I know this has been discussed to death in other parts.. but I'm
wondering if this status has changed much in recent days...

I'm still assuming I'll get the best flavor (charcoal flavor) with
things like burgers and hot dogs on a purely charcoal grill...


But now there are things like charcoal flavored devices that you can
use on a gas grill (sorry I dont know much about these).. I've read
the lava rocks arent always so great (they work from the fat dripping
on them then the scent rising up through the food?)..


So i'm faced with the decision of going gas or charcoal and getting a
bigger (higher up vertically) type grill...


Gas is clearly cheaper to use and faster to get going and less fuss,
can i use any types of these flavor devices to at least come somewhat
closer to the nice taste of a charcoal grill?


I've also heard good things about cooking steaks on a gas grill using
mesquite marinades and flavor bars etc...


Either way i've seen decent size charcoal and gas grills for the same
price, currently about $150 for the size/type i want...

Get both. Seriously. Use gas when you want a quick meal during the week and
don't have the time to do charcoal. Use charcoal when you have the time,
because usually it'll taste better.

--
EZ
Traeger BBQ075 "Texas"
CharGriller Smokin Pro
Great Outdoors Smoky Mountain Wide Body
CharmGlow 3-burner All-Stainless Gas Grill
Weber Kettle One-Touch Silver 22-1/2"
Weber Kettle Smoky Joe Silver 14-1/2"

On May 10, 3:12 pm, "EZ" > wrote:
> Get both. Seriously. Use gas when you want a quick meal during the week and
> don't have the time to do charcoal. Use charcoal when you have the time,
> because usually it'll taste better.
>
> --
> EZ
> Traeger BBQ075 "Texas"
> CharGriller Smokin Pro
> Great Outdoors Smoky Mountain Wide Body
> CharmGlow 3-burner All-Stainless Gas Grill
> Weber Kettle One-Touch Silver 22-1/2"
> Weber Kettle Smoky Joe Silver 14-1/2"

Yeah, I guess, but I'd rather have an all in one solution.. What
about the flavor devices.. do they even come close/work with all gas
models?

I've used all of the above but am currently using a weber silver B and love
it. When I need smoke I have two charbroil cast iron smoke boxes I can use
but one usually works fine for my needs. RM~

PS, I do have a very old (plate steel) vertical charbroil smoke'n pit but it
hasn't seen much duty since I got the weber 2 yr ago.

On 2007-05-10, markm75 > wrote:
> On May 10, 3:12 pm, "EZ" > wrote:
>> Get both. Seriously. Use gas when you want a quick meal during the week and
>> don't have the time to do charcoal. Use charcoal when you have the time,
>> because usually it'll taste better.
>>
>> --
>> EZ
>> Traeger BBQ075 "Texas"
>> CharGriller Smokin Pro
>> Great Outdoors Smoky Mountain Wide Body
>> CharmGlow 3-burner All-Stainless Gas Grill
>> Weber Kettle One-Touch Silver 22-1/2"
>> Weber Kettle Smoky Joe Silver 14-1/2"
>
> Yeah, I guess, but I'd rather have an all in one solution.. What
> about the flavor devices.. do they even come close/work with all gas
> models?

Go with Charcoal.. Forget these flavor mechanisms to fake "real" flavor.. Who
knows what's in-em.. I get my charcoal grill going in 5-10 minutes tops with
the help of my weed-torch.. My fire is started in ~30 seconds.. Then you just
wait ~5-10 minutes tops to get other coals going as well.. Works like a charm!

On May 10, 5:17 pm, "Rick F." > wrote:
> On 2007-05-10, markm75 > wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On May 10, 3:12 pm, "EZ" > wrote:
> >> Get both. Seriously. Use gas when you want a quick meal during the week and
> >> don't have the time to do charcoal. Use charcoal when you have the time,
> >> because usually it'll taste better.
>
> >> --
> >> EZ
> >> Traeger BBQ075 "Texas"
> >> CharGriller Smokin Pro
> >> Great Outdoors Smoky Mountain Wide Body
> >> CharmGlow 3-burner All-Stainless Gas Grill
> >> Weber Kettle One-Touch Silver 22-1/2"
> >> Weber Kettle Smoky Joe Silver 14-1/2"
>
> > Yeah, I guess, but I'd rather have an all in one solution.. What
> > about the flavor devices.. do they even come close/work with all gas
> > models?
>
> Go with Charcoal.. Forget these flavor mechanisms to fake "real" flavor.. Who
> knows what's in-em.. I get my charcoal grill going in 5-10 minutes tops with
> the help of my weed-torch.. My fire is started in ~30 seconds.. Then you just
> wait ~5-10 minutes tops to get other coals going as well.. Works like a charm!- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Side question.. typically it is best to wait till the coals are
completely white correct? IE: recently in the news have been reports
of dangerous long term health risks of using charcoal.. I think that
was only if you didnt wait till the coals were ready?

