Gas or Charcoal?

elchrist · Posted: 03 Mar 2003 10:11 AM Post subject: Gas or Charcoal?

I'm thinking about buying a portable grill that I can use both at home and away from home (beach, camping, etc.), but am indecisive on choosing between gas (propane) or charcoal.

I kind of like the gas one because of ease of setup and cleanup, but I'm a bit old-fashioned and prefer to use charcoal. I just don't plan on cooking carne asada on it either, but also chicken, fish, vegetables and whatever can be grilled.

So my question is... Have any of you grilled or tasted any food, besides carne asade, on both a gas and charcoal grill? Which do you prefer? Did you taste much of a difference?

I'm curious to see what your thoughts and opinions are on this matter.

Mr.Tasty · Posted: 03 Mar 2003 08:25 PM Post subject:

You can't go wrong with propane and propane accessories.

chainsmokinmonkey · Posted: 03 Mar 2003 11:23 PM Post subject:

watts · Posted: 04 Mar 2003 03:18 PM Post subject:

I happen to own a propane BBQ grill and I would say that it just doesn't seem to get as hot as charcoal grills (even with the ceramic briquettes that come with it). I love the ease of use, and quick startup time but there is something about starting a fire with charcoal that just doesn't compare. Maybe I don't own a good one but I don't think you could go wrong with a Weber grill (charcoal or gas-powered). I plan on buying a Weber Kettle grill to smoke/grill foods as well.

spic-ole · Posted: 04 Mar 2003 04:27 PM Post subject:

Charcoal, butane, propane, it's all the same. It's the guy cooking the meat that makes the difference.

Charcoal gives it that certain flavor you can't get with anything else.

Propane is so much more convenient.

And butane, who uses butane? Isn't that what I have in my cigarette lighter?

I've eaten meat that was cooked on charcoal and meat cooked on propane, and they were both good, although, I've eaten some meat that was cooked on charcoal and propane and it sucked.

It all depends on convenience. What's more convenient for you? Pick that one. You might decide that solar panel grills are best for you.

Mars · Posted: 04 Mar 2003 05:52 PM Post subject:

I'd go for charcol because gas grills start faster but it takes longer to cook. With charcoal all you need is a bag of Match light and your set carne asada is done in about five minutes.

elchrist · Posted: 04 Mar 2003 09:21 PM Post subject:

I bought a small portable gas grill today, set it up, and cooked some arachera from Sol. The carne asada came out good, but something was different. It seemed to have lacked a little flavor.

What Mars brought up about taking longer to cook is completely true. I had to put the first batch back on the grill after finding out that it was still a little raw inside. Maybe it was just the meat, since it was a little thick. I'm going to try some diesmillo next time. Then I'll go into grilling some fish, chicken and more.

chainsmokinmonkey · Posted: 05 Mar 2003 12:00 AM Post subject:

the last time i ate something grilled on a gas grill, i was able to taste the gas. i could never figure out what it was, so i decided i'd just stick with charcoal. the only plus i could see with propane is that it will last longer than charcoal, thus making it less expensive in the long run. let us know if you run into that gassy taste any time soon.

Mars · Posted: 05 Mar 2003 09:25 AM Post subject:

chainsmokinmonkey · Posted: 05 Mar 2003 11:26 PM Post subject: