toldailytopic: BBQ battle: Charcoal vs. Propane? Which do you prefer and why?

[Nathon Detroit]

The TheologyOnline.com TOPIC OF THE DAY for June 15th, 2010 11:20 AM

toldailytopic: BBQ battle: Charcoal vs. Propane? Which do you prefer and why?

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[chrysostom]

I am on my way out to light the gas

 

[Town Heretic]

Charcoal...then wood...or I go out for ribs. Propane? (shudders) Please.

 

[Nathon Detroit]

I use both.

I prefer the taste of food cooked with charcoal and therefore I have a charcoal grill/smoker that I use. However, for convenience sake I have a propane grill that I use on a more regular basis.

Scoreboard (10 pts max for each category, higher scores are better)

TASTE:
Charcoal 10
Propane 6

COST:
Charcoal 7
Propane 7

EASE OF USE:
Charcoal 6
Propane 9

TOTAL:
Charcoal 23
Propane 22

 

[chrysostom]

gas gives me more time to post
but
less time to drink

it is a tough call

 

[The Berean]

I'm with Hank Hill on this one. Propane all the way!

 

[GuySmiley]

Charcoal definitely! I don't own a gas grill anymore, although I do miss the convenience of propane sometimes. I remind myself if its worth grilling, its worth waiting 20 minutes for charcoal. But when its just hot dogs thats questionable
Steak, ribs, brats, no question.

I do have the weber charcoal grill with gas lighting system though, so Im cheating a little.

 

[Nick M]

I can cook with my propane grill and give out a blind taste test and all you charcoal losers will know that I am the barbaque master.

 

[assuranceagent]

True barbeque is cooked slowly over woodsmoke.

You're talking about grilling, which I prefer to do with propane. Propane gives you more temperature control and convenience, not to mention better zone grilling. And if you do it right and buy a nice grill, there's even a coal house for the wood chips or charcoal. That means no difference in flavor and a big improvement in control.

To me, there's no contest.

Sincerly,

Outdoor cooking snob.

 

[Nick M]

Grilling and barbaque are different, that needed to be mentioned. Well done AA. I agree.

 

[kmoney]

I use both.

I prefer the taste of food cooked with charcoal and therefore I have a charcoal grill/smoker that I use. However, for convenience sake I have a propane grill that I use on a more regular basis.

Scoreboard (10 pts max for each category, higher scores are better)

TASTE:
Charcoal 10
Propane 6

COST:
Charcoal 7
Propane 7

EASE OF USE:
Charcoal 6
Propane 9

TOTAL:
Charcoal 23
Propane 22

I think I mostly agree with this assessment. Charcoal for the taste, gas for the ease.


This question is very relevant to me at the moment because I'm going to be buying a grill and I have to decide if I want gas or charcoal. :think:

:TomO:

 

[assuranceagent]

I think I mostly agree with this assessment. Charcoal for the taste, gas for the ease.


This question is very relevant to me at the moment because I'm going to be buying a grill and I have to decide if I want gas or charcoal. :think:

:TomO:

Why choose when you can do both?

 

[kmoney]

Why choose when you can do both?

You mean the gas grill you mentioned that has a spot for charcoal?

If so, how much are those? I'm not looking to spend a lot. :greedy:

 

[Servo]

Charcoal because of taste and it gives you an excuse to drink beer while waiting. Plus burning anything is fun and it's good for the environment!

 

[assuranceagent]

You mean the gas grill you mentioned that has a spot for charcoal?

If so, how much are those? I'm not looking to spend a lot. :greedy:

Well, if you want to go cheap, you're better off buying charcoal. A good gas grill will run you into the $500+ range depending on cooking area and quality. Mine was over twice that much, but I do a lot of cooking for family gatherings (not to mention I grill three to four days a week year round.) Weber is really the top of the line and they make a Genesis model that you can get for around that $500 mark, but it's pretty small. Ducane generally comes a bit less expensive and is now owned by Weber (you just don't pay for the name).

Anything much cheaper than that and you will wind up replacing it in a short time after it warps and cracks.

For charcoal, nothing beats a Big Green Egg, but they're pretty pricey too. Weber makes a charcoal grill that's pretty nice or you can even fall back on the trusty Brinkman -- they perform well and they're inexpensive enough that replacing them isn't a big deal.

 

[This Charming Manc]

I hung out in south africa too long, wood cooking over embers, anything else isnt the real deal.

 

[Nick M]

I didn't answer the question.

Well, since there is no difference in taste, the gas grill rules supreme. The convience factor is insurmountable for charcoal. Now, a charcoal grill that is warming up smells really good.

 

[Newman]

Charcoal with wood chips. Nothing else is barbecue.

 

[ebenz47037]

Charcoal and/or wood. I prefer the flavor of hickory smoked bbq. But, I will use charcoal when I can't find hickory. I don't care much for propane. Last time I had it, the food smelled like gas.

 

[Nathon Detroit]

Every now and then we skip the propane and the charcoal and place the steaks directly on the fire. The flavor is AWESOME!!!! :chew: