook with, but do not cook anything. Let all that smoke cling to the inside of the pit, and get it good and seasoned, and that's half your battle.

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Permalink Reply by Lt. Caleb French on March 25, 2009 at 11:08pm

Yeah we have a smoker, But, when I BBQ I use out "rolling BBQ pit," it is essentially a 500 gallon fuel oil drum on wheels. It has a spit that we use to go whole hog, you can take the cage out of it and install the BBQ grates. It has a lid, so it is essentially a huge smoker (the grates and the cage will sit 2 feet above the coals). It has seen over 70 hogs at over 13 hours cook time each, so it is well seasoned. : )

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