BBQ: Gas or coal?

[Morrigoon]

Just for fun...

Which kind of BBQ grill do you prefer to cook with?

I grew up with gas, so of course I prefer the convenience and manageability of a gas grill. They're easier to heat up, pretty much ready whenever.

My boyfriend, on the other hand, is a traditionalist. He grew up with charcoal, and in his mind it's the only way to go.

Guess which grill we have :rolleyes:

[Morrigoon]

(Crap, forgot to add the poll...)

[Alex]

In a perfect world where I have assistants to do the boring stuff charcoal. In the real world, gas. The convenience outweighs the slight taste advantages.

[Promo-Man]

It's Gas for me.

[katiesue]

I have gas, easier. I'd never do charcoal plus our apartments say you can't use them (although I'm not sure how they'd ever know).

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Coal. Gas may be easier, but food cooked by coal fire tastes better, IMO.

[Snowflake]

hardwood briquets only way to go! Flavor!

[Ghoulish Delight]

A properly seasoned gas grill can taste just as good as coal. I grew up with coal, switched to gas. I won't say that I'd "never go back", 'cause there's a certain amount of fun-factor with coal. But, any very slight taste difference is more than offset, imo, by the convenience and consistency of gas.

[Capt Jack]

charcoal. preferably a hibachi although my Webber has done pretty well over these past years (decades?).

[Moonliner]

Coal. With one of these little gizmos (http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1290264)it's hardly more effort than gas.

[Morrigoon]

Except for that whole not being able to bring a lighter and raw meat to the grill at nearly the same time thing.

[Prudence]

We don't have room for either, so we have an electric. :( We are but BBQ wannabees.

[BarTopDancer]

Coal. But I have to use gas. I have to say that after it was broken in I could hardly tell the difference. You gotta have coal for marshmallows though.

[tracilicious]

Gas. We barbecue almost every day in the summer. It would get way too expensive with coal. That and the grill that's built into our patio is gas, so I guess we don't have much of a choice.

[Tref]

Paint chips.

[RStar]

Coal. With one of these little gizmos (http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1290264)it's hardly more effort than gas.
For coal:

1) find some newspaper and crumple it up
2) stuff in the paper
3) get the charcoal and pour it in, getting black all over.
4) find the matches, light the paper
5) light the paper again, add more paper as needed
6) wait 20-30 minutes, pour into cleaned tray
7) if not enough heat, repeat steps 1-6
8) blow on coals to make them burn even
9) put on meat
10) if heat going out, repeat 1-6

For gas:

1) turn knob
2) press button
3) put meat on

Gee, let me see? GAS!

Now, for those who need the extra flavor, wood chips work great! Also, the flavorings you add to the meat make so much more of a difference than gas or coal. Also, the gas is better for the environment.

[€uroMeinke]

Coal - for the simple pyro-pleasure of enhanced ignition

[wendybeth]

Paint chips.

Lead based? Now you're talking some good bbq there, Tref!



(We have a gas grill that never gets used).

[Not Afraid]

I'd probably BBQ more if I had a gas grill, but I am a coal purist. I know, it doesn't make sense, but so what. ;)

[Capt Jack]

Coal - for the simple pyro-pleasure of enhanced ignition

at least someone finally admitted it :D

[RStar]

Well, that's true. I do like to burn things.

That's what I do with most of the food I put on the Bar-B!

Burned to perfection is my moto!

[alphabassettgrrl]

While I admit the pyro aspect of charcoal is decidedly appealing, we have a gas grill. I'd never use it if it was charcoal.

If I'm camping that's another story. Real fire all the way.

[Gemini Cricket]

Coal to cook with.
Gas afterwards.