Charcoal grilling

[ryanfx]

I'm used to grilling on gas but I've never tried on charcoal.. I'm moving into a house soon where there will be a grill and I was hoping you all would be able to give some input.

Tips? Suggestions? How do you like it compared to gas? Worth the aggravation?

[GP99GT]

definitely a different flavor, but id rather use gas just because its so easy...charcoal may be cheaper in the long run if you have a lot of BBQs and stuff where you'd have the grill going all day.

but, i dont think anything beats battery operated electronic ignition

[Tru2Chevy]

Charcoal definitely has a different (better, IMO) flavor, but you'll have to keep the lighter fluid to a bare minimum. Invest in a charcoal lighter if you wanna be serious about it:

http://www.rainbowappliance.com/7416.html (you can find them much cheaper elsewhere)

Basically you fill the top with charcoal, and then stuff newspapers or similar into the bottom, then set it on top of the grill. Once the charcoal is good and hot, you use the handle to toss them into the grill, and then you're all set.

- Justin

[NastyEllEssWon]

stack the charcoal in a pyramid during the lighting. douse it good with lighter fluid....think thats enough??? pour some more on....light it and get wit hteh better taste

[ar0ck]

I'm with Justin on using a charcoal lighter, the taste is greatly improved because it eliminates the need for lighter fluid, which to me I can taste in my burgers no matter how much is used. It take a few extra minutes but worth it in the long run. You can pick one up just about anywhere and its not that expensive.

[Teds89IROC]

the flavor is so much better, that's what we use at my shore house

[baddest434]

the flavor is so much better, that's what we use at my shore house

lol thats what i use in my "shore" house in denville. yep i go north, they go south, on the way home on sunday i cruise they sit in traffic. it's great.

[GP99GT]

i guess im the only lazy one.

and bill, denvilles like 15 mins from me...lets throw a party

[foff667]

I just use a charcoal chimney as suggested($15 at lowes/home depot) or you could make one for probably $5.

It takes about 20 minutes to get the coal's going properly but I love grilling now more than ever.

I've owned propane grills in the past and after a couple of years the ignition would give me issues so I had to start them with a match anyways...obviously they are much faster getting up to temp but depending on how much you spend you'll find hot spots, etc. I use about $3 in charcoal to grill up 0-30 burgers or more and my grill only costed about $30(weber knock off) and its worked fine. If I were to get another propane I wouldn't buy a cheap one as I know how crappy they can be now so would likely be spending $400+ on something decent...large difference in price & as stated there is a different(better imo) flavor with charcoal.

Look at the 20 minutes waiting for the coals to get going as prep time so you can prep your burgers & such...thats pretty much what I do while waiting for it.

[CHRIS67]

I have a Craftsman combo grill, gas or charcoal. Nice to buy the natural charcoal and start it with the propane. Zero lighter fluid. :mrgreen:

[Whiplash Performance]

Charcoal grilling taste is 1000x better IMO. But its a pain to get it started.

[Teds89IROC]

lol thats what i use in my "shore" house in denville. yep i go north, they go south, on the way home on sunday i cruise they sit in traffic. it's great.

What the hell do you do up here?? :lol: Summer = beach and boats, I think you're backwards lol

[misterjuice]

I douse my steak in lighter fluid before i throw it on the grill...it gives a nice crisp searing on the outside, and very flavorful haha

[foff667]

Charcoal grilling taste is 1000x better IMO. But its a pain to get it started.

Again using a charcoal chimney makes it 10000x easier, just light it & forget it(for 20 mins that is) ;)

[NastyEllEssWon]

wow charcoal chimneys? has america got that lazy. hahah i like seeing my 10 foot high lighter fluid plume when i light it

[NJ Torque]

strickland propane, taste the meat not the heat.

[Tru2Chevy]

wow charcoal chimneys? has america got that lazy. hahah i like seeing my 10 foot high lighter fluid plume when i light it

Sure it looks cool, but all that lighter fluid messes with the taste.

- Justin

[Ian]

strickland propane, taste the meat not the heat.

Great "King of the Hill" reference!

Sure it looks cool, but all that lighter fluid messes with the taste.

- Justin

Very true.

[Tru2Chevy]

This thread makes me want to find the pics of our old Rutgers BBQs with j0n lighting the grill :)

- Justin

[bubba428]

don't you mean duke island with me lighting the grill and james looking very nervous near an open flame?

[deadtrend1]

don't you mean duke island with me lighting the grill and james looking very nervous near an open flame?

nah. the Rutgers pics are funnier

[bubba428]

found

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/FistFullOfDinero/July/IMG_1247.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/FistFullOfDinero/July/IMG_1251.jpg

that was some damn good steak, charcoal FTMFW

[Tru2Chevy]

Trust me Bubba....that doesn't hold a flame (pun intended) to what we used to (somehow) get away with at the Rutgers apartments on Cook. Lots of crazy nights spent there....

- Justin

[bubba428]

nice, you just gave me an idea though


PMing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ian]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/FistFullOfDinero/July/IMG_1247.jpg


WTF is Liz doing? :lol:

[Tru2Chevy]

WTF is Liz doing? :lol:

Her "Amstel Dance" maybe....was Little G there? :lol:

- Justin

[foff667]

mmmm just had some grilled hamburgers for lunch....

yummy :D

[z28rob18]

hey dont grill me if this is a stupid wuestion (that was stupid) how do you keep the coals hot once you get em goin? im thinkin bout gettin one of them cheap $60 grills and bbqin

[NastyEllEssWon]

just keep em from ashing over and theyll be fine add some more coal when it turns to ash

[CHRIS67]

just keep em from ashing over and theyll be fine add some more coal when it turns to ash

Just don't add the match light charcoal or your food will taste like lighter fluid. The best is the all natural lump charcoal!! Great flavor and no chemicals binding the coal together.

[Saitin]

Charcoal will taste the best but takes a bit of skill unless you get one of those lighters
Good BBQ is an art!!

[baddest434]

[
i guess im the only lazy one.

and bill, denvilles like 15 mins from me...lets throw a party

matt you would have loved the parties i used to throw up there. but i've given up drinking for over 10 years now so i don't throw quite the same parties as i used to. i know i suck :mrgreen:


What the hell do you do up here?? :lol: Summer = beach and boats, I think you're backwards lol

ted i got a house on a private lake. plenty of large/small mouth bass pickeral and sunnies. thats all i do up there is fish. we have horsehoe pits basketball / tennis courts, softball field and more down at the athletic field. very friggin peaceful and away from all the bennies:lol:

i can go to the beach anytime it's only 5 miles from my house but i hate the crowds there.

[Teds89IROC]

[
ted i got a house on a private lake. plenty of large/small mouth bass pickeral and sunnies. thats all i do up there is fish. we have horsehoe pits basketball / tennis courts, softball field and more down at the athletic field. very friggin peaceful and away from all the bennies:lol:

i can go to the beach anytime it's only 5 miles from my house but i hate the crowds there.

That sounds nice, my house up here in North Haledon has a small lake behind it so by the time the really warm weather comes I'd rather head south to the beach :lol:

and for the record, I'm no benny! lol, we've owned the house and property since the 70's.....we're not just memorial day - labor day weekend warriors :lol:

[ryanfx]

[


matt you would have loved the parties i used to throw up there. but i've given up drinking for over 10 years now so i don't throw quite the same parties as i used to. i know i suck :mrgreen:




ted i got a house on a private lake. plenty of large/small mouth bass pickeral and sunnies. thats all i do up there is fish. we have horsehoe pits basketball / tennis courts, softball field and more down at the athletic field. very friggin peaceful and away from all the bennies:lol:

i can go to the beach anytime it's only 5 miles from my house but i hate the crowds there.

Where's my invitation? It get lost in the mail?

[Squirrel]

Where's my invitation? It get lost in the mail?

Yeah, it fell victim the same way your man card did... missy

[GP99GT]

[


matt you would have loved the parties i used to throw up there. but i've given up drinking for over 10 years now so i don't throw quite the same parties as i used to. i know i suck :mrgreen:


thats fine, ill just drink twice as much for you :lol:

someone get a hold of melissa, she should have the pictures from Rutgers

[GP99GT]

nevermind, found a couple on myspace

http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/22/l_b8c530b6a0f053ab146c79ce42a9a80c.jpg

http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/39/l_fb1e9b495edd453ae23204d4734cd87e.jpg

http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/43/l_538fa847f539519c28872e371097bd29.jpg


many other things happened last night, such as the flaming hamburger, flaming sidewalk, megan being one with the shrubbery :lol:

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/1/l_774d7fcca83cf7e5c9266b7509895bf7.jpg

[Syzygy]

that grills got a gangsta lean

[7998]

Charcoal does have a better flavor, but is a pita at first. I only use it for ribs and pulled pork, to much ag for burgers or hot dogs.
I use lighter fluid and regular charcoal. The trick is to let the fluid burn off for a while, if you don't it will taste like ass.
Also some properly soaked wood chips works wonders.