BBQing Gas or Charcoal?

[Izzy]

I was just cooking some beer brats on the grill. I am told in less civilized parts of the world they don't even have brats

Anyway what do you prefer? Gas or Charcoal?

[Jim Bryant]

I grew up in (Georgia) where charcoal was always used. However, since being married and the lack of patience my family has when it comes to grilling, I have been using gas.

I'd much rather use charcoal for grilling and maybe I will again one day. I hate using a gas grill.

[Gulf Coast Girl]

Gas is faster if you're in a hurry but my preference is charcoal. I don't like the briquettes with lighter fluid on them already either because it seems like they are saturated and you can taste a hint of the lighter fluid in the food.

I have one of those metal thingys that you put the briquettes in and then stuff newspaper in the bottom. You just use a small squirt of lighter fluid on the briquettes and light the newspaper on the bottom. 30 minutes later the briquettes are ready to pour into the grill. Spread the briquettes around and cook your food slowly at a nice even temperature.

For me it's a mix use situation. I use the charcoal grill at home. However I take the gas grill with side burner with me when I go camping. I like having the ability to quickly heat water on the gas grill. After a busy day out on the water or hiking it's nice to be able to quickly fix dinner and have have hot water to do the dishes.

[mad editor]

I used charcoal until I had a family. Gas grilling beame a great way to make family dinner quickly without heating up the house - roasts, turkey breasts, you name it.
Brats? I'd rather do Italian sausage or ribs, izzy.

[faeriegodess612]

Charcoal, all the way. But not just charcoal, you gotta have some apple wood, or hickory, or mesquite in the smoker section. It's not a grill if it doesnt have a smoker on the side. You won't see much propane at a BBQ contest. I'm a southern girl, so we smoke our meat. Here in Texas and back home. The best is the places that slow roast it in the smokers all night long. It's so tender and juicy it'll make you wanna slap yo Momma.

[dakwegmo]

For grilling, charcoal is the way to go for the best flavor. My in-laws have a charcoal grill that has a propane ignitor which is the best of both worlds. You get the speed of using gas, with all the flavor of charcoal.

Oh, and if you're ever in the south, the thing you grill meat on is a grill. Barbecue, or BBQ, refers to meat that has been smoked for hours over hardwood smoke.

[Niresangwa]

Who has time for charcoal? I mean really...

[SwissJon]

Originally Posted by faeriegodess612

Charcoal, all the way. But not just charcoal, you gotta have some apple wood, or hickory, or mesquite in the smoker section. It's not a grill if it doesnt have a smoker on the side. You won't see much propane at a BBQ contest. I'm a southern girl, so we smoke our meat. Here in Texas and back home. The best is the places that slow roast it in the smokers all night long. It's so tender and juicy it'll make you wanna slap yo Momma.

We smoke and cure meat round here too.. Each family has their own recipe.. Like Col Sanders.

Always charcoal. My wife had a gas grill when I met her but she was converted after she tasted my cooking.. Rosemary, thyme, sage on the coals and a bit on the grill to protect the meat and everything tastes yummy..

Lol.. Rosemary on a BBQ smells like someone smoking a big fat doobie!!

[NgaiHill]

What are brats?
I live in southern New Zealand, my BBQ doesn't get much of a workout! In fact it gets more use as a dog grooming table - with the cover on of course! Oh and its gad, not that much of a BBQ connoisseur to care about the difference in taste.

[Quo Fan]

For the purists, BBQ is about slow cooking at temperatures not to exceed about 200*F. Everything else is grilling.

That said, I grill with gas, because I'm impatient. Charcoal is better, but over hardwood coals is best. That imparts the best flavor to the meat. Different woods impart different flavors.