Charcoal grilling
 

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?

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

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

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

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.

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.

i guess im the only lazy one.

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

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.

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:

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

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

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

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

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

strickland propane, taste the meat not the heat.

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

- Justin

Great "King of the Hill" reference!

Very true.

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

- Justin

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

found

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...y/IMG_1247.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...y/IMG_1251.jpg

that was some damn good steak, charcoal FTMFW

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

nice, you just gave me an idea though


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

WTF is Liz doing? :lol: