Coal is the only way.

[wingriderz]

To Barbque. I have bee called a Barbque snob for this. No offense to those that use gas but thats for amautres.Weber original kettle only way to go.Any member always welcome to taste test. Step away from the Gas lol

 

[Tyrod]

I prefer charcoal to 100% coal. Pure coal can leave an oily taste.

 

[robvious]

I too am called archaic or stuck in the past... but the magic that special black stuff infuses on all things edible is amazing... and I can taste the gas on anything the lazy people cook... I too am willing to put up my charcoal and hardwood cooked meets up to a taste test... and Webers have a magic touch as well...

 

[Onomea]

I think there are four possibilities, discounting propane and natural gas. Coal. Charcoal briquets. Natural charcoal. And wood.

I have a propane Weber and a Weber charcoal kettle. I gotta say, the charcoal tastes better, although it is more effort. I think there is a place for both.

In recent years I have, when using the kettle, been using briquets. Been thinking about trying to find natural charcoal again, though.

 

[DWalt]

For many years I have used a propane BBQ. Much easier than charcoal. I don't think I have ever heard of using coal, the type that comes from a mine. However, we got a George Foreman electric grill about two years ago, and haven't used the propane BBQ since. It works great for hamburgers and steaks. The only reason I am even keeping the propane BBQ is to use in case of an emergency for cooking if there is ever a prolonged electric power outage.

 

[coltle6920]

Yep,charcoal is the way to cook...if you don't mind everything having the same charcoal taste.

Let's not forget polluting the air and sucking in that secondhand smoke.

Seriously,Guys.do whatever you want.I pray that you get enough coal in your stocking at Christmas to last the whole summer.

 

[Onomea]

Interesting about the electric grill, DWalt. The convenience appeals to me, but I have just assumed they don't get hot enough to get that appealing sear on the outside of a burger or a steak. What say you? Yes? No?

 

[Tom S.]

To Barbque. I have bee called a Barbque snob for this. No offense to those that use gas but thats for amautres.Weber original kettle only way to go.Any member always welcome to taste test. Step away from the Gas lol

So you use coal and not charcoal? Hmmm.....

 

[DWalt]

Interesting about the electric grill, DWalt. The convenience appeals to me, but I have just assumed they don't get hot enough to get that appealing sear on the outside of a burger or a steak. What say you? Yes? No?

They will burn meat black if that's how you like it. You can set the temperature to whatever you want, although for most things we leave it at around 350. I think George made much more money off the grill than he ever did as a boxer.

 

[Onomea]

I like it seared on the outside, medium or even medium rare on the inside.

I'm thinking an electric grill and a butane kitchen torch for the sear might be just the ticket.

 

[Tyrod]

Char is the burning of wood in an oxygen deprived chamber. Most of the inorganics are burnt off leaving most of the carbon energy. The process is very similar to turning coal into coke. Coal, on the other hand, is coal. It is the fossilized remains of plants that existed millions upon millions of years ago which has undergone concentration and compaction. The coal is ground up. The char is diced into manageable sized bits. Then the coal is hydrated and mixed with the char, poured into moulds and left to dry, viola, Kingsford charcoal briquets. AFAIK Kingsford sells various unprocessed hardwoods, char, charcoal, and coal for your outdoor grilling needs.

But, for the record, I agree with the op. If you're going to grill on a gas outdoor grill, you might as well do your cooking on an indoor gas range.

 

[rockquarry]

No winners here. This is Ford vs. Chevrolet vs. Dodge...

 

[Boxhead]

Agree, but I really like oak too.

 

[wingriderz]

So you use coal and not charcoal? Hmmm.....

No I should have listed as charcoal

 

[STCM(SW)]

I also use Charcoal in the grill and in the smoker.
Best baby back ribs are dry rubbed seasoning and in the smoker are always tender and never burnt like a Propane grill.

I'll take the charcoal, you can keep the gas....

 

[Tinhack]

Briquettes? You might as well order out for Pizza! Nah, you're not going to get a true barbeque flavor out of bag. You gotta start with a load of seasoned logs off the Mesquite pile. Get the fire going in the morning and tap a few kegs to last until the grill is ready for dinner. We take our barbeque serious down here in Texas.

 

[tops]

To Barbque. I have bee called a Barbque snob for this. No offense to those that use gas but thats for amautres.Weber original kettle only way to go.Any member always welcome to taste test. Step away from the Gas lol

I've had the beef in Texas and I've had cow, hog and deer cooked on gas and wood and it is all good but the best is hog cooked with wood.
Build a Hickory fire off to the side and shovel the coals (embers) under the meat. It takes 12 to 18 hours and a bunch of wood. Larry

 

[kwselke]

To Barbque. I have bee called a Barbque snob for this. No offense to those that use gas but thats for amautres.Weber original kettle only way to go.Any member always welcome to taste test. Step away from the Gas lol

Do you use Anthracite, Bituminous, Sub-bituminous, or Lignite coal? I personally prefer pure woods for barbecuing/smoking. Hardwood charcoal, gas, and lastly those briquette things are good for grilling. Never had food cooked on coal.

 

[chaparrito]

Our local WalMart sells gigantic bags of natural mesquite charcoal from Mexico. It's the best!
Coal? Not sure I'd want that petroleum-like scent perfuming my pork.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Our grilling evolution

Webber charcoal
Offbrand propane and briquettes
Off brand electric
Webber propane

I think we'll stick with the Webber propane.