Discussion
I was an avid charcoal person until one of the neighbours died 18 months ago and gave us their gas BBQ, Didn't use it for a while but tried it and it was great - controllable, can cook items slower, got an open grill and a hotplate side so less meat dropping into the coal, and convenient. We had quiet a few BBQ's after I got home last year as it takes about 15 minutes to get it set up and cook something which I'd never be able to do with the charcoal. Bit of meat and some salad or bread and hey presto, meal in the garden with a cold beer.
Have to disagree with there being no taste difference though - more flavour using charcoal (not briquettes).
Still use the charcoal BBQ at weekends though.
FFG
Have to disagree with there being no taste difference though - more flavour using charcoal (not briquettes).
Still use the charcoal BBQ at weekends though.
FFG
RevsPerMinute said:
Hickory smoked beer can chicken? Good luck with that in your Neff.
Four racks of sticky smoked spare ribs? 8 hour Pulled pork? Mesquite smoked brisket, cedar planked salmon fillets...
Oh sorry, you must be a veggie.
So it's basically all smoked stuff or cheap meat larded with sweeteners - think I'll pass, thanks. Four racks of sticky smoked spare ribs? 8 hour Pulled pork? Mesquite smoked brisket, cedar planked salmon fillets...
Oh sorry, you must be a veggie.
FlipFlopGriff said:
...We had quiet a few BBQ's after I got home...
Coincidentally that's what I did yesterday, came home, opened a beer, lit the charcoal and cooked some lovely angus burgers and a couple of sausages for dinner. I don't get why people have problems with charcoal, just use one fire lighter (you can't taste it) and build the charcoal into a pyramid over the top. Give 10 mins, before spreading it out a bit and adding more charcoal according to how much you want to cook. Ready to use in 30 mins. 
RichB said:
Coincidentally that's what I did yesterday, came home, opened a beer, lit the charcoal and cooked some lovely angus burgers and a couple of sausages for dinner. I don't get why people have problems with charcoal, just use one fire lighter (you can't taste it) and build the charcoal into a pyramid over the top. Give 10 mins, before spreading it out a bit and adding more charcoal according to how much you want to cook. Ready to use in 30 mins.
I use one fire lighter but always took more than 30 minutes to get going, hence using the gas grill. Maybe I just cook too much as I usually cook for about 3 hours, and just do what is need with the gas and turn it off. If I still had hot coals I'd want to cook more.Those thick burgers are lovely. I always cut a slice of extra mature cheddar to put on the top after I've turned it - delicious.
I don't get home until about 6-6.30 so starting to get dark by the time I get outside plus living in an area with lots of green and trees there are lots of nasty creatures knocking about at dusk. Been bitten loads and its no fun.
FFG
We did a lot of research last year for the barbecue we eventually bought. There was a similar PH thread on here last year, too.
Firstly, we discounted Outback. Excellent quality a few years ago, but they appear to have gone downhill.
We looked seriously at charcoal and didn't want to give it up, but we both wanted the ease of gas combined with cooking outdoors on our new wooden decking.
After upping our budget quite heavily, and negotiating a lot, we ended up with a Weber Genesis. Can't fault the quality. Incredibly easy to use. Incredibly easy to clean. Great results. Admittedly, all this is expected at the price.
Yes, I agree, they're not barbecues and are outdoor grilles, but we love it. It works for us. We use it a lot, even in winter.
The slightly out-of-focus meat is two large spitroasted chickens.
Firstly, we discounted Outback. Excellent quality a few years ago, but they appear to have gone downhill.
We looked seriously at charcoal and didn't want to give it up, but we both wanted the ease of gas combined with cooking outdoors on our new wooden decking.
After upping our budget quite heavily, and negotiating a lot, we ended up with a Weber Genesis. Can't fault the quality. Incredibly easy to use. Incredibly easy to clean. Great results. Admittedly, all this is expected at the price.
Yes, I agree, they're not barbecues and are outdoor grilles, but we love it. It works for us. We use it a lot, even in winter.
The slightly out-of-focus meat is two large spitroasted chickens.
Our last charcoal BBQ took an hour from start to finish (marinaded chicken & some burgers), so easy with a chimney starter as mentioned by others above.
A Weber kettle is a great thing as you can do so much more with it than an open grill, we have done beer can chickens, fillet of pork etc & so much more to try yet, can't wait
A Weber kettle is a great thing as you can do so much more with it than an open grill, we have done beer can chickens, fillet of pork etc & so much more to try yet, can't wait
The trick to cooking chicken on the BBQ is blasting it in the microwave first.
I bought a 4 burner+side burner stainless off ebay & it's done well. Much better/cheaper than the sort of stuff you see in the hardware shops (except for Weber). (£220 iirc)
I occasionally use the normal briquette BBQ, but gas is very convenient & allows one to time/control the heat better when you have a mixed bag of different meats. We BBQ quick often & can't be arsed with "the occasion" of real fire every time.
I bought a 4 burner+side burner stainless off ebay & it's done well. Much better/cheaper than the sort of stuff you see in the hardware shops (except for Weber). (£220 iirc)
I occasionally use the normal briquette BBQ, but gas is very convenient & allows one to time/control the heat better when you have a mixed bag of different meats. We BBQ quick often & can't be arsed with "the occasion" of real fire every time.
RevsPerMinute said:
First off, There is no taste difference between gas and charcoal.
That's nonsense. I have been outdoor grilling for over 30 years, gas doesn't impart the depth of flavour you obtain through charcoal, and it's also never as hot. I have various smoking chips, smoker box etc, although would never consider doing rib of beef, leg of lamb on the gas.They all have there pros and cons, which is why I have 3 for different occasions/uses. Weber Genesis for weekday lazy cooking and parties, 21" Kettle for the big stuff and weekends, Smokey Joe for beach/camping etc. Picture from the temporary set-up whilst we finish the building works.
Edited by bigdom on Thursday 16th April 14:21
bigdom said:
RevsPerMinute said:
First off, There is no taste difference between gas and charcoal.
That's nonsense. I have been outdoor grilling for over 30 years, gas doesn't impart the depth of flavour you obtain through charcoal, and it's also never as hot. I have various smoking chips, smoker box etc, although would never consider doing rib of beef, leg of lamb on the gas.They all have there pros and cons, which is why I have 3 for different occasions/uses. Weber Genesis for weekday lazy cooking and parties, 21" Kettle for the big stuff and weekends, Smokey Joe for beach/camping etc. Picture from the temporary set-up whilst we finish the building works.
The difference might just be down to heat, as you suggested, but if you're using a decent gas BBQ which can get hot enouhg there shouldn't be any difference.
^^ doesn't alter the fact that the point of using charcoal instead of wood is that it's odourless. Otherwise just cook on your bonfire...
I must be odd as I don't have an opinion on which is 'better'. I love the convenience of gas, but I do love the 'realness' of charcoal.
Before marriage and kids, my mates and i used to BBQ alot in the summer, always charcoal, and always loads of meat. The cooking/eating used to go on all day (alongside the drinking, clearly).
I must be odd as I don't have an opinion on which is 'better'. I love the convenience of gas, but I do love the 'realness' of charcoal.
Before marriage and kids, my mates and i used to BBQ alot in the summer, always charcoal, and always loads of meat. The cooking/eating used to go on all day (alongside the drinking, clearly).
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