Have you tried the flavor devices with gas before?

On May 10, 2:26 pm, markm75 > wrote:
>
> Side question.. typically it is best to wait till the coals are
> completely white correct? IE: recently in the news have been reports
> of dangerous long term health risks of using charcoal.. I think that
> was only if you didnt wait till the coals were ready?

Only if you're using Killford. If you use lump you shouldn't wait for
gray.

On May 10, 11:09 am, markm75 > wrote:
> I know this has been discussed to death in other parts.. but I'm
> wondering if this status has changed much in recent days...
>
> I'm still assuming I'll get the best flavor (charcoal flavor) with
> things like burgers and hot dogs on a purely charcoal grill...
>
> But now there are things like charcoal flavored devices that you can
> use on a gas grill (sorry I dont know much about these).. I've read
> the lava rocks arent always so great (they work from the fat dripping
> on them then the scent rising up through the food?)..
>
> So i'm faced with the decision of going gas or charcoal and getting a
> bigger (higher up vertically) type grill...
>
> Gas is clearly cheaper to use and faster to get going and less fuss,
> can i use any types of these flavor devices to at least come somewhat
> closer to the nice taste of a charcoal grill?
>
> I've also heard good things about cooking steaks on a gas grill using
> mesquite marinades and flavor bars etc...
>
> Either way i've seen decent size charcoal and gas grills for the same
> price, currently about $150 for the size/type i want...

As someone who's eyes have recently been opened, Go with a charcoal
Weber Kettle and get a Weber Performer if you can. The weber performer
has a propane starter and a neat way to discard the ashes. Next get
lump charcoal. I've been using a gas grill for decades and it is so
amazing to have new reasons to enjoy things like Ribeye steaks,
Heberew nationals, burgers, fish, eggplant,etc.. The flavor is amazing
and the "juicyness" that is retained from a charcoal BBQ is amazingly
better. I am still discovering the different smoking methods but so
far I like Pecan wood and Applewood along with my Mesquite or oak lump
Charcoal. Its my new opinion that Gas grills no matter what type of
propoganda "flavor-enhancers" do really nothing to the taste.

Joe

"EZ" > wrote in message
. net...
> Get both. Seriously. Use gas when you want a quick meal during the week
> and don't have the time to do charcoal. Use charcoal when you have the
> time, because usually it'll taste better.


Yep, I use a wood burning fire pit when I have the time. OTOH, to grill a
few sausages for dinner tonight, it was much easier to turn on a gas burner.
--
Ed
http://pages.cthome.net/edhome/

On 10 May, 22:39, Tutall > wrote:
> On May 10, 2:26 pm, markm75 > wrote:
>
>
>
> > Side question.. typically it is best to wait till the coals are
> > completely white correct? IE: recently in the news have been reports
> > of dangerous long term health risks of using charcoal.. I think that
> > was only if you didnt wait till the coals were ready?
>
> Only if you're using Killford. If you use lump you shouldn't wait for
> gray.

The advantages of gas:-
It's a bit cheaper; it's easier, its cleaner.

That's it!

Now think about enjoying the experience of food!

Think about preparing it, cooking it , getting involved with what
you're doing.
Experiment, try new things. Learn from other people and then, add
something of your own. make it individual!

Now ask yourself the question:- Where does gas fit into this picture?

Gas is quick. Cook it, eat it, go on to the next event.

With charcoal, the barbecue - in whatever form you choose to have it
- IS the event.

It starts with preparation, develops through cooking, is enjoyed
through eating and continues well after the last sausage is finished.

The charcoal fire is about shared experience. It's about mixing,
socialising and, above all, a passion and interest in good food.

It's the difference between a frozen burger grilled quickly grilled
and prime fresh steak beautifully cooked by someone who cares about
what they're doing.

I think I've made my views clear enough. What do you want for your
family and guests?

John
www.morgans-net.com

On May 10, 7:07 pm, JoeP > wrote:
> On May 10, 11:09 am, markm75 > wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > I know this has been discussed to death in other parts.. but I'm
> > wondering if this status has changed much in recent days...
>
> > I'm still assuming I'll get the best flavor (charcoal flavor) with
> > things like burgers and hot dogs on a purely charcoal grill...
>
> > But now there are things like charcoal flavored devices that you can
> > use on a gas grill (sorry I dont know much about these).. I've read
> > the lava rocks arent always so great (they work from the fat dripping
> > on them then the scent rising up through the food?)..
>
> > So i'm faced with the decision of going gas or charcoal and getting a
> > bigger (higher up vertically) type grill...
>
> > Gas is clearly cheaper to use and faster to get going and less fuss,
> > can i use any types of these flavor devices to at least come somewhat
> > closer to the nice taste of a charcoal grill?
>
> > I've also heard good things about cooking steaks on a gas grill using
> > mesquite marinades and flavor bars etc...
>
> > Either way i've seen decent size charcoal and gas grills for the same
> > price, currently about $150 for the size/type i want...
>
> As someone who's eyes have recently been opened, Go with a charcoal
> Weber Kettle and get a Weber Performer if you can. The weber performer
> has a propane starter and a neat way to discard the ashes. Next get
> lump charcoal. I've been using a gas grill for decades and it is so
> amazing to have new reasons to enjoy things like Ribeye steaks,
> Heberew nationals, burgers, fish, eggplant,etc.. The flavor is amazing
> and the "juicyness" that is retained from a charcoal BBQ is amazingly
> better. I am still discovering the different smoking methods but so
> far I like Pecan wood and Applewood along with my Mesquite or oak lump
> Charcoal. Its my new opinion that Gas grills no matter what type of
> propoganda "flavor-enhancers" do really nothing to the taste.
>
> Joe- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Hey thanks for the replies all.. Sorry if these questions are dumb or
ignorant.. I've been a couple a times a year griller until now:

Locally i had two friends say two different things.. one swears that
gas with those flavor devices does taste almost as good as charcoal..
while the other only uses gas if he's in a hurry. I still would think
that gas (without flavor bars) would be no different in taste than
using a foreman grill?

Online the general voting seems to be gas with flavor devices doesnt
yield anything (i had a few say otherwise though.. perhaps they were
tasting something others couldnt, i dont know)..

That weber gas ignition grill intrigued me.. However, other charcoal
grills like this one: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=5508760
I would think have much more surface area to cook on.. and that handy
charcoal removal device (I'm guessing based on what you said, the
weber gas one has some way to dispose of the ashes neatly too?)

$138 for more surface area and the use of lighter fluid and a striker
or $300 for the weber for ease of lighting (are there other advantages
too.. do you use lighter fluid)?

Do I have any of this close on the weber gas (ignition) grill part?
Would you say its area would definitely be less than that other one?

Finally, What is Killford.. is that a brand of charcoal? I cant
remember what brand I get at the store.. generally anything on sale..
often the stuff with lighter fluid already on them, though i guess
dumping your own on works better at times.. Arent those bags of coals
generally lump style? What is the other charcoal type?

I could have sworn i read something about the FDA recommending to wait
until the charcoal was completely white for health hazard reasons?

At this point i'm back to leaning on definitely going with the larger
grill (charcoal).. either the performer or the other one (I have a
small ground based weber currently).

Cheers

On May 10, 7:07 pm, JoeP > wrote:
> On May 10, 11:09 am, markm75 > wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > I know this has been discussed to death in other parts.. but I'm
> > wondering if this status has changed much in recent days...
>
> > I'm still assuming I'll get the best flavor (charcoal flavor) with
> > things like burgers and hot dogs on a purely charcoal grill...
>
> > But now there are things like charcoal flavored devices that you can
> > use on a gas grill (sorry I dont know much about these).. I've read
> > the lava rocks arent always so great (they work from the fat dripping
> > on them then the scent rising up through the food?)..
>
> > So i'm faced with the decision of going gas or charcoal and getting a
> > bigger (higher up vertically) type grill...
>
> > Gas is clearly cheaper to use and faster to get going and less fuss,
> > can i use any types of these flavor devices to at least come somewhat
> > closer to the nice taste of a charcoal grill?
>
> > I've also heard good things about cooking steaks on a gas grill using
> > mesquite marinades and flavor bars etc...
>
> > Either way i've seen decent size charcoal and gas grills for the same
> > price, currently about $150 for the size/type i want...
>
> As someone who's eyes have recently been opened, Go with a charcoal
> Weber Kettle and get a Weber Performer if you can. The weber performer
> has a propane starter and a neat way to discard the ashes. Next get
> lump charcoal. I've been using a gas grill for decades and it is so
> amazing to have new reasons to enjoy things like Ribeye steaks,
> Heberew nationals, burgers, fish, eggplant,etc.. The flavor is amazing
> and the "juicyness" that is retained from a charcoal BBQ is amazingly
> better. I am still discovering the different smoking methods but so
> far I like Pecan wood and Applewood along with my Mesquite or oak lump
> Charcoal. Its my new opinion that Gas grills no matter what type of
> propoganda "flavor-enhancers" do really nothing to the taste.
>
> Joe- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Curious.. where do you buy lump coal at? Most of the stuff in the
stores I've seen appears to be only briquettes?

Thanks