Propane vs charcoal grill

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Basement Dweller

@ryan66 yeah, it has wood chips on top of the charcoal, which is just there for the heat consistancy/to keep the wood smoking

13 years ago

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maximiliaan

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weve got that bitch for about 15 years now... still makes the tasiest meat ever!

13 years ago

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KZA

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Did not read the threat, but obviously you have the convience of propane and the quality/taste of charcoal. The best comprimise is to get the Weber Performer! It is a charcoal grill with a propane tank also. In the center of the grill is a gas pilot light, so you just need to stack charcoal around this and give the flame about 10 minutes to have the coals going. It also has a storage compartment for the charcoal, a cover, and storage underneath. A bit pricey, but I got one of craigslist for $100. If you want the taste of charcoal but are lazy like me, go with this!!

http://www.acehardwaresuperstore.com/123-charcoal-grills/711.html

13 years ago

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SKI.ING

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I would say charcoal wins simply because the flavor. If I'm going to spend money on good meat products I want to grill them on something that will do it justice. And if I'm just cooking for myself or I want it done fast I throw it on my Foreman grill, no propane grill needed. So I have all the bases covered.

13 years ago

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bdarb207

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You can get smoked wood pieces to grill on top of as well to give it that smoky flavor while using propane. Makes a great burger or piece of fish.

13 years ago

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SkierX

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I'm sorry, but a electric contact grill does not compare to a propane flame grill. The Foreman is nothing more than a glorified electric stove that can cook both sides at once.

13 years ago

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Midwestoverdose

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Insane

this, and to me it has a better taste, you can also add hickory chips for a smokey flavor. But enhoying time while its warming is always fun.

13 years ago

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PASKIINGSUCKS

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Charcoal all the way.

If ya stack the charcoal in a pile and use some lighter fluid it rarely takes more than 10 to 15 minutes til ready to grill.

My grill for camping and the beach can fit 8 or more dogs or about 5 burgers and takes up as much room in the truck as a propane tank alone.

Heat control is simple enough if ya just keep a little water squirt bottle on the grill, if its too hot where ya don't want heat just give the coals a little squirtle.

I've often thought it's more expensive though, although I don't know what ya pay to fill a propane tank. I get a 12 pound bag of kingsford for around 7 or 8 bucks and that will last about 6-12 grill sessions depending on what you're cooking. Honestly I think it about evens out.

Learn to master the charcoal and fire in general, it's a good life skill. Anybody can turn on the gas and hit a button.

Oh and fuck convenience, I mean I don't have screaming kids who are hungry, but if you can't take ten minutes to wait for charcoal to glow then your life is too fast paced. Prep the rest of dinner, have a beer, put on some tunes and dance with the lady for a song or two. There is much to be said for taking your time and doing things the old fashioned way.

I want a big green egg.

13 years ago

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roddy116

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my dad has one, but i want to get my own when i move out in a year for college.

13 years ago

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FrenchFry

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I like the taste of charcoal grill way better but propane is way faster and more convinenet

13 years ago

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howlongcanausern

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no way. a charcoal grill takes 30-45 minutes to heat up...if you put on some patties @ 15mins they won't even sizzle.

13 years ago

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PASKIINGSUCKS

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It looks like an awesome grill for sure. They also sell mini and small versions that look cheaper and more portable.

13 years ago

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Ski_the_east01

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fool..it only takes 20 mins for charcoal to ash up

youre doing it wrong

13 years ago

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howlongcanausern

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here's my technique:

take metal cylinder with bottom missing (coffee can) fill with charcoal, put lighter fluid, let sit for a few mins, light, wait til they're ashy (which yeah is about 20mins), then remove can, then i close the grill to let the racks/grill heat up, then shit's ready to grill.

this whole process takes 30-45 mins

13 years ago

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hoodratz47

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i have a folding gas grill for going to the river. its nice. i have a giant gas range out side as well

but for smoking meat i have a smoking pit and i use charcoal and raw oak.

so both have there place and time.

and i do love using a webber. i had a little smoky in college and i tell you what you can cook about anything on it

13 years ago

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hoodratz47

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i have a folding gas grill for going to the river. its nice. i have a giant gas range out side as well

but for smoking meat i have a smoking pit and i use charcoal and raw oak.

so both have there place and time.

and i do love using a webber. i had a little smoky in college and i tell you what you can cook about anything on it

13 years ago

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PASKIINGSUCKS

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You're definitely doing it wrong. I don't know why people use those charcoal starter cans or metal tubes. Clean out the ash under the lower grate for good airflow, make sure your vents are open, stack the charcoal in a neat tall pyramid, and use some lighter fluid to get it started hot. I have grilled dinner in less than 35 minutes start to finish. I've been grilling for about a decade now and I've never waited 45 minutes for charcoal.

13 years ago

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Ski_the_east01

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The absolute key to grilling well.

People think charcoal is the only fuel when grilling and often dismiss oxygen. Controlling the vents are hugely important to proper temperature and taste.

13 years ago

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howlongcanausern

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i'll give this a shot next time

13 years ago

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PASKIINGSUCKS

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I've never got down with the can style starters, there must be something to it as I know a lot of people use it. I believe though that all of the coals start faster when they are exposed to air in a pyramid. I'll also blow on it like a campfire to get em red faster as the flames from the lighter fluid start to dwindle, you'd be surprised how much this helps in turning the whole pile to a good red glow. Also I'll cover the whole thing once they are almost complete ash but still not quite ready, that heats up the grill and top grate while the coals finish going to ash and that saves a little time. With all the vents open it doesn't slow down the process at all to cover it just before the coals are ready.

If I'm grilling something that's not going over direct heat like dogs or chicken I don't even bother spreading out the pile. This will conserve the coals longer if you need to come back and grill a few more dogs for round two after a couple beers start flowing.

Happy summer grilling folks, be it gas or coals it's always a good time.

13 years ago

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I_Am_Mod

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if you're in a rush or anything, stack the coals in a pyramid, light em with starter fluid (or any other way you prefer of lighting, once you have little parts of smoldering coal, get one of these:

and point it in an opening of the pyramid, try different angles until you hear that you're hitting the sweet spot ! (be sure to wear gloves and safety glasses cause now you're basically creating a little 'furnace' and sparks can suddenly burtst out violently ...

anyways, in 10min max you have an entire bbq ready to cook ...

it's by far the fastest way i know of lighting a bbq, its a little bit dangerous but it works wonderful !

13 years ago

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I_Am_Mod

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^^i've also done it with compressed air (from a scuba tank) it also works, its just a little bit trickier because your airflow is much more focused which isnt ideal and you're also blowing cold air (pressurised air expands when it's released and cools off)

(little sidenote, compressed air =/= pure oxygen, if for some reason you have an oxygen bottle in or around your house, keep it the f away from fire ! )

13 years ago

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PASKIINGSUCKS

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Crazy Fool

^ haha a heat gun, now that's genius. I'd be willing to bet more than one american has taken their own life by trying to speed up a grill with pure oxygen.

By far my favorite place to grill.

A close second

13 years ago

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I_Am_Mod

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oh, if you're on a trip somewhere with your car and want to quickly start a bbq, what also works great are the little airblowers used to pump up inflatable mattresses and beachballs ...

the hot air gun works a lot better, but if you're on a trip and don't have a power outlet nearby, this is a great alternative! just watch out you don't melt the nozzle

13 years ago

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Alex.B

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I won a smokey joe in a raffle and took her to the beach grilled up some burgers and dogs for the bros and some ladies. it was a perfect summer day.

13 years ago

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SKI.ING

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Yes, but then my charcoal grill trumps propane grilling so I have no need for one. Don't get me wrong, at my parents place we have a nice propane grill and it's amazing because we have a large family and it's fast and easy. But if I want great grilling: my charcoal Weber. If I need to eat quick or just one piece of meat: Foreman. I didn't say the Foreman was better, but merely it suffices to fulfill the need for a propane grill if you are already into charcoal.

Now I feel awkward for discussing grilling preferences in such depth over the internet.

13 years ago

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SkierX

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Some say tomato... I'd rather have both a charcoal and propane and skip the foreman altogether.

Oh, and I believe you meant that you feel more manly for discussing grilling over the internet.

13 years ago

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snwbrdmilf

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I am purchasing a charcoal grill here eventually after watching you grill! Def a master of sorts - the current grill we have is a POS and I'm def going charcoal this time.

13 years ago

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PASKIINGSUCKS

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Well done, and thanks for the compliment. What's grampa Joe gonna say about the move to charcoal??? Or do ya mean you're gonna have both now??

13 years ago

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Toasty.

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Charcoal grill with slow burning briqutes and hickory and oak wood chips that are soaked for 2 hours before hand.

13 years ago

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Sno.

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bought this for my dad for fathers day last year. He wanted charcoal. He told me the other day that he loves it.

[IMG]stainless-steel-grills.com/img/products/1204782812_WeberPerformerCharcoalGrill_841001A.jpg[/IMG]

13 years ago

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Sno.

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13 years ago

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SKI.ING

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Bahaha, yes that's what I meant! Glad this thread turned out to be productive on such a great topic.

13 years ago

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BlackieChan

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Propane = Convenience

Charcoal = Flavour

Take your pick

13 years ago

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SKI.ING

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What do you guys think of the match-light charcoal that doesn't require starter fluid? Is there any difference in performance? Personally just used them today and seemed like they didn't hold heat as well or as long.

13 years ago

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PASKIINGSUCKS

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I mostly use match light and find it to work just fine. When ya get down to the bottom of the bag they get a little harder to light, probably due to some of the fluid evaporating over time, but other than that they work just fine for me.

13 years ago

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Benji.

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I'd go propane. Faster, easier, and better for temperature control once you get to know your grill. I do like a good charcoal steak though.

If you expect to use it a lot (like 4 times a week) then I'd suggest spending some extra money and getting something nice so you can have a real nice kitchen out there.

13 years ago

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