Evening Edge

By BBQ King

Jul 6, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this

First of all, Gas is Grilling, charcoal (started without petrol) or wood is for BBQ - and those fish and chicken recipes aren't BBQ either.
Real BBQ takes time, patience, planning, practice, and most of all, a few cold beers.
Start with your Curing Solutions, Dry Rubs, Mop Sauce, don't dry it out, don't get it above 250-275.
And if you are BBQing a big piece, like a whole Butt or Picnic, or even half a pig, it takes a long time.
Check out The Virtual Weber Bullet website (Google it) they have lots of recipe's and How To articles, in addition to good advice on how to set up the Weber Smokey Mountain Smoker for perfect results.
Even if you don't use weber, check it out.
Great article on how to prepare Brisket.

By Angela

Jul 6, 2008 5:50 PM | Link to this

Charcoal is the best...gas is quick...and usually burns the food...my fiance swears by gas...I can't stand it...someone come over and teach him what the true pros use!!!

By Mark

Jul 6, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this

Gas grills are for amateurs, and the lazy.

By chopper

Jun 9, 2008 9:49 PM | Link to this

charcoal kicks ***

By John Manderfield

May 26, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this

Charcoal update: this past Saturday I prepped some shrimp skewers to grill at the local pool. Threw some shrimp in a bag of garlic paste, olive oil, lemon juice & fresh oregano and headed up to start the coals. Who would I meet up but my nemesis Skip King (photo above), the alleged "King of Gas". Turns out he was already grilling a bunch of burgers on the charcoal Weber. When he pulled off his burgers I threw down my shrimp and grilled them to perfection. Later he was nosing around for leftovers and he jumped at the chance to sample the shrimp. Actually, the whole pool ended up with more than I did. I think Skip the Gas Man is coming around to charcoal now.

By L-Dogg

May 22, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this

Definitely charcoal. No debate at all. And with a chimney starter, there is no lighter fluid aftertaste and it starts super fast.

By b3dII

May 22, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this

I want to cook with gas, I'll go to the stove in the kitchen. If I want a manly meal, I cook with wood or charcoal. Cooking with either will bring out the flavor of foods, regardless if its meat or veggies

By jakesdad

May 22, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this

I have both and from a flavor standpoint there's nothing to debate - charcoal rules! notice you don't see people saying gas makes a BETTER flavor, just arguing (wrongly) that it's as good. I also think I've solved the time problem for charcoal: I put the charcoal in a chimney and put the chimney on my cajun cooker for a few minutes - jumpstarts it like it's its job!

that said I still use my gas grill some - there are some foods (most seafood for example) where you typically DON'T want the smokey flavor imparted (or you just may not be in the mood for it).

By Blaque

May 22, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this

I feel that charcoal is the best medium for grilling. It is something about man and fire that makes grilling more of an experience than a chore. For those that have an issue with the lighter fluid taste, I suggest that you mix 1/3 match light to 2/3 regular coals. Also, if you properly position your coals in the grill you should not have any issues with temp control.

By Jeff

May 21, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this

If you're just dropping slabs of meat on a grill, then by all means use charcoal. If you're actually doing some cooking that requires skill, use gas, it will allow you to properly cook the meat to perfection